How Long Can Cooked Chicken Be Stored in the Refrigerator?
Contrary to popular belief, cooked chicken does not keep as long in the fridge. We all agree that chicken is frequently the main ingredient in home-cooked meals. However, there is a significant chance of bacterial contamination in this nutritious and delectable source of protein. Preparing, storing, and cooking it correctly is crucial because doing otherwise could result in a foodborne illness. However, when you have leftover chicken—breasts, drumsticks, or thighs—you wonder how long you can store it in the refrigerator. The solution is here. Learn how to store cooked chicken safely and how long it can be kept in the refrigerator.
How Long Can You Keep Cooked Chicken in Fridge?
According to the USDA, a cooked chicken can be kept for three to four days in the fridge and two to three months in the freezer. After this time, eating cooked chicken can make you sick from foodborne illness since bacteria can still thrive even in the refrigerator.
Types of Chicken That Can Stay for Some Days in Fridge:
Chicken Breast: Uncooked chicken breasts stay well for up to two days in the refrigerator, but cooked chicken breasts keep well for three to four days. In all cases, it’s ideal to store chicken breasts in the freezer when it’s possible.
Entire Chicken: A cooked whole chicken can be refrigerated for three to four days if you break it up into smaller chunks and follow the leftover instructions. A raw, whole chicken will stay in the refrigerator for one to two days. If you plan to cook the chicken later, it is best to place the entire uncooked bird in the freezer, where it will stay for up to a year.
Ground Chicken: Unlike other chicken pieces, cooked ground chicken can be frozen for three to four months. Store your ground chicken in the fridge to maintain its excellent flavor.
” Want professional home appliances repair experts? “Repair In UAE” have a professional home appliances repair experts who repair all brands of home appliances:
Samsung Service Center, Daewoo Service Center, LG Service Center, Indesit Service Center, Bosch Service Center, Siemens Service Center, Ariston Service Center, Whirlpool Service Center and many more…..”
How to Spot a Bad Chicken?
You can spot some symptoms if your chicken is no longer edible, even if you are unsure of how long it has been in the refrigerator.
Change in Color: Cooked or raw, the rotten chicken will start to take on a green or greyish color.
Change in Smell: The standard smell test can come in handy when examining your chicken for deterioration. Over time, the chicken will start to smell “off,” or like ammonia. You shouldn’t always rely solely on smell because seasonings and marinades can cover up these odors.
Change in Texture: Another sign of spoiling is a change in texture. It is strongly discouraged to bite into that week-old chicken since the sour chicken will have a slimy film.
How to Store Cooked Chicken?
There are two easy steps to store cooked chicken in the fridge.
1- Cool Down the Chicken for 2 Hours
To reduce the risk of contamination, wait until the steam has stopped rising before putting it into a robust and airtight container after the meat has finished cooking.
2- Store it Separately from Uncooked Chicken
Keep cooked meat separate from raw meat when storing leftover meat in the refrigerator or freezer. Ensure the cooked meat is on the top shelf if you’re storing it in the refrigerator. It must be covered in both situations. Additionally, this will lessen the chance of infection.
Note: Within two hours of cooking, the cooked chicken should be stored in an airtight container or plastic bag. The temperature danger zone, or the region between 40 and 140 degrees F where bacteria grow most rapidly, can be reached by chicken if left at room temperature for more than two hours.
What will happen if I consume cooked chicken that is tainted?
If you’ve eaten chicken that has gone bad or been out for three to four days, don’t freak out. For you, everything might be OK. Additionally, eating cooked chicken can make you sick, especially if you’re young, old, pregnant, or have a compromised immune system. Unpleasant symptoms of food poisoning include chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, and bloody stools. Consult a doctor if these symptoms persist for more than 12 to 24 hours.
How to Use Up Cooked Chicken?
- Toss the cooked chicken with pasta.
- You can use cooked chicken in tortilla.
- It should be shredded and quickly souped.
- Prepare the chicken salad.
Conclusion
After cooking, food should be kept out of the danger zone to ensure it is safe to consume. Bacteria can develop quickly between 40°F and 140°F, according to the USDA. To stop bacteria from forming on your meal before you consume it or keep it in the fridge, chicken must be kept hot (140°F or warmer) after it has been cooked.