One of the toughest meats to store and the one you need to handle with the most caution is raw chicken. Everyone has occasionally wondered whether the chicken they purchased is okay, whether it was stored properly, or whether it is safe to consume. To prevent food poisoning in yourself and others, it’s crucial to understand how to properly store raw chicken.
This article will examine a few different methods for preserving raw chicken. We will also provide guidelines for securely storing raw chicken.
How to Store Raw Chicken to Keep It Fresh
The following are some things to consider when storing raw chicken:
Keep raw chicken in the refrigerator at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). This temperature keeps the chicken from spoiling too quickly and aids in preventing bacterial growth.
However, cooking at temperatures above 167 degrees Fahrenheit (internal temperature) kills dangerous bacteria like salmonella when using chicken (or even marinated, fried, or chicken broth). The most common cause of food poisoning in people is this bacteria.
Make sure to tightly wrap the chicken in plastic wrap before storing it in an airtight container if you’re not going to cook it right away. The wrapping restricts airflow, allowing moisture to accumulate inside the container. Mold and mildew can grow as a result of moisture buildup, and bacteria also require moisture to grow and multiply at room temperature. Vacuum sealed chicken helps by removing this and oxygen. A freezer bag with a zip lock that removes the air before sealing it can also be used.
Additionally, you should wash your hands and discard all of the chicken juice because it is one of the chicken parts that is most likely to harbor bacteria.
How Long Does Raw Chicken Go Bad
Raw chicken goes bad quickly once exposed to air. But this does not indicate that all cooked chicken has degraded. In fact, some cooking techniques, like grilling or baking, are known to keep food fresher longer than others. g they seal in the juices. For instance, grilled chicken lasts four days while baked chicken lasts about three. However, the most important thing is to not stress about whether your chicken was properly cooked. Just make sure to store it correctly!.
How To Store Raw Chicken In The Freezer
It’s simple to learn how to wrap and store raw chicken in the freezer once you’ve mastered the safety precautions for storing it in the refrigerator. If you make sure to seal the raw meat in an airtight bag, you can keep your chicken for a little while longer. Do this twice, then put it in the freezer after that.
When raw chicken is frozen, it can stay at 0 degrees for up to 9 months. After nine months, it is not advised to keep raw chicken in the freezer because the risk of freezer burns increases. Ordinary home freezers are typically quite small, and when they are opened and closed several times throughout the day, the air temperature will continue to change and fluctuate.
Freezer burn is when an item in the freezer becomes dehydrated because of its exposure to room temperature air. This shows when ice starts to sit on your raw chicken and your raw chicken begins to change color slightly.
The best way to store raw chicken for a long time is to freeze it, which is perfect if you frequently plan your meals weeks in advance.
These detailed instructions will show you how to freeze extra raw chicken:
Freezing already cut raw chicken can require a different approach.
FAQ
How long can you keep opened raw chicken in the fridge?
According to the USDA and U. S. According to the Food and Drug Administration, raw chicken should be kept in the refrigerator for no more than one to two days, whether it is whole, cut into pieces like breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and wings, or ground.
How long can you keep chicken breast once opened?
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).
How do you store raw chicken in the fridge?
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 do you store cooked chicken in the fridge after opening?
How to Store Leftover Chicken. Within two hours of cooking, place cooked chicken in the refrigerator to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. An appropriate option is a sturdy zip-top bag or a clean, airtight container. Make sure the container is tightly closed, then store it in the refrigerator.
