How long does cooked chicken last in the fridge?
Three to four days in the fridge and two to six months in the freezer, if it was chilled within two hours of cooking.
Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash
Cooked chicken keeps three to four days in the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That is the figure US food safety agencies give for cooked poultry, and it is why the chicken recipes on this site say four days at most. Count from the day you cooked it, not the day you opened the container.
Does it matter how quickly it went into the fridge?
Yes, more than anything else. Bacteria grow fastest between 40°F and 140°F. Cooked chicken should be in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking, or within 1 hour if the room is hotter than 90°F. Chicken left out on the counter all afternoon is not made safe again by putting it in the fridge.
To chill a big batch quickly, slice or shred it and spread it out in shallow containers. A deep pot of chicken stays warm in the middle for hours. The whole routine is in how long meal prep lasts.
Is chicken in a sauce or with rice any different?
The same three to four days apply to chicken curry, chicken and rice bowls and chicken soup. With rice, cool the rice quickly too, because rice has its own risk if it sits warm. US guidance gives cooked rice three to four days; UK guidance is stricter and says eat it within 24 hours. See can you freeze cooked rice.
How long does it last in the freezer?
Frozen at 0°F (-18°C), cooked chicken stays safe for as long as it stays frozen. For the best texture, eat it within two to six months. Freeze it in single portions so you thaw only what you need, and thaw it in the fridge, not on the counter. How to thaw meal prep safely covers the three safe methods.
How can you tell if cooked chicken has gone off?
A sour smell or a slimy surface means it has gone off, so throw it away. The opposite is not true: the bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change how food looks or smells. If the chicken is past four days, throw it out even if it seems fine.
How should you reheat it?
Until it is steaming hot all the way through, 165°F (74°C) if you have a thermometer. Add a splash of water and cover it, so it does not dry out. Only reheat the portion you are eating. More tips are in how to reheat meal prep.
Which chicken recipes keep best?
Thighs stay juicier than breast after a few days, which is why garlic chicken and rice bowls use them. Chicken tikka with rice and peas freezes well, and chicken fajita bowls reheat in two minutes. For the choice of cut, read chicken breast or thigh.
Sources
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