How long does raw chicken last in the fridge?
Raw chicken keeps only 1 to 2 days in the fridge. Freeze it if you will not cook it by then: pieces keep their quality for 9 months frozen.
By Zain Nazeer, founder and editor
Photo by Cristian Guillen on Unsplash
Raw chicken keeps 1 to 2 days in the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or colder, whether it is whole, in pieces or ground. That is the US government's storage time, and it is much shorter than cooked chicken, which keeps 3 to 4 days. If you will not cook raw chicken within two days of buying it, freeze it.
How long does raw chicken last in the freezer?
At 0°F (-18°C) it stays safe indefinitely. For best quality:
- Whole chicken: up to 1 year.
- Chicken pieces, breasts and thighs: up to 9 months.
- Ground chicken: 3 to 4 months.
Freeze it in portions, wrapped tightly with the air pressed out; see how to prevent freezer burn.
How should you store raw chicken in the fridge?
On the bottom shelf, in a container or on a plate, so its juices cannot drip onto other food. Keep it in its pack until you use it. Check the use-by date on the pack, and go by whichever is sooner: the date or two days.
Should you wash raw chicken?
No. US and UK food safety agencies both advise against it. Washing does not remove bacteria; it splashes them around the sink and counter. Cooking kills them.
How do you thaw frozen chicken safely?
- In the fridge: overnight for pieces, a day or more for a whole bird. It then keeps another 1 to 2 days.
- In cold water: in a sealed bag, changing the water every 30 minutes. Cook it straight away.
- In the microwave: on defrost, then cook it straight away.
Never on the counter. More in how to thaw meal prep safely.
What temperature should chicken be cooked to?
165°F (74°C) in the thickest part. Use a thermometer; pink or clear juices are not a reliable test. The method for juicy chicken that keeps all week is in chicken breast or thigh for meal prep.
How can you tell if raw chicken has gone off?
A sour or strong smell, a slimy or sticky surface, or a grey-green colour mean throw it away. When in doubt, throw it out.
How long does it keep once cooked?
3 to 4 days in the fridge by US guidance, or 2 days by UK guidance. See how long cooked chicken lasts in the fridge, and recipes such as chicken fajita bowls.
Sources
More getting started guides
See all
How long do eggs last in the fridge?
Raw eggs in their shells keep 3 to 5 weeks in the fridge. Hard-boiled eggs keep a week, and egg dishes 3 to 4 days. How to store them and what the dates mean.
How long does cooked steak last in the fridge?
Cooked steak keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 2 to 3 months in the freezer. Raw steak keeps 3 to 5 days. How to store, reheat and use leftovers.
Halal meal prep: a week of recipes and what to check
Most meal prep is easy to make halal: use halal meat, skip pork and alcohol, and check a few labels. A week of recipes from this site that fit.