Chicken tastes great and can be added to almost any recipe. But, you need to know how long it lasts and when it’s time to throw it out
The fridge is a great invention. It allows a variety of foods to stay chilled and fresh at home, effectively allowing you to shop in advance. Without it, you would be visiting the shops daily.
However, there are risks when it comes to refrigerated foods, especial meats like chicken.
It’s important you know the answers to these questions to avoid making you and your family ill.
How long does chicken last in the fridge
There are two parts to this question. But, before you check out the parts and the answers you should note that keeping a variety of foods in your fridge can create bad odours and even affect the taste of the food. It’s a good idea to try the Universal Odour Absorber for Fridges of Care+Protect as it is perfect for eliminating bad odours and preserving the flavour of your food.
How long does raw chicken last in the fridge
Raw chicken should only be kept for 1-2 days in the fridge. This is irrespective of the best before date. However, don’t assume your chicken is okay to eat. Always inspect it carefully for signs that it is turning and smell it. If you have any doubts it's best to throw it away.
How long does cooked chicken last in the fridge?
Cooked chicken can be kept for 3-4 days in your fridge. It’s longer because the bacteria have already been killed, reducing the risk of issues when you eat it.
Naturally, the appliance you use should be capable of maintaining temperature evenly to ensure your foods stay fresh. The range of Candy fridges are ideal if you want to preserve your food in the best possible way, both fresh and cooked!
It’s important to note that if you have raw and cooked chicken in the fridge they should be kept separately and the cooked chicken should always be higher than the raw. This reduces the risk of cross-contamination from uncooked top cooked chicken.
You should wash your hands after touching either of them. It is also important to understand the rules regarding reheating food in the microwave. It’s best to do this properly.
How to freeze chicken
If you have raw chicken in your fridge and don’t think you’ll eat it in time then the best idea is to freeze it. If you’re wondering how to freeze chicken then you’ll find it’s easy. Place the chicken in an airtight container or wrap it in clingfilm, or even put it in a freezer bag. Then, place it in your freezer!
The good news is that you can freeze cooked chicken in the same way, no more worrying about how to freeze cooked chicken or if you’re going to waste food.
You should be aware that it’s not just about how long does chicken last in the fridge, a freezer doesn’t give your chicken infinite life either. Pieces should only be frozen for up to nine months and a whole chicken no longer than a year.
How long does defrosted chicken last in the fridge?
You may be concerned with how long does chicken take to defrost in the fridge or how long does defrosted chicken last in the fridge, these are valid concerns.
Defrosted chicken will last the same amount of time as chicken that hasn’t been frozen. That’s 3-4 days if already cooked and 1-2 days if frozen.
The safest option is to defrost and cook the chicken, making a delicious meal and freezing anything left over for another day.
Chicken will take roughly 24 hours to defrost in a fridge. However, you can speed it up by using the defrost function on your microwave. Simply follow the machine's instructions and your chicken can be defrosted in a matter of minutes. Just make sure there are no frozen lumps in the middle of your chicken.
Chicken is a versatile meat, it’s worth having some at home. With this guide, you can store it safely and enjoy it at any time. Best of all, it's not complicated, you just need to note how long it has been in the fridge or freezer.
