How long can you store chicken for safety and quality in the fridge or freezer?

The storage duration for chicken in the fridge or freezer depends on several factors, including the type of chicken (whole, pieces, ground), the storage temperature, and whether the chicken is raw or cooked.

Keep in mind that these guidelines are general recommendations, and factors such as the freshness of the chicken when purchased and the temperature consistency of your fridge and freezer can influence how long chicken can be safely stored. Always use your senses (sight, smell, and taste) to assess the quality of chicken before consuming it, and when in doubt, it's safer to discard chicken that shows signs of spoilage.

Additionally, if you plan to store chicken for longer periods, consider investing in a deep freezer, which can maintain lower temperatures and improve the quality of frozen foods over extended periods.

Here are some general guidelines:

Raw Chicken in the Fridge:

It's important to note that these timeframes are approximate and should be followed to ensure food safety. If you won't be using the chicken within these timeframes, it's better to freeze it.

• Whole raw chicken: 1 to 2 days.
•  Raw chicken pieces (like breasts, thighs): 1 to 2 days.
•  Raw ground chicken: 1 day.
  
  

Raw Chicken in the Freezer:

For best quality, chicken should be frozen at 0°F (-18°C) or lower. Proper packaging is crucial to prevent freezer burn. Use airtight freezer bags, heavy-duty aluminum foil, or vacuum-sealed packaging to minimize air exposure.

• Whole raw chicken: Up to 1 year.
  - Raw chicken pieces: Up to 9 months.
  - Raw ground chicken: Up to 3 to 4 months.
  
  

Cooked Chicken in the Fridge:

After cooking, refrigerate cooked chicken promptly to ensure its safety and quality. If you won't be consuming the cooked chicken within this time frame, you can freeze it for longer storage.

 

• Cooked chicken, whether pieces or whole: 3 to 4 days.
  
  
  

Cooked Chicken in the Freezer:

Again, proper packaging is essential to prevent freezer burn. It's recommended to label frozen cooked chicken with the date to help you keep track of its storage time.

 

• Cooked chicken: Up to 2 to 6 months.