Highly popular among the non-vegetarian foodies, chicken is a great source of protein. Interestingly, there are various dishes which could be made using chicken. However, whether raw or cooked, it is always wise to be careful with the food item and not to keep it stored for an unnecessarily long time.
To safeguard your favorite food item, here is your answer to how long can you keep the chicken in the fridge along with some ways to tell if it has turned bad.
As per the recommendations of U.S. Food and Drug Administration, raw chicken can be stored in the fridge for one to two days. However, in case you cut it into pieces and store it in an airtight container in the freezer, it can be eaten even after a period of 9 months. On the other hand, if you store it without cutting it, it may stay safe for even an year.
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As recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, cooked chicken can be stored in the fridge for a bit longer period of three to four days. However, it is to be stored in the freezer for a lesser time as compared to raw chicken. It is safe to store it in the freezer for a period of four months only.
(Image Courtesy: Australian Chicken Meat Federation)
#1. Smell
Smell is an important indicator which tells if the food item has turned bad or not. A bad raw chicken gives off a strong and repellent smell. A cooked chicken, on the other hand, has an odor similar to that of rotten eggs when it becomes unfit for eating.
#2. Color
Another sign by which you can tell if the chicken has turned bad is by looking at its color. We all know that a fresh raw chicken is pale pink in color. If the color of the stored raw chicken begins turning into gray, it probably implies that it is unsafe to eat.
Cooked chicken, on the other hand, should ideally look white underneath if it is in a fresh state. In case the cooked chicken begins turning into gray or black, it is time you should throw it away.
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#3. Touch
A sure shot way of testing a raw chicken for its freshness is to touch it, and check its texture. In case the raw chicken feels to be greasy and snotty, it certainly implies that it is not safe to eat anymore.
#4. Taste
When all the aforesaid methods fail, taste is the handiest way of telling if the chicken is bad for eating. All you need to do is to have a small bite, see if it tastes bad, and spit it out immediately.
We would love to hear from you. How long do you think it is safe to keep the chicken in the fridge? Kindly use the comment box to share your thoughts and opinions with us.
(Featured Image Courtesy: The Paupered Chef)
