How to Tell If Your Cooked Chicken in the Fridge Has Gone Bad

Chicken is a popular source of protein and keeping cooked chicken in the fridge makes work night meals easy to prepare. But how do you know whether that cooked chicken is still safe to eat?

Well, that’s what we’re going to find out in this article. If you like eating chicken and don’t want to poison your family, keep reading.

How Long Does Cooked Chicken Last In The Fridge?

The amount of time that cooked chicken will last in your fridge depends on how it was prepared and processed. According to the official American food safety agency, chicken salad, chicken nuggets and burgers and leftover cooked chicken can last in your fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.

Cooked chicken sausage and luncheon meat will last for up to 7 days because these contain higher levels of salt which acts as a preservative.

How To Make Cooked Chicken Last

The way you store your cooked chicken plays an important role in how long it will last. It will only remain safe to eat for that 3 to 4 day window if you store it right.

The first thing to ensure is that the cooked chicken is stored in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking. That time should be reduced to 1 hour if the indoor and outdoor temperatures are 32^oC (90^oF) or above.

The bacteria that’s always present in chicken will multiply quickly if the meat stays in the danger zone temperatures of between 4^oC (40^oF) and 60^oC (140^oF).

You should store your cooked chicken in a clean dry airtight container or seal it in a new food grade plastic bag to help maintain its freshness and quality. You should then label the container with the date it got put in the fridge. This allows you to keep tabs on how long you have to safely use it.

Can You Freeze Cooked Chicken?

Yes, cooked chicken freezes well and can last for 2 to 6 months in the freezer depending on how it’s stored.

You should use airtight freezer safe containers or heavy duty freezer bags to prevent freezer burn. Label the container with the date it was frozen.

When you want to use the frozen cooked chicken, you should thaw it in the fridge, not at room temperature, to reduce the risk of bacteria.

Safe Reheating Practices

When reheating cooked chicken, it’s important to do it safely to avoid illness. You should;

• Reheat chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).
• Reheat only the portion you plan to eat. Avoid reheating multiple times.
• When using a microwave, stir the chicken halfway through and check for cold spots.

How To Tell If Cooked Chicken Is Safe To Eat

Whilst experts agree that cooked chicken should last for 3 to 4 days if refrigerated, it is possible for it to go off sooner. There are three ways to tell if your chicken has gone past its best which are;

1. Its Appearance
   If your cooked chicken has changed colour and now looks grey or green, it’s probably not safe to eat. Also any signs of a grey/green mould on the surface of the meat is another good indicator that the meat has gone bad.
2. Its Smell
   This can be slightly more difficult to recognise if the chicken has been marinated or cooked with herbs and spices. In some cases the chicken might not look bad at all but if it’s giving off a foul acidic or sulphur like smell, it should not be consumed.
3. Its Texture
   Once it starts to spoil, cooked chicken starts to look slimy. Once this happens, it’s too late to do anything about it. The bacteria present on the meat can’t be destroyed by reheating or rinsing.

So if your cooked chicken displays any of the above three signs, it should be thrown away.

What Would Happen If You Ate Spoiled Cooked Chicken?

If you have eaten chicken that’s past the 3 to 4 day safe storage mark, and it smelt, felt and tasted fine, you’ll probably be alright. However, it could make you really seriously ill. 

Food poisoning is a serious health threat especially in the very young, the very old, pregnant and nursing mothers and those with a compromised immune system.

You could suffer from nausea, vomiting, chills, diarrhea, dehydration and blood in your poo. If any of these symptoms persist for more than 24 hours you need to consult your doctor.

Best Uses For Cooked Chicken Leftovers

If you’ve just remembered about some cooked chicken in your fridge that needs using up, here are a few suggestions. You can;

• Make a chicken salad
• Add shredded chicken to stews and soups
• Add chicken chunks to casseroles and curries
• Add sliced chicken to wraps, tacos and pasta

What About Raw Chicken?

So far we’ve covered how long to store cooked chicken and how to tell whether it’s safe to eat or not. But what about raw chicken? If you’ve ever opened a packet of raw chicken that was past its best, you’ll probably still remember that foul smell (no pun intended).

To tell if raw chicken is off you can still use the same three ways that we used for cooked chicken, Appearance, Smell & Texture. But there’s also a fourth way to be sure that raw chicken should be safe to cook and that’s the use by date.

Check The Use By Date

So even before you leave the store, you can tell if the chicken is likely to be OK by checking that use by date. All store bought chicken (and other meats) should display a use by or best before date. This allows you to ensure that you have bought the freshest chicken in the store.

Raw Chicken Appearance

If the chicken has gone bad you’ll be able to notice a change in its appearance. Raw chicken should be pink and glossy. The fat should be a bright white and skin on chicken will have a cream coloured or yellow skin.

If any of those colours has changed to grey or greenish, or if the skin looks dried and doesn’t move easily, the meat isn’t fresh. And could possibly be bad.

Raw Chicken Smell

Raw chicken shouldn’t have much (if any smell) at all. If it has a strong smell you should probably not cook or eat it. Raw chicken that’s past its best might develop a fishy, sour or sulphur like smell similar to rotten eggs.

If your raw chicken has any of these smells, it should be carefully wrapped in a plastic bag to prevent any bacteria escaping and then dumped.

Raw Chicken Texture

If we’re being honest here, nobody likes the thought of touching raw chicken. But it is a good way to determine whether the meat is fresh or not.

Raw chicken should feel glossy, moist and a bit slippery. If it feels sticky, slimy or tacky, it should be thrown away.

How Long Can Raw Chicken Be Kept In The Fridge?

Raw chicken can be kept in the fridge for around 1 to 2 days. But it’s important to check it for any signs of spoilage like bad smells, changes in colour or a slimy texture before using.

If any of these signs are present, the chicken should be thrown away.

What Types Of Bacteria Are Involved?

Spoiled chicken often harbours harmful bacteria such as;

• Salmonella
• Campylobacter
• Listeria

These bacteria can cause serious illness if ingested, especially when food is improperly stored or reheated.

How To Reduce Waste

Here are a few tips to reduce food waste and make the most of your chicken;

• Store smaller portions separately to use only what you need.
• Freeze cooