You can save money by purchasing chicken in bulk, but you must make it last. Heres how to properly freeze chicken.
Because it is nutritious, adaptable, and generally accepted by even the pickiest eaters, chicken is a mainstay in most homes. Unfortunately, there is a high risk of bacterial contamination with chicken, so it must be prepared, stored, and cooked properly. Here are some suggestions to keep your chicken fresh and, more importantly, prevent you and your family from getting sick if you don’t know how long frozen chicken can be stored for or how to safely defrost that frozen chicken.
Do you have to package chicken a specific way to prevent freezer burn?
“The best method would be to vacuum-seal, as this removes air from the packaging and seals the bag,” says Sidoti. “If you dont have the right equipment for this method, you can also place the chicken breasts in freezer bags and manually push out as much air as possible before zipping them shut.”6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
If you’re not confident using your hands, Chef White suggests another approach.
White advises that all the air must be expelled before sealing, either manually or using the water displacement method, for the best outcomes. In order to use the water displacement method, you must put the chicken in a freezer bag, submerge the bag up to the seal, expel all air, and then seal the bag. “.
However, he also agrees with Sidoti and says that vacuum-sealing the chicken is your best bet at preventing freezer burn. Do you know why freezer burn happens? Sidoti explains that its the process that occurs when the chicken is exposed to air, undergoing dehydration. Foods that have experienced freezer burn are safe to eat, but they likely wont taste as good.
White continues, “Freezer bags would be another way to store chicken in the freezer.” Chicken can also be frozen in its original grocery store packaging. I advise you to wrap the package in aluminum foil to add an additional layer of security. “.
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How to Tell If Your Frozen Chicken Is Still Good
It is extremely unlikely that your frozen chicken will be contaminated if your chicken was still fresh when you placed it in the freezer (and your freezer is functioning properly). But when you’re defrosting, things can go wrong (best practices are listed below), so it’s crucial to know how to spot spoiled poultry just in case. The USDA states that because of the high bacterial counts, “Spoilage bacteria can cause meat or poultry to turn a dark color, develop an objectionable odor, and become slimy.” Conclusion: It’s best to avoid taking a chance if your chicken smells strange, looks sickly gray-green, or feels unusually slick after thawing.
It’s good news that freezing raw chicken is surprisingly easy. Actually, all you need to do is place your poultry in a freezer-safe container and seal it. Chicken (or any meat, for that matter) shouldn’t be kept in the front or door of your freezer because these areas can experience temperature fluctuations. Instead, tuck your sealed poultry in the back so that it can last as long as possible safe and fresh.
How Do You Properly Store Chicken In Your Freezer?
According to the USDA, uncooked whole chicken can be stored in the freezer for up to a year (or nine months if you’re storing chopped chicken). Although you can still store cooked chicken in your freezer for up to six months, it won’t last as long.
Proper storage helps preserve quality and prevent freezer burn, and while its totally safe to freeze raw poultry in its original packaging, plastic-wrapped containers are permeable to air and the quality of the chicken may diminish over time. For prolonged storage, the USDA recommends that you overwrap the original plastic-wrapped container, which you can do with a layer of aluminum foil. You can also remove the chicken from its packaging and transfer to a freezer bag, pressing out as much air as possible before sealing the bag. An unopened vacuum-sealed package can be stored as is.
FAQ
Is 2 year old frozen chicken still good?
After freezing, it doesn’t matter if any package dates are approaching expiration because chicken can be kept continuously frozen and remain safe indefinitely. Keep whole raw chicken in the freezer for up to a year, parts for up to nine months, and giblets or ground chicken for up to four months for the best quality, taste, and texture.
Can you eat chicken breast that has been frozen for a year?
Are they still safe to eat? A. Yes, the chicken would be safe to eat as long as it was fresh when it was frozen and has stayed completely frozen ever since. However, it may not be very tasty. After being frozen for so long, chicken may develop freezer burn or dryness.
How long can frozen chicken breasts be in freezer?
Whole chickens can be frozen for up to a year after being initially stored, and individual pieces of raw chicken can be kept in the freezer for up to nine months.
