How long does chicken last in the fridge
Many households consider chicken to be a main meal.
This delicious and nutritious food is susceptible to bacterial contamination. It is crucial to properly prepare, store, and cook it. If not, it may cause foodborne illness.
Storing chicken in your fridge is convenient, but most people ask what the best time to chill chicken.
This article will demonstrate how long chicken will stay in your refrigerator.
How many days does chicken last at room temperature?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Raw chicken can be stored in your refrigerator for about 2 to 3 days. Similar is the case for raw turkey and other poultry.
You can keep the prepared chikem in the fridge for about 3-4 days.
The storage of chicken in the refrigerator can slow the growth of bacterial. Bacteria tend to slow down growth at temperatures that are below 40°F (4°C).
Additionally, chicken that is raw is best kept in a sealed container in order to prevent its juices from leaking and contaminating other food items. Refrigerate cooked chicken in an airtight container.
If chicken needs to be kept for longer than a few hours it is recommended to store it in the freezer.
How to tell if the chicken has spoiled that are raw can be stored in the freezer for up to 9 months, and a complete chicken is able to be stored for as long as one year. The chicken that is cooked can be stored in the freezer for 2-6 months.
SUMMARY
Raw chicken may last up to 2 days in the fridge and cooked chicken can last up to 3-4 weeks in the fridge.
How to tell if your chicken has gone bad
There's a chance that the chicken is rotten if it's been in the refrigerator for longer days than it's needed.
Here are some ways to determine if the chicken in your fridge is bad:
past its "best-if-used by/before date" This means that the chicken will likely be damaged.
Changes to color. Raw, cooked chicken that's starting to darken into a grey-green hue is not good. The spots that have gray-to-green mold could indicate a bacterial infection.
It smells. Both cooked and raw chicken emit an unpleasant acidic odor that may be confused with ammonia. But, this smell can be difficult to notice if the chicken has been marinated with herbs, sauces, or even spices.
Texture. Chicken that has a slimy texture is now bad. Rinsing the chicken will not destroy bacteria. In fact, it could spread the bacteria from poultry to other food items as well as utensils and surfaces, causing cross-contamination.
You can dispose of any chicken that is decaying in your refrigerator.
A SUMMARY
You can tell when chicken is in a bad state if its color has started to fade, it has acquired an acidic or sour smell or has turned slimy.
The dangers of eating spoiled chicken
Consuming chicken that has been spoiled could cause food poisoning or foodborne illness.
The high danger of food poisonings in chicken is due the possibility that it may have been infected with bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, and many others.
Normally this bacteria is removed when you cook fresh chicken well.
You must avoid eating chicken that has been cooked and spoiled. While cooking or re-heating can kill surface bacteria however, it doesn't remove all of the toxins produced by the bacteria that could cause food poisoning if you consume them.
Food poisoning can be a serious disease that can trigger diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Sometimes, food poisoning that is severe could cause death or hospitalization.
Don't eat the chicken when it appears as if it's been rotten. It is better to dispose of any chicken that is going bad.
Summary
Food poisoning can result from eating spoiled chicken, even if it is properly cooked.
The bottom line
Raw chicken can last for 1-2 Days in the fridge The time for cooking poultry is between 3-4 Days.
You can tell if the chicken you purchased is not good by looking up the "best before" date. Look out for signs like changes in color, scent, texture, or taste.
It is best to avoid eating rotten chicken.
