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How long does chicken last in the Fridge? Chicken is considered to be a mainstay protein in a lot of households. But, this tasty source of protein is highly susceptible to becoming contamination-free. That's why preparing, storing and cooking it correctly is important -- otherwise it could be an outbreak of food-borne illness. Although it's handy to keep chicken in your refrigerator, many aren't sure what time they should keep the chicken from freezing. This article will tell you how long chicken will stay in your fridge. How long does chicken stay at room temperature? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), states that chickens you have cooked can be kept in your refrigerator for as long as 1-2 days. This is the same for raw turkey or other birds. Chikem cooked in the meantime will last in the fridge for about 3-4 days. The idea of storing chicken in the fridge helps slow bacterial growth, as bacteria tend to slow down when temperatures fall less than 40degF (4degC). In addition, raw chicken should be stored in a sealed container, to keep the juices from spilling out and contaminating other foods. Cooked chicken should be kept in an airtight container. If chicken needs to be stored for more than a few hours, it is best to put it in your freezer. A whole chicken or pieces of chicken that are raw can be kept in the freezer for upto nine months. For 2 to 6 months, you can store cooked chicken in your freezer. Summary Raw chicken can last in the refrigerator for about 2 to 3 days. Cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. How to determine whether your chicken is bad A chicken that has been stored in the fridge for more than a couple of days could be at risk. Below are a few ways you can tell if your chicken is bad. It is past the "best before" date. Cooked or raw chicken that is not used by/before its "best by" dates is more likely to go bad. Color changes. Cooked and raw chicken that has begun to change color from gray-green is the sign of an unclean batch. Spots that appear gray-togreen from mold can be a sign of bacterial growth. It has a smell. Both cooked and raw chicken emits an unpleasant, acidic odor that can be confused with ammonia. The smell is difficult to detect if the chicken is marinated in sauces, herbs or spices. Texture. The chicken that has a slimy texture, is now rotten. How long can you keep cooked chicken in the fridge is possible to rinse the chicken to kill any bacteria. Instead, it spreads bacteria from chicken onto other surfaces and foods, leading to cross-contamination. If you think that the chicken in your refrigerator has gone bad, discard it. SUMMARY If the color of the chicken is starting to fade or it is exhibiting an acidic or foul odor It is possible to tell that it's not healthy. Risks of eating chicken that has been spoiled Foodborne illnesses can be caused through eating chicken that has been spoiled and is sometimes referred to be food poisoning. Chicken is at risk of causing food poisoning because it could be contaminated with bacteria like Campylobacter, Salmonella and many more. This bacteria is usually eliminated through cooking fresh chicken. However, it's still best to avoid cooking and eating spoiled chicken. Although cooking and reheating could kill some bacteria on the surface of the food, it's not enough to remove the toxins from bacteria. This can result in food poisoning. Food poisoning is a serious illness that can lead to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In extreme cases of food poisoning, hospitalization could be required. You shouldn't eat your chicken if you think it's been rotten. It is best to throw away the chicken you suspect to be degraded. SUMMARY The consumption of spoiled meat can lead to food poisoning, even though it's cooked well. The bottom line Raw chicken can be kept in the refrigerator up to one week while chicken that has been cooked will last between 3-4 days. To tell if your chicken is rotten, check the "best if used before" date, and then look for indications of spoilage like changes in texture, smell and color. Do not eat chicken that has been spoiled in case it causes food poisoning, even if you cook it thoroughly.
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