How to Determine How Long Chicken Will Keep in a Refrigerator
Chicken, turkey and other poultry require special safety precautions, especially when raw but also if cooked. The amount of time chicken will keep in the refrigerator depends on various factors. Follow the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service's safety guidelines for preparing and storing chicken. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Determine whether the chicken is raw or cooked. You must be much more careful with raw chicken than cooked chicken. Cooked chicken can be kept longer than raw chicken in the refrigerator.
-
2
Cook refrigerated raw chicken, bought before its expiration date, within one to two days of purchase.
-
-
3
Cooked chicken can safely be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days. However, if the chicken is covered with sauce or gravy, it should be eaten within one to two days. Likewise, chicken nuggets or patties should be eaten within one to two days.
-
4
Keep chicken in the freezer if you plan on keeping it for extended amount of time. A fresh, whole chicken can be stored in the freezer for up to a year, while uncooked parts can be frozen safely for up to nine months. Cooked chicken can generally be kept in the freezer for up to four months.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
It is better to be safe than sorry. If you suspect that your chicken is spoiled for any reason, don't take a chance.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
More Like This
Comments
-
I had a friend that said that her Mom used to always keep soup on the stove, add leftovers to it every day. She said that it lasted indefinitely. I do not know if she let it cool sometimes, refrigerate it and start over the next day. I just know that she said that children used to stop by on the way to school to get a cup of her soup.
-
I want to know if you bring leftovers to a boil every day and simmer for a while...How long then will it be safe to eat it?
