How Long Is Cooked Chicken Good For In The Fridge (And Why)?

How Long Is Cooked Chicken Good For In The Fridge (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 3 to 4 Days

Whether it is fried, grilled, or baked, any sort of cooked chicken in the refrigerator can act as a quick bite. Under normal circumstances, cooked chicken can last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Chicken salad is also a popular dish when it comes to storing cooked chicken.

If there are any changes in the appearance of the chicken, its smell, taste, and texture it should not be consumed. In the freezer, cooked chicken can last for around 3 to 4 months. It is recommended to consume the chicken as fresh as possible.

After a certain point of time, bacteria can also grow on the chicken which is frozen. To avoid this consume the chicken before the time of its expiration. Freshly cooked chicken tastes better than cooked chicken which is frozen.

Whatever may be the method of cooking chicken, be it grilling, baking, or frying, it has a safe to consume time before which it should be eaten. The time for the cooked chicken to stay good in the refrigerator also depends on the temperature of the refrigerator.

Eating old and stale cooked chicken way past its expiration can even lead to food poisoning. The method of preparation of chicken also influences the shelf life of the cooked chicken by which it can be consumed.

Before refrigeration, it is crucial to make sure that the chicken is cooked properly and is not left raw. If the chicken is raw after cooking, chances of bacteria growth on it increase.

How Long Is Cooked Chicken Good For In The Fridge

How Long Is Cooked Chicken Good For In The Fridge?

The time for which cooked chicken stays good in the fridge depends on numerous aspects. On average, cooked chicken can last for around 3 to 4 days before it becoming stale and unsafe for consumption.

The cooked chicken must be stored in an airtight container to retain its freshness. It is also very crucial to thoroughly cook the chicken before storing it. Raw chicken has a high possibility of getting spoilt.

Before the refrigeration of the cooked chicken, it is vital to let it cool down to room temperature. After the refrigeration, the cooked chicken must be consumed within three to four days.

Labeling the container of cooked chicken is a good practice, to help remember the date the chicken was cooked. If the chicken would not be consumed in three to four days, it is recommended to freeze it to hold on to its freshness.

Grilled chicken can stay for a longer time in the refrigerator as compared to fried chicken. When the color of the chicken changes, its texture becomes different and it smells bad, it is recommended to avoid consuming that chicken.

Summary:

Type Of ChickenHow Long It Will Stay Good Refrigerated
Raw Chicken1 to 2 Days
Cooked Chicken3 to 4 Days
Grilled Chicken3 to 4 Days
Fried Chicken3 to 4 Days

Why Does Cooked Chicken Stay Good For That Long In The Fridge?

When cooked chicken is stored in the refrigerator, it reduces the speed of bacterial growth and the chicken stays good for more time. For proper storage of cooked chicken, the temperature of the refrigerator should also be set perfectly.

The cooked chicken must be stored in a completely sealed container to avoid the leakage and contamination of other foods in the refrigerator. For storing chicken for a long time, it is recommended to store it in the freezer.

If there are any doubts regarding the freshness and edibility of the cooked chicken, it is crucial to not eat it. The chicken must only be consumed if it is fresh and does not display any signs of being spoilt.

By cutting the cooked chicken into smaller pieces, it will speed up the cooling process. This will help the chicken to refrigerate quickly and stay fresh for a longer time. Keep the cooked chicken away from raw chicken to avoid the spread of bacteria.

Conclusion

The chicken must be cooked thoroughly and shouldn’t be left raw before refrigerating it. Cooking the chicken properly will increase the shelf life of the cooked chicken.

Before the refrigeration of the cooked chicken, it is crucial to ensure that the chicken is stored in an airtight container and the lid of the container is closed properly.

References

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814609013521
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169116305214

Last Updated : 23 February, 2024

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