Chicken is the number one food that causes food poisoning. So it stands to reason that people would want to know how to identify bad chicken. Here are some tips on how to tell if chicken has gone bad from the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA) and a dietitian.
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Finding spoiled food is a surefire way to put a damper on any enthusiasm you may have had for cooking dinner, but is smell enough of a clue to let you know that your chicken has turned from fresh to faulty? As a professional chef, I’ve found that it is a good indicator, but there are plenty of other ways to tell if food is spoiled.
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wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer The expiration date is a good guideline, but it’s not a guarantee that the chicken is good to eat. If your chicken smells spoiled, it’s better not to eat it, even if it hasn’t reached the expiration date on the package. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer The chicken might smell sour or be slimy to the touch. You might also notice that it has a dull or greyish color. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer The eggy smell is sulfur, which can be released by some types of bacteria. If your chicken smells eggy and it came out of a cling-wrapped or regular plastic package, it’s probably best not to eat it. On the other hand, sometimes an egg smell can be a result of the cryovac packaging process. If your chicken was cryovac packaged, let it sit for a few minutes to see if the smell dissipates. If it does, it is likely safe to eat if you cook it thoroughly. FAQ
How can you tell if raw chicken is spoiled?
Fresh raw chicken should be pink in color and have white fat parts. Throw it out if it appears yellow or gray in color, has mold on it, or has a tinge of another color. When buying frozen chicken, look for thawing and refreezing traces.
What does bad raw chicken smell like?
Although it may have a slight “funky” smell if it has been sealed with its juices for some time, fresh chicken has very little aroma. Chicken that smells strongly should be a warning sign. It is no longer safe to eat if the smell is fishy, sour, or sulfurous, resembling the smell of rotten eggs.
How long does raw chicken breast last in the fridge?
In the refrigerator, raw chicken lasts for 1-2 days while cooked chicken lasts for 3–4 days. 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.
Is raw chicken OK in the fridge for 7 days?
It is acceptable to keep raw chicken (whole or in pieces) in the fridge for 1-2 days without storing it in the freezer. If you have cooked chicken leftovers, you can anticipate that they will keep in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
