• It’s best to thaw a frozen chicken overnight in the fridge.
• Put the chicken in a large bowl or on a plate to prevent the juices from dripping in the fridge.
• A good rule of thumb to follow: 500g of chicken takes about five hours to thaw.
• Always thaw chicken completely before cooking. Check inside the cavity to make sure there is no more ice. Also check that the giblets have been removed.

Never refreeze defrosted chicken.

• Marinades made from sugar or salt will help tenderise the chicken, while acidic marinades (lemon juice or vinegar) will change the texture of the chicken. Don’t leave chicken for too long in an acidic marinade though – the meat may become dry and stringy.
• Use one chopping board to prep the chicken and another for the marinade ingredients. Don’t forget to use two separate knives as well – or wash the knife you used to cut the chicken with in hot soapy water to prevent cross-contamination.
• Mix the chicken and marinade in a closed container, and pop into the fridge for between three and 12 hours. Glass or ceramic dishes are best; aluminium dishes can give the chicken a metallic taste.
• Don’t have a lot of time? Even 15 to 20 minutes of marinating the meat can make a difference

• Always refrigerate or freeze chicken as soon as possible after you buy it. Use an insulated bag to keep the chicken cool on your trip home from the shops.
• If the packaging is damaged or soggy and you’re going to cook the chicken within two days, remove the chicken, pat it dry with kitchen paper and put onto a plate. Cover the chicken with clingwrap or tinfoil, and pop the plate onto the bottom rack of the fridge. This way, it won’t contaminate other food if any juice drips.
• Fresh chicken is safe to keep in the fridge for one to two days. If you’re not sure when you’ll use it, freeze it immediately.
• If you’re planning to freeze the chicken, remove the packaging, pat the meat dry and reseal in an airtight bag. Always check the packaging to see how long the chicken can be kept frozen.
• Unsure if the chicken in your fridge has gone off? If it’s past the best-by date, don’t take a chance. Throw it away. Chicken that has gone off has a foul smell, a greyish tinge and might feel slimy to the touch.
• If you have any leftovers, cooked parts (thighs, breasts, legs or wings) can be kept in the fridge for about two days. A whole cooked chicken is safe to refrigerate for up to three days.

• Never let raw chicken come into contact with other food, whether it’s cooked or uncooked.
• Use a separate chopping board and knife when you work with raw chicken to prevent cross-contamination (when germs are unintentionally transferred from one substance or object to another).
• Wash everything that comes into contact with raw chicken with hot, soapy water – this includes your hands, chopping boards, dishes, knives, kitchen cloths and any surfaces.
• Make sure your chicken is cooked through properly to kill any harmful bacteria