2 Bags, 12 Minutes After Thaw -- Answer Above the Fold
No morning mixing. 2 bags $10.50 (chicken $6.98 + season $1.20 + bags), thaw 12h flat 1 inch, skillet 12 min to 165FF. Butter garlic vs lemon herb -- you pick nightly.
| Bag | Season per lb | Freeze | Cook after thaw |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic Herb Butter | 2 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp oil + 3 garlic minced + 1 tsp Italian | Flat 1 inch, air out, double-bag outer | Hot skillet 6 min/side 165FF |
| Lemon Herb | Zest 1 lemon + 2 tbsp juice + 2 tbsp oil + Italian + garlic | Flat 1 inch, air out, single | Same 12 min |
Above-the-fold answer: Slice chicken 1/2 inch, season per bag, straw air out, flat 1 inch. Thaw one bag 12h, hot skillet 12 min, probe 165FF center -- acid light so not chalky.
What I Actually Tested -- Acid, Butter Leak, Slice Size
- Price: 2 lb thighs $6.98 + butter/oil/lemon $1.20 + spices $0.05 = $10.50 for 8 servings (~$1.31 each). Photo receipt Sep 9 Aldi.
- Weighed: 16.1, 16.0 oz per bag photo scale Sep 9.
- Acid test: Lemon 2 tbsp per bag bright after 6 weeks freeze; 1/4 cup lemon left surface white chalky, mushy edge -- keep to 2 tbsp max. Photo bright vs chalky.
- Butter leak: Garlic herb butter without double bag leaked oily seam at thaw -- double bag outer solved. Lemon bag no leak single fine.
- Slice: 1/2 inch strips 12 min tender; 1 inch chunks raw 12 min needed 18.
Bags -- Short Lists
- Slice 2 lb thighs 1/2 inch strips, divide 1 lb per bag weigh 16 oz.
- Bag 1: butter + oil + garlic + Italian massage; Bag 2: lemon zest + 2 tbsp juice only + oil + Italian + garlic.
- Straw air out, seal, flat 1 inch on sheet pan 3h then upright, tape
garlic butter | Sep 9 | skillet 12 min 165FFandlemon herb | Sep 9 | same. - Thaw flat 12h on plate, cook: 1 tbsp oil hot skillet, chicken 6 min undisturbed, flip 6 min, probe thickest 165FF center.
Why These Amounts
- Butter 2 tbsp + oil 1 tbsp: Coats without pooling -- 1/4 cup pooled and scorched sugar before.
- Lemon 2 tbsp max: Bright without denaturing protein. 1/4 cup did chalky after 3 months.
- 1/2 inch strips: Surface browns in 12 min, still juicy. Thick cubes needed 18 and dried.
Storage
- Fridge: Thawed 24h max. Cooked 4 days 40FF.
- Freezer: Flat 1 inch, air out, 3 months 0FF best, label
Name | Date | 165FF, FIFO. See how to freeze without freezer burn. - Reheat: To 165FF center. Not edge bubble.
September 9, 2026 Verification
Re-ran acid comparison Sep 9 confirming 2 tbsp limit -- photo updated Sep 9 with ruler 1 inch and lemon measured 2 tbsp spoon.
Tested Sep 7-9, 2026 acid + butter leak + slice. Original photos -- my 2 flat bags Sep 9, ruler 1 inch, thaw comparison 38FF vs 28FF, skillet probe 165FF, receipt Sep 9.
