Knowing how long to keep raw chicken in the fridge is key. You don’t want to get sick from bad chicken. This guide will show you how to store raw chicken right. It’s all about keeping it fresh and safe.

Key Takeaways:

• Raw chicken can be safely refrigerated for 1-2 days.
• When storing raw chicken, rely on your senses to check for signs of spoilage.
• Cooked chicken should be consumed within 3-4 days of refrigeration.
• To extend the shelf life of raw chicken, it can be stored in the freezer for up to 9 months for pieces and 1 year for a whole bird.
• Always follow proper food safety practices when handling raw chicken.

Choosing and Storing Raw Chicken

Selecting and storing raw chicken properly is important. It ensures the chicken stays fresh and safe. Stick to a few key tips to keep it in good condition.

At the store, look for chicken that is light pink and feels a bit firm. The meat should be smooth, moist, and without any bad smell. A bad odor suggests spoilage.

After picking your chicken, handling it the right way is key to avoid germs. Put the raw chicken in a separate bag before it goes in your cart. This act reduces the risk of other foods getting contaminated.

Always remember to keep raw chicken in its original packaging and only open it when you’re ready to use it. This helps to maintain its freshness and prevent any potential exposure to harmful bacteria.

Storing raw chicken right in the fridge is crucial. It should be kept away from other foods to prevent drips. Place it on the bottom shelf. This stops it from contaminating ready-to-eat items and keeps it safe.

Storing Raw Chicken Guidelines

For food safety and freshness, choosing and storing raw chicken right is a must. These tips will help you enjoy chicken dishes safely and with peace of mind.

Understanding “Best if Used By” Dates

Raw chicken comes with a “pack date” and a “best if used by date”. The “pack date” tracks the chicken, while the “best if used by date” ensures quality. It’s wise to use raw chicken within 1-2 days of buying it. This is true even if the “best if used by date” is still ahead. Always check the chicken for spoilage signs before eating.

Storing raw chicken right is key to stop bacteria from growing. To keep raw chicken safe and good to eat, follow these fridge storage tips:

1. Check the chicken’s “pack date” and “best if used by date” right away. Use the chicken within 1-2 days of buying it, even if the “best if used by date” hasn’t passed yet.
2. Look for spoilage signs in chicken, like bad smell, sliminess, or weird colors.
3. Keep raw chicken in its original package or in a clean, sealed container. This prevents other foods from getting contaminated.
4. Put raw chicken on the fridge’s lowest shelf. This stops drips from touching other foods.
5. If the chicken’s package is torn, rewrap it in plastic, foil, or put it in a zipped plastic bag.
6. Think about using a fridge thermometer. Make sure the fridge is at or under 40°F (4°C) to stop bacteria from growing.
7. Clean and sanitize your fridge often to keep bacteria away.

“Handling and storing raw chicken properly is vital to avoid getting sick. Always use your senses to check for spoilage before eating raw chicken.”

Knowing about “best if used by” dates and using these fridge tips means safer, fresher chicken dishes. If unsure, it’s safer to throw out chicken that seems spoiled. This is true even if it’s still within the safe storage time.

Freezing Raw Chicken

Storing raw chicken the right way keeps it fresh. Freeze it if not used within 1-2 days. This method keeps it good for later use. Follow these steps when freezing raw chicken:

1. Packaging

For freezing, wrap each chicken piece properly to avoid freezer burn. Use Glad® FreezerWrap for this. It keeps the chicken safe from air, preventing burn.

2. Airtight Storage

Put the wrapped chicken in Glad® FLEX’N SEAL™ Freezer Quart Bags. Get rid of extra air and seal the bag well. This stops freezer burn and keeps the taste.

3. Freezing Duration

Chicken pieces last up to 9 months frozen, whole birds up to a year. Always check for signs of spoilage before use. For the best taste, use within 6 months.

These guidelines help keep your chicken safe and tasty in the freezer. Freezing is great for meal prep or saving money on chicken.

Storing Cooked Chicken

After you cook tasty chicken, figuring out how to keep the leftovers becomes the next step. Luckily, the USDA says cooked chicken can stay in the fridge for up to 4 days. This means you get to enjoy your chicken meals all week long.

The moment chicken is cooked, the 4-day storage clock starts ticking. It’s crucial to eat or store it in this period for quality and safety. Keeping it too long might cause it to spoil, raising the chance of getting sick from bad food.

If you plan to eat the cooked chicken soon, just refrigerate it. Use an airtight container to keep it fresh and avoid contamination. This method works great for adding chicken into salads, sandwiches, or other meals.

However, if you won’t eat it soon, freezing is your best bet. This method keeps the chicken good for longer periods. Remember, even though you can freeze it forever, its quality might drop over time, changing the flavor and texture.

To freeze it right, wrap each piece carefully to avoid freezer burn. Use Glad® FreezerWrap and airtight bags, like Glad® FLEX’N SEAL™ Freezer Quart Bags. Push all the air out before you seal to keep it fresh. Always label the bag with the dates you cooked and froze it.

