How long can chicken be kept in the Fridge for?


Chicken is considered to be a common meat choice in many homes.


This healthy, delicious source of protein could be contaminated by bacteria. Proper preparation, storage, and cooking for this protein are vital.


Although it's handy to store chicken in the fridge, many people aren't sure how long they can keep it from being frozen.


This article will explain how long chicken keeps in the fridge.



How many days does chicken stay at room temperature?



According to the United States Department of Agriculture, raw chicken can last about a week in your refrigerator. Similar rules apply to turkeys that are raw as well as other birds.


Chikem that has been cooked can be stored in the refrigerator up 3-4 weeks.


Refrigerating chicken aids in slowing the growth of bacteria. Bacteria shrink at temperatures lower than 40F (4C).


It is crucial to store raw chicken in an airtight container. This will stop the juices from spilling out or contaminating other food items. Cool cooked chicken in an airtight container.


Chicken can be stored in the freezer if it is needed for longer than couple of weeks.


A whole chicken or even pieces of chicken in raw form can be stored in the freezer for up to nine months. Cooked chicken can be stored in the freezer for a period of 2 to 6 months.


Summary


Raw chicken will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week, while cooked chicken will last for anywhere from 3-4 days.



How do you know if your chicken is bad



If you've left chicken in the fridge for more than a few days, there's a chance it's gone bad.


Here are some ways to know whether your chicken is going bad in the fridge.



It is past the "best before" date. Cooked or raw chicken that is not used before the "best by" dates is more likely to spoil.


Color change. Cooked and raw chicken that has started to turn gray-green can be an indication of a bad batch. Spots of grayish-green mold can be a sign that there's a growth of bacterial.


The smell. Both chicken cooked raw and cooked emit an acidic scent that smells like ammonia. The smell might be harder to detect if the chicken was marinated with sauces, herbs, and spices.


Texture. A chicken with a slimy texture may have gone bad. Rinsing chicken isn't the best method to get rid of bacteria. The risk of cross-contamination can occur if bacteria is transferred from poultry to other food items or Utensils.



You can throw away any chicken that's rotten in your refrigerator.


How long does cooked chicken last


If chicken is stale the color of the chicken will begin to fade and exhibit an acidic, sour, or slimy smell.



Risks associated with eating spoiled Chicken



Consuming chicken that has been spoiled can lead to food poisoning or foodborne illness.


High risk of food poisoning could be due to chicken that may have been contaminated in some way with bacteria like Campylobacter and Salmonella.


The bacteria can be eliminated if cook fresh chicken properly.


But, it is still important to be careful not to cook and eat the spoiled meat of your chicken. Reheating and baking may kill the bacteria on the surface, but it's not enough to eliminate all of their toxins that could lead to food poisoning.


Food poisoning can trigger unpleasant and occasionally dangerous symptoms, including a hyperfever (above 101.5degF or 38.6degC) nausea, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, and dehydration.


In some cases, severe food poisoning may require hospitalization and may even cause death.


If you suspect that your chicken has been spoiled then don't eat it. It is always better to throw away any chicken that is bad.



SUMMARY


The consumption of spoiled meat can lead to food poisoning even if it's cooked well.



The bottom line



The raw chicken can be kept in the refrigerator for about 1-2 days. Chicken that is cooked lasts around 3-4 days.


To tell if your chicken is rotten To determine if the chicken is rotten, look up the "best if used by" date and look for indications of spoilage, such as changes in smell, texture, and color.


Don't eat chicken that is rotten, as it can cause food poisoning, even if you cook it thoroughly.