Okay so my question is about thawing frozen food. I purchased some boneless/skinless chicken thighs. It said use or freeze by 7/4/08. I had it in the fridge for a few days until the listed 'deadline' came up. I was going to use it before then but didn't after all. So on the 4th I put the package in the freezer. I was going to make the chicken Sunday so I took it out of the freezer late Saturday night and left it in the fridge to thaw. Well it was still slightly frozen on Sunday so I took it out of the fridge and placed it on the counter for about an hour and something came up so I didn't get to make it and put it back in the fridge. It is still in the fridge now. Is it safe to cook it today? I never really understood the whole thing about properly defrosting and issues with getting food poisening. Any info on this subject is greatly appreciated. Should I just toss the chicken out and get a new package? Or is it okay to cook it today?

Would also appreciate info on properly defrosting, over thawing to a point that the food can come tainted. Anything about it! Thank you!

Since you took long to thaw it and had it out of the fridge it probably isn't good.
Sure tell tale signs it is not good are

Bit of a bad smell,
Doesn't look fresh or other appearance of not being good,
Or feels slimy
Then definitely toss it.

Generally I thaw meat as quick as possible or if I am not sure I will be able to use it immediately I leave it thaw in the fridge until I can get to cooking it.
Back and forth from the freezer to the fridge to the counter to the fridge, etc is generally not good.

Throw it out - don't eat chicken that has been left out too long. It was good up until you left it on the counter. I usually don't thaw out anything but start cooking it frozen solid. That way I don't risk unnecessary bacteria in my meat. Thawing it out in the fridge is okay if it is thick pieces or a turkey. I don't thaw out steaks or chicken but just cook it a little longer. This way I don't waste food or get sick.

1. Don't ever thraw chicken by sitting it on a counter, ever
Also don't thraw and refreese item. I would toss it