Last weekend, when I had my electrical emergency, I put a whole chicken in the freezer in the garage. It weighs 1.5Kg and is frozen solid. Never having frozen a whole chicken before, I don't know how long it needs to defrost in my fridge.
Shall I fetch it in now so that it will be defrosted in time for Sunday dinner, or is that too soon? How will I know when it's properly defrosted? I don't want to roast it if it's still frozen inside.
The rule of thumb quoted in this link (and elsewhere on the web) is '5 hours per pound' to defrost a chicken in a fridge. So that's 5 x 3.3 = 16.5 hours. Therefore 24 hours should provide plenty of time:
http://www.wikihow.com/Defrost-Chicken
Note that the link advises putting your hand inside the chicken to feel for ice crystals, which seems to me like a sensible enough way to confirm that the chicken has been fully defrosted.
Follow the advice already given it is good. (I am a restaurateur)
If the giblet bag is in place remove it.
When it feels defrosted pop a skewer down in between the leg and the rib cage
you should meet minimal resistance.
// Note that the link advises putting your hand inside the chicken to feel for ice crystals, which seems to me like a sensible enough way to confirm that the chicken has been fully defrosted. // NOTE The only way I would put my hand up a chicken is if I was a Vet.