can i partially unfreeze then refreeze chicken?

Yes, it is safe to refreeze partially defrosted chicken. Just be sure to refreeze it in air tight Ziploc bags or FoodSaver bag. Ice crystals or water left on the chicken can cause freeze burn, which does not effect the safety of cooking and eating the chicken, but will effect the texture and flavor. Your best bet when partially defrosting the chicken would probably be to put the chicken in an Airtight/Watertight bag and defrost it in cold water, changing the water every 20 minutes. That way you will be able to just defrost the chicken pieces just enough to break the piece away while they are still mostly frozen. If you defrost the bulk chicken in the fridge overnight place the chicken in the fridge before you go to sleep and check it when you get up. It would be best to do this on night when you do not have to work the next day, so you can check the chicken every hour or so after the first 8 hours.

If the meat is only partially thawed and still has Ice crysrals then it can be refrozen....but completely thawed meats should never be refrozen unless cooked.

The reason refreezing is a no no is because freezing simply retards growth of bacteria...and only some are killed by the extreme cold...but for those who are not begin to grow once thawed,,

Yes you can. Just keep it in the fridge so it does not get above 40 degrees F. A lot of time I buy chicken at the store that is still partially frozen and freeze it when I get home. heck the USDA website on refreezing meat.

You shouldn't but I think most of us do that.

I have found though, if it is those assorted pieces you may be able to slap the bag on the counter a few times and they will break into individual pieces

Chetak

Yes, if you make sure there are still ice crystals in the meat when you pull it apart, and that it doesn't completely thaw each time. And if you use it all within a week or two--so it doesn't repeatedly freeze/thaw/freeze. That will affect the texture and taste.

yeah! then teach honey how to portion the groceries when buying in bulk!

As long as it's not thawed, yes.

I do that all the time. Just don't defrost it very much.

Not, if you are correct.

Defreeze, etc.