How Long Does Cooked Chicken Last In The Fridge (And Why)?

How Long Does Cooked Chicken Last In The Fridge (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 4 Days

There are numerous things that one can start doing at any time of the day, and one of them is certainly cooking. Food is made using various ingredients, prepared through multiple processes, and finally served in a manner that pleases the soul. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its drawbacks.

Every ingredient one chooses to prepare the food, has a different preparation and storage method. Every ingredient has its own unique characteristics and taste. The ingredients people use for cooking are also based on the nutrients they provide to the meal. One of the popular ingredients, that can be used in any meal of the day, is chicken.

How Long Does Cooked Chicken Last In The Fridge

How Long Does Cooked Chicken Last In The Fridge?

Method of CookingTime
Frying4 Days
Baking3 Days
Grilling4 Days

Chicken is one of the dominant ingredients used in all sorts of cuisines across the world. Eating chicken has its benefits as it is full of essential nutrients. Chicken is rich in protein and is known to help people in their journey of weight loss. It also reduces your probability of getting heart disease.

Chicken contains nutrients like amino acid tryptophan, which combines with serotonin in human brains, that induces the “feel good” emotions in the body. There are various disadvantages to having chicken every day. One might gain weight, build muscles, develop cardiovascular diseases. It can also increase sodium content in one’s body.

There are multiple benefits too. It is full of phosphorous, calcium, which will keep the bones healthy. It is also among the lesser-known facts that it can also save one from the risk of arthritis.

Cooked Chicken

As for the parts of the chicken that can be cooked, people normally prefer to use breasts, wings, thighs, legs, and drumsticks. Every part of the chicken has a different cooking time, and likewise, the storage ways to keep them good also differ.

There are certain methods and techniques of cooking chicken. The popular methods used in households as well as restaurants include stir-fry, pan-fry, grill, barbeque, baking, and roasting.

Why Does Cooked Chicken Last So Long In The Fridge?

There is a difference between storing the food in the freezer and refrigerator, storing them cooked and raw. Raw chicken lasts in the fridge for about 2 days, while cooked chicken can last for three to four days. Cooked chicken can be stored in the freezer for even five to six months.

The way one cooks the chicken doesn’t influence the time it stays good. Whatever method may be one uses to cook the chicken, it can be stored only for four days. There are certain exceptions though, like chicken salad can be stored for 5 days, unopened chicken hot dogs for 2 weeks, and opened ones for a week.

Deli chicken can be stored for 5 days, and packaged chicken can also be store for 2 weeks if not opened. If opened, they can be stored only for 5 days. After 4 days, the cooked chicken will lose its normal smell and taste. Pathogens and bacteria will start growing on them.

Cooked Chicken

Until after very long, no changes will be noted on the exterior of the chicken, and the taste and smell of the chicken will not change for a while. But after 5 to 6 days, the smell, taste, and looks of the chicken will start changing. Mold will start forming on the exteriors and some might have a slimy texture.

Conclusion

One should consider the multiple reasons why they shouldn’t eat cooked chicken stored in the fridge, after 4 days. The bacteria and fungi will start growing on the cooked chicken because it is meat. When one eats that, it can cause food poison and severe stomach issues.

There are ways to use cooked chicken before they go bad. One can make chicken pasta, soup, salad, and even chicken quesadilla. So, it is better to store cooked chicken in the freezer, but according to health agencies, frozen meat is not that good for health.

One should eat chicken within 4 days before they go bad. If one eats chicken without knowing that it has gone bad, they can always contact medical experts for assistance.

References

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119338416
  2. https://academic.oup.com/jas/article-abstract/49/3/701/4699258

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15 thoughts on “How Long Does Cooked Chicken Last In The Fridge (And Why)?”

  1. The article fails to mention the cons of eating chicken. I don’t think it’s as healthy as it claims.

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