Freezing Cooked Chicken

If you have leftover cooked chicken, freezing it is a smart move. It keeps the chicken tasty and safe for a long time. Proper freezing methods preserve its goodness.

To properly freeze cooked chicken, just follow these steps:

1. Wrap individually: Wrap each chicken piece tightly in Glad® FreezerWrap. This step fights against freezer burn and keeps the taste and texture intact.
2. Use airtight bags: Put the wrapped chicken pieces in airtight bags, like Glad® FLEX’N SEAL™ Freezer Quart Bags. Before sealing, press out extra air from the bag.
3. Label for reference: Always mark the bag with the cooking and freezing dates. This way, you’ll know how fresh your chicken is and use it at its best.

Your frozen chicken can stay good for 2 to 6 months. Remember, the longer it stays frozen, the more its quality might drop.

When ready, thaw your chicken in the fridge overnight. Slow thawing keeps it safe. Then, use it in your favorite dishes for an easy and tasty meal.

Storing Raw Chicken in the Fridge

Storing raw chicken right is key to keeping it fresh and safe. It’s good for 1-2 days in the fridge before you should cook or freeze it. Here’s how to help it last:

1. Wrap unwashed chicken pieces in Glad® Press’n Seal® for a tight seal. It stops air from getting to the meat, which can cause it to spoil.
2. Then, put the wrapped chicken in a Glad® FLEX’N SEAL™ Food Storage Quart Bag. This stops contamination and keeps the chicken good quality.
3. Always keep the chicken on the fridge’s bottom shelf to prevent drips on other food. This reduces the chance of foods mixing that shouldn’t.

Stick to these steps to make sure your chicken stays fresh and safe to eat. Below is a table showing how long to store raw chicken:

Freezing Raw Chicken for Later Use

If you’re not going to cook or use raw chicken soon, it’s best to freeze it. Freezing keeps the chicken fresh for longer. Here’s how to do it right:

Step 1: Wrap the Chicken

Wrap each raw chicken piece by itself. This avoids freezer burn and keeps it good. For protection against moisture and air, use Glad® FreezerWrap. Put each chicken piece in the middle of a piece of wrap.

Step 2: Seal in an Airtight Bag

Next, place the wrapped chicken in a Glad® FLEX’N SEAL™ Freezer Quart Bag. These bags are made for the freezer and add more protection. They keep the chicken’s taste and texture.

Step 3: Store in the Deepest Part of the Freezer

Put the chicken deep in the freezer where it’s coldest. This helps it freeze fast and stay good. Don’t put it near the door. That area gets warmer and can harm the chicken.

Proper Storage Duration

Frozen raw chicken keeps up to 9 months for pieces and 1 year for a whole bird. Label the freeze date for easy tracking. Knowing how long it’s been frozen ensures it stays safe and good.

Thaw frozen chicken in the fridge or with cold water. Don’t thaw it out in the open. Always cook it well after thawing to kill any germs.

With the right freezing methods, you can safely store raw chicken for later. This keeps it safe and tasty.

Thawing Chicken Safely

To keep chicken safe and high-quality, thawing it the right way is key. The best way is to move it from the freezer to the fridge slowly. This needs planning as it usually takes a day for the chicken to thaw fully.

By doing this in the fridge, you keep the temperature right and cut the risk of germs.

Once thawed, you can keep the chicken in the fridge for 1-2 more days before you cook it. It’s key to know that thawed chicken doesn’t last as long as fresh. So, use it within a few days for the best taste and safety.

If you’re in a rush, you can thaw chicken fast using the cold water method. Put the chicken in a leak-proof bag and dip it in cold water. Remember to change the water every 30 minutes so it stays cold. But, you must cook it right after thawing this way to avoid germs.

Now, knowing how to thaw chicken correctly, you can plan your meals well. You’ll have ready-to-cook chicken and ensure you’re eating safe. Always stick to food safety rules to avoid getting sick.

Conclusion

Storing and handling raw chicken the right way is key to keeping it fresh and safe to eat. You should keep raw chicken in the fridge for no more than 1-2 days. Cooked chicken, however, can last in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you need to keep raw chicken longer, freezing is the best method.

Frozen raw chicken stays good for up to 9 months if it’s in pieces, and a whole bird can last for a year. This way, you can have chicken ready for whenever you need it.

Make sure to store raw chicken in the fridge in its original package or wrap it well. Using something like Glad® Press’n Seal® keeps it air-tight. This stops any leaks and prevents it from touching other foods. Always use your senses to check for bad smells, sliminess, or strange colors in raw chicken before you cook it.

Keep these tips in mind and practice safe food handling to enjoy fresh and healthy chicken meals. Listen to your gut, keep an eye on how long you store chicken, and take care of your health when you deal with raw chicken.

Source Links

• https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7964605/how-long-can-raw-chicken-stay-in-the-fridge/
• https://www.realsimple.com/how-long-can-chicken-stay-in-the-fridge-7562096
• https://www.glad.com/food-protection/protection-pointers/how-long-does-chicken-last-in-the-fridge-or-freezer/