Exact Answer: 6 months
Frozen foods can last for a very long time, whether they are cooked or not. They will still taste the same even after they are frozen and taken out to be reheated. There are various reasons why chicken is chosen as a staple in many cuisines and countries. Chicken is very healthy and tasty, even the pickiest eaters will love them. Yet, just like every other dish, chicken also has its drawbacks and disadvantages.
They are highly susceptible to bacterial contamination. When stored, prepared, and cooked right, they can last longer than ever. It is always essential to store the chicken right. There are many ways to keep the chicken fresh and there are many recipes that could give the best chicken dishes ever created. After preparing the dish, if there are any leftovers, they can be stored in the fridge to be heated again later.
When the chicken is raw and stored in the fridge, it must be thawed before cooking. According to many chefs and health agencies, chicken that was stored in the freezer can last indefinitely, yet they are healthy before 6 months.
How Long Does Frozen Chicken Last?
| Type | Time |
| Raw chicken | 9 months |
| Cooked chicken | 6 months |
| Cut or ground chicken | 4 months |
Storing the chicken in a freezer is very preferable because this can slow down the bacterial growth, which can happen at a rapid speed when stored at normal room temperature. Although, the fridge cannot make the chicken last as long as they normally last in a freezer. According to the USDA, U.S Department of Agriculture, the chicken should not be kept in the fridge for more than 2 days. This rule applies to all sorts of poultry, raw and cooked. Cooked poultry can only last in the fridge for about three to four days.
When one wants to store the cooked chicken for more than four days, it is necessary to keep them in a freezer. Storing the chicken in the fridge, which is normally set to a temperature below 40 Fahrenheit, as bacteria grow slowly in this temperature. The chicken must also be stored in a leak-proof or airtight container so that the juices don’t leak and contaminate other dishes.
Even store-bought chicken can go bad when not stored properly after opening it. Frozen chicken brought from the store can be stored there for a very long time and after one buys them and does not store them properly, it might start going bad slowly. There are many ways to tell if the chicken is gone bad, and when one eats spoiled chicken it can lead to various health issues.
Why Does Frozen Chicken Last That Long?
Chicken bought from the store can get spoilt sooner than the ones that are stored in the home’s freezer. There are many ways to say if the chicken is gone bad. First, the chicken is past its “best before” date. Store-bought chicken always comes with a “best before” date and after this date, they are likely to get spoiled no matter how well one stores them. Changes in the color of the chicken will also be noticed.
The chicken will start taking up a grayish-green color and even molds might start growing after a while. It also starts emitting an acidic smell which normally smells like ammonia. Yet, if the chicken is raw, it is easy to notice the smell, but when they are marinated with sauces and herbs, the smell will be hard to notice. The chicken will also have changes in its texture when it goes bad.
Conclusion
The slimy texture is formed by the bacteria growing on the chicken and some people try to rinse off the slimy texture. Yet, the slimy texture cannot be rinsed off, because it will not destroy the bacteria and this bacteria can start cross-contaminating into other utensils, foodstuffs, and even surfaces. There are various risks of eating spoiled chicken.
When someone eats a spoilt chicken, they are at a high risk of getting a foodborne illness like food poisoning, which is caused by bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter. These toxins released into the body can cause various symptoms like vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, and much more.
References
- https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article-abstract/63/9/1228/169089
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0309174005001518
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