Can I store raw chicken in the refrigerator if it’s uncovered?
I wouldn’t advise keeping raw chicken exposed in the fridge. Compared to covered chicken, uncovered chicken has a much shorter shelf life. The chicken will dry out very quickly and become inedible.
Additionally, you greatly increase the chance that the chicken will contact other foods and spread its bacteria.
And in case you needed one more excuse to cover your chicken, unprotected chicken can absorb refrigerator odors. So, keep your refrigerator sealed and locked up unless you really want to taste what’s inside.
How to freeze leftover raw chicken once opened
You’re a forward-thinking, meal-planning responsible type. To save a perfectly good piece of chicken from being wasted, you’d rather cut off your leg. The best method for long-term storage of raw chicken after opening is freezing, but there are some risks to be aware of, chief among them freezer burn.
Freezer burn is when the food becomes dehydrated due to exposure to outside air. You’ve probably encountered this before, ice crystals have formed on your food, or the food may have become discolored.
Food that has been burned in the freezer is not harmful, but its flavor and texture tend to suffer.
Read More: What To Do With Freezer Burned Chicken
The following are detailed instructions for freezing raw chicken:
When freezing chicken, strips or chunks need to be frozen slightly differently than whole pieces. Nobody has time to plastic wrap 20 separate chicken pieces!
Lay the chicken out on a baking sheet so it doesn’t touch in order to freeze pre-cut chicken. Place this baking sheet in the freezer for 45 minutes after that.
When the chicken is completely frozen, you can place each piece in a larger bag.
You can take out as much of the chicken as you need instead of having to thaw the entire thing because this is a good method for saving space and the chicken won’t stick together. However, flash-freezing contains a higher risk of freezer burn.
How to vacuum sealing chicken for freezing
The best use for your vacuum sealer, if you have one, is to freeze chicken.
By completely removing all the air from its environment, vacuum sealing your chicken prevents freezer burn and extends the chicken’s shelf life.
Prior to vacuum sealing your chicken, pre-freezing it is recommended. This keeps any harmful bacteria that is already present dormant and seals in the juices to prevent them from being sucked out during sealing.
Vacuum sealed chicken can last up to 5 times longer than un-vacuumed chicken, but this varies depending on things like the freshness of the meat when it was first sealed. Most vacuum sealed meat will last 2-3 years in the freezer.
Keep frozen chicken below 40 degrees Fahrenheit when thawing it. Alternatively, avoid the “danger zone” for bacteria when cooking poultry. You run the risk of bacteria growth if you defrost chicken at room temperature.
Here are three ways to safely defrost frozen chicken:
You have two days to use or refreeze the chicken once it has defrosted. Once the chicken has thawed, you can cut off any small pieces of freezer burn if you notice them.
FAQ
How do you store fresh chicken breast?
To prevent it from dripping onto other items, keep fresh, uncooked chicken in the refrigerator on a low shelf. Wrap separate pieces in foil or plastic bags for convenience and to prevent freezer burn. Place all the items that have been wrapped or bagged into a larger freezer bag or foil wrap.
How long can you keep chicken breast in the fridge?
A cooked chicken breast will keep for three to four days in the refrigerator, while a raw breast will keep for up to two days. When it’s possible, it’s preferable to keep chicken breasts in the freezer in both situations.
How do you store chicken breast after cooking?
The best way to store cooked chicken is in an airtight container, such as a glass storage container or a zip-top plastic bag. Doing this will keep it fresh for the four days.
How do you keep chicken breast fresh after opening?
Put the raw chicken in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for two days to properly store it after opening. Place the chicken in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Wrap the chicken twice in foil and plastic wrap for longer-term storage, then put it in the freezer.
