Chicken how many days in fridge

Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here. Food Storage - How long can you keep Tips How long does raw chicken last in the fridge or freezer?

The exact answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep chicken refrigerated at all times. How long does raw chicken last in the refrigerator? It happens. According to the USDA, you should eat cooked chicken within 3 to 4 days. Pretty simple. Use your best judgement. There are exceptions to this 3 to 4 day rule, including chicken salad 5 days , chicken hot dogs 2 weeks unopened, 1 week after opening , and packaged chicken lunch meat 2 weeks unopened, 3 to 5 days after opening , and deli chicken lunchmeat 3 to 5 days.

Any change in the way it looks, tastes, or smells is suspect. Mold, of course, means pitch it. So does a slimy or slippery feel. However, this healthy and delicious source of protein has a high risk of bacterial contamination. Storing chicken in your fridge is convenient, but many people wonder how long they can safely refrigerate chicken.

The same applies to raw turkey and other poultry 1. Meanwhile, cooked chicken can last in the refrigerator approximately 3—4 days 1. Furthermore, raw chicken is best stored in a leak-proof container to prevent its juices from leaking and contaminating other foods. Cooked chicken should be refrigerated in an airtight container 4. Raw chicken pieces can be stored in the freezer for up to 9 months, while a whole chicken can be frozen for up to one year.

Cooked chicken can be stored in the freezer for 2—6 months 1 , 2. Raw chicken can last in your fridge for 1—2 days, while cooked chicken can last in the fridge for 3—4 days. Below are a few ways to tell if the chicken in your fridge has gone bad 5 , 6 , 7 :. You can tell if chicken has gone bad if its color has started to fade, it has developed a sour or acidic smell, or it has become slimy. Eating spoiled chicken can cause foodborne illness, also known as food poisoning.

Freezing cooked chicken is a great way to reduce food waste. The best way to thaw chicken is to move the frozen package from the freezer onto a plate and into the fridge, and then let it thaw gradually.

If frozen chicken is thawed in the refrigerator, the defrosted chicken can last in the fridge for an additional days before cooking. Planning to cook your frozen chicken sooner rather than later? You can also thaw frozen chicken in the microwave, but if you want to use that method, you should plan to cook it immediately after thawing to prevent bacteria from growing.