How Long Can Chicken Stay in the Fridge? A Complete Guide to safety store
When it come to storing chicken knowing how long it can safely stay in the fridge can generate all the divergence between a delicious dinner and a foodborne illness Chicken is one of the almost commonly cook protein in household across the world but it also carries a high risk of bacterial contaminant if not store correctly Whether you re dealings with raw or cook chicken proper refrigeration is key.
In this guide we all covert everything you need to know about storing chicken in the fridge including how long it stay freshly the sign that its bygone bad and tip to extend it shelf life.
USDA guideline How Long Is Chicken Good in the Fridge?
The unite state Department of Agriculture USDA ha clearly recommendation when it come to refrigerant chicken;
- Raw chicken whether whole in piece or ground should be store in the fridge for no more than 1 to 2 days.
- cook chicken can safely lastly in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
These guidelines are base on food safe science and are design to prevent the outgrowth of harmful bacterium alike Salmonella and Campylobacter eve if chicken look and smell finely later a few days it can still carry pathogen that are invisible to the naked eye.
Why Time limit Matter the Danger Zone
One of the reason chicken ha a short fridge life is because of how easy it can fall into what s knows as the danger zone temperature between 40 F and 140 F 4 C to 60 C In this range bacterium multiply rapidly and can generate food unsafe to eat within hour.
Your fridge should always be set at or below 40 F 4 C to leisurely down bacterial outgrowth eve then refrigeration only slow bacterium it doesn’t t stop it That s why raw chicken should be use within two day and cook chicken within four.
How to storage Chicken Properly in the Fridge
Proper store is just as important as timing To keep chicken as freshly as possible follow these store tip;
For Raw Chicken;
- Keep it seal; Use the original packaging if it s airtight Otherwise space the chicken in a zip top bag or a seal container.
- Storage it low; space raw chicken on the bottom shelf of your fridge to prevent juice from dripping onto other food.
- Separate from other food; Keep raw poultry away from fruit vegetable or cook item to void cross contaminant.
For cook Chicken;
Cool it quick; Let it cool slightly at room temperature no more than 1 hour before placing it in the fridge.
Use airtight container; This help retain moisture and block out bacterium.
Label and date it. marker the container with the date it was cook soh you know exactly when it should be eaten or discard.
sign That Chicken ha bygone Bad
eve if you re within the store window it s always a good idea to use your sense to checker whether the chicken is still good Here are the almost commons sign that chicken ha spoil.
- Smell; A sour rancid or off odour is a powerful indicant that the chicken is no long safety to eat.
- Texture; Slimy or sticky surface specially if they feel unnatural or filmy signalise bacterial outgrowth.
- Colour; freshly raw chicken is usually pinko and slightly translucent If it looks greyish greenish or ha any odd discolouration its s best to toss it.
- Pro tip; If you re ever unsure whether chicken is safety to eat don t seize chance When in doubt throw it out is a good ruler to alive by.
How to Extend Chicken s Shelf Life
If you don t plan to use your chicken within the recommend fridge store time freezing is your best friend Here s how to keep your chicken safety for long;
Freezing Raw Chicken;
- enwrap it swell; Use plastic enwrap follow by foil or space in a heavily duty freezer bag.
- Label it; Write the date on the packaging soh you can keep track.
- Freeze promptly; Don t awaits until the arcsecond day freeze it as soon as you know you won t cook it in time.
Raw chicken can lastly up to 9 months in the freezer whole or 9 months for part if frozen correctly.
Freezing cook Chicken;
- Let it; cool Always let cook chicken cool before freezing to void moisture build up.
- Use freezer safety container; Airtight and moisture resistant container are best.
- Portion it out; Freeze in meal size portion to void thawing more than you need.
Cook chicken can lastly up to 4 months in the freezer.
safety Thawing practise
Thawing chicken, the aright way is just as important as storing it properly Here s how to doh it safely.
- In the fridge; This is the safe method space frozen chicken on a plate in the fridge Allow 24 hour for every 5 pounds.
- In chilly water; submerse the chicken in a leak proof bag in chilly water exchange the water every 30 minute.
- void countertop thawing; at room temperature is a major food safe hazard bacterium multiply quick in the danger zone.
FAQ
Can I eat cook chicken later 5 days in the fridge?
It s not recommend eve if it look and smell finely bacterium may have grow to unsafe level Stick to the 3 4 day ruler.
How long can marinade chicken stay in the fridge?
marinade raw chicken should still be cook within 1 2 days marinate don t extend it freshness.
What happen if I incidentally ate bad chicken?
symptom of foodborne illness include nausea vomiting diarrhoea stomach cramp and fever If symptom is severe or prolong seek medical helper.
Final thought
Keeping chicken freshly and safety to eat is all about proper store and timing Stick to the USDA guideline use raw chicken within 1 2 day and cook chicken within 3 4 day when store in the fridge Don t forget to entrust your sense if something smell off or feel slimy it s best to let it advance By follow these simpleton but important tip you all keep your kitchen safe and your meal more enjoyable Be intelligent with your food store and your stomach will thank you late.