However, there is a significant chance of bacterial contamination in this nutritious and delectable source of protein. It’s crucial to prepare, store, and cook it correctly because doing otherwise could result in a foodborne illness.
Although it is convenient to keep chicken in the refrigerator, many people are unsure of how long this practice is safe.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) claims that raw chicken can be kept in your refrigerator for about a day or two. The same applies to raw turkey and other poultry (1).
Since bacteria tend to multiply more slowly in temperatures below 40°F (4°C), storing chicken in the refrigerator helps prevent bacterial growth (2, 3).
Furthermore, to prevent juices from leaking and contaminating other foods, it is best to store raw chicken in a leak-proof container. Cooked chicken should be refrigerated in an airtight container (4).
It’s best to keep chicken in your freezer if you need to keep it for more than a few days.
A whole chicken can be frozen for up to a year, but raw chicken pieces can be kept there for up to nine months. For two to six months, cooked chicken can be kept in the freezer (1, 2).
There is a chance that chicken that has been in the refrigerator for more than a few days has gone bad.
Here are a few indicators that the chicken in your refrigerator has spoiled (5, 6, 7):
Due to the possibility of contamination with bacteria like Campylobacter, Salmonella, and others, chicken carries a high risk of causing food poisoning (7).
Nevertheless, you must refrain from cooking and eating spoiled chicken. Despite the fact that reheating or cooking can eradicate surface bacteria, it won’t get rid of some of the toxins that bacteria produce, which can cause food poisoning if consumed (8).
High fever (over 101) is one of the uncomfortable and occasionally dangerous symptoms of food poisoning. 5°F or 38. 6°C), chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, and dehydration (9).
A severe case of food poisoning may necessitate hospitalization or even result in death (10, 11).
Do not eat your chicken if you suspect it may be spoiled. It’s best to always throw away chicken you think has gone bad.
Check the “best if used by” date and check for signs of spoilage like changes in smell, texture, and color to determine if chicken has gone bad.
Even if you thoroughly cook the chicken, you should avoid eating spoiled chicken because it can make you sick.
How Long Does Cooked Chicken Last in the Fridge?
We all love a good chicken dinner. Or a good chicken lunch. Or even, a good chicken mid-afternoon snack. And it should come as no surprise that chicken is a staple in many refrigerators given its versatility and delectability. We’ve outlined everything you need to know about preserving cooked chicken so that it remains tasty, safe, and fresh in your fridge and freezer. Make sure your freezer is at 0° F (-17° C) and your refrigerator is at or below 40° F (4° C) before we begin. 8° C).
It’s crucial to keep food out of the “danger zone” after cooking in order to guarantee that your cooked chicken is safe to consume. Bacteria grows quickly between temperatures of 40°F and 140°F, according to the USDA. This means that in order to stop bacteria from growing on your food before you eat it or store it in the fridge, chicken must be kept hot (140°F or warmer) after it has been cooked.
After cooking or removing from a warming appliance, cooked chicken should be refrigerated no later than two hours.
How long does cooked chicken last in the fridge?
How long cooked chicken can last in your fridge depends on how it was processed and prepared.FoodSafety.gov, a federal consumer resource on food safety, suggests that chicken salad, chicken nuggets and patties, and leftover cooked (roasted, sautéed, fried) chicken can last in your fridge between three and four days. Fully cooked chicken sausage and lunch meat can last up to one week because they contain higher levels of sodium, so the salt preserves such products for a little longer.
How to Store Cooked Chicken In the Fridge
When the chicken is cooked and cooled, put it in the refrigerator as soon as possible. Refrigerate any leftover chicken in an airtight container at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Make sure the container is marked with the date and its contents.
FAQ
Can I eat cooked chicken after 5 days?
The USDA states that chicken can be kept in the refrigerator for up to four days before it needs to be thrown out. If you’re on day five, it’s time to toss it.
Can I eat cooked chicken after 7 days?
In the refrigerator, cooked chicken will last three to four days and in the freezer, two to three months. After this point, eating cooked chicken may cause a foodborne illness because bacteria can still grow even in the refrigerator.
Can boiled chicken go bad in the fridge?
Cooked chicken can keep in the refrigerator for three to four days if properly stored (in a ziplock bag or other sealed container). And that holds true for any type of cooked chicken, whether it be prepared at home or leftovers from a restaurant.
Can you eat cooked chicken breast after 4 days?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that cooked chicken, whether it is in whole form (like a rotisserie chicken) or in pieces, like chicken breast or thighs, will last for three to four days in the refrigerator or four to six months in the freezer; the latter is true if you’re freezing a chicken dish like a chicken pot pie.
