How Long Can Chicken Stay In The Fridge Cooked

One of the most consumed foods in the United States is chicken. From fried chicken to baked, roasted, grilled, or having it in salads, there are many ways of enjoying this dish.

Chicken is a must-have during family dinners and holidays. This means you run the risk of having a lot of leftovers.

When you have leftovers, the most appropriate way of storing your chicken should be in a refrigerator. This will ensure your chicken stays fresh for longer.

chicken and other meat in the fridge

Leaving it on the counter will provide a breeding environment for bacteria, and your chicken will start going bad after a couple of hours.

However, what is the longest time you can store your chicken in the fridge?

If you stored your chicken under the best conditions recommended by the USDA, i.e., in an airtight container, then it should last three to four days in the fridge. This rule applies to all types of cooked chicken despite the cooking method used.

What to do if you have a lot of leftovers

If you have more leftovers than you plan on eating in the next four days, then the best storage method should be in a freezer. Chicken would last for a maximum of 4 months in the freezer.

Please remove it from the freezer only when you are ready to eat the meat. Remember, it is not safe to remove it from the freezer and then return it to the freezer again later.

roast chicken

After removing your chicken from the freezer, let it thaw entirely while in the fridge. Remember, you should never thaw your chicken at room temperatures.

When completely thawed, reheat the chicken on the stove or using your favorite method. You can also use a microwave, although you run the risk of having a dried-out chicken that is quite chewy.

What happens if you consume an overstayed chicken?

If you consume chicken that has lasted more than four days in the refrigerator, you will end up with food-borne illness. This is because even in the fridge, the bacteria still grow though at a slower rate.

After four days, the chicken will be contaminated with full-grown bacteria, and decomposition should start. This means this chicken would have started spoiling.

You should note that chicken can look good, smell good, and feel good, but it is still not safe for consumption as long as it has stayed more than four days.

Doesn't reheating cause the bacteria to die?

Yes, reheating chicken will cause the bacteria on the surface to die. However, since decomposition starts after the fourth day, toxins are released in the process, and these toxins will cause stomach poisoning. The bacteria underneath will most likely survive too and continue releasing the toxins.

How would you know that chicken has spoilt?

Life gets busy, and there are times we forget about the food we put in the fridge, and long ago, we did that. It is essential to label your food and put the timestamp when you put them into the fridge or when to remove them.

However, in cases where you have not done this, then you should check out the following signs to figure out whether your chicken is safe for consumption or not.

The smell

The smell of your chicken will help determine whether it is safe for consumption or not. Perform the classic smell test on your chicken before reheating it. If it has a strange smell, then toss it into the bin. Often this smell will be ammonia-like.

Color.

Cooked chicken is usually brown. Depending on the cooking method, it can range from light brown to dark brown. But the inside of the chicken is usually whitish. Chicken that is not safe for consumption will have a greyish-green hue. It will be so evident you will not fail to notice. Be on the lookout.

Texture

You feel the chicken using your fingers. If you notice a slimy film, then that is a sign that you should throw your chicken away.

You should always do the above tests to ensure your chicken is safe for consumption. Never taste chicken to tell whether it is safe or not. This would lead to stomach poisoning.

How do you correctly freeze and thaw chicken?

Freezing chicken is just as crucial as chilling it in the fridge. To freeze your chicken, put it in airtight containers or freezer bags. Freezer bags are better since they take just a little space. Ziplock the bags.

Mark your bags and label them with the date. This will help you keep track of the time the chicken takes in the freezer, as you will be able to know if the chicken has overstayed.

You should never freeze chicken that has overstayed in room temperatures. By overstay I mean, chicken that has taken longer than 2 hours at room temperature or has overstayed in the refrigerator.

There are three main ways of correctly thawing your chicken. You can either use a refrigerator, a microwave, or cold water. Remember to ensure your chicken does not fall in the danger zone between 40F and 140F.

Thaw in a refrigerator

To thaw in a refrigerator, transfer your chicken to the fridge and let it thaw slowly, preferably overnight. This ensures the temperatures remain below 40F.

Thaw in cold water

This works, too, if you do not have a refrigerator. Put cold water into a pot and put your chicken, while still in your airtight container, into the cold water. Let it thaw. This is great since it ensures the temperatures remain below 40 F.

Thaw in a microwave

Thawing in a microwave is a fast and safe option too. Ensure your microwave settings are okay and ensure your chicken does not overcook in the process. With a microwave, the temperatures remain above 140F.

Bottomline

The ideal number of days to store your chicken in the fridge is four days. This might vary depending on the fridge's temperatures and other factors like the time the chicken was out before being stored in the refrigerator. However, you should ignore all these factors and ensure your chicken does not stay more than the required days in the fridge.