Maintain a Safe Temperature

• As long as you kept the chicken refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit for no more than two days, it's perfectly safe to refreeze boneless chicken, according to the USDA. If the chicken was previously frozen, it should have been thawed in the refrigerator, rather than at room temperature. Following these two rules ensures that the chicken is safe to freeze and eat later. Chicken sometimes carries bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. If the poultry is stored at room temperature for more than two hours, this bacteria can multiply quickly, increasing the risk of illness.

Refreeze Only Quality Chicken

• When it comes to taste and texture, refreezing boneless chicken may reduce the quality slightly because the meat loses moisture during thawing. However, frozen chicken that was previously cooked tends to lose moisture and quality more quickly than raw chicken, and refreezing chicken is a much better option than having to throw it away because it sat in the refrigerator too long. Keep in mind, however, that freezing doesn't improve the quality of foods. If the boneless chicken was already freezer-burned, freezing it again won't improve it. Start with high-quality, boneless chicken, though, and you'll be happy with the results.

Wrap It Up

• How well boneless chicken fares in the freezer depends mostly on how you package it. Wrap chicken tightly in plastic wrap or place it in freezer bags or freezer-safe containers. Squeeze out as much air as you can. Label the chicken with the date and freeze it for up to nine months at zero degrees Fahrenheit. The chicken will last indefinitely if it is kept frozen, but the quality begins to decline after a few months.

Cook It Tonight

• When you're ready to use the boneless chicken, place it a bowl in its original wrappings in the refrigerator to thaw overnight. You can also place it in a bowl in the sink and run cold water over it to thaw it more quickly. Just be sure to replace the water every 30 minutes so it stays cool enough to safely thaw the meat. If thawing poultry in the sink, place it in a sealed plastic bag. Water leaking into the chicken as it thaws might introduce bacteria and can also give it a watery texture. Boneless chicken thawed in the sink takes between one and three hours to defrost, depending on the amount of chicken you have. Once thawed, boneless chicken can be grilled, poached, sauteed or baked and used in myriad dishes, such as chicken salad, enchiladas or chicken soup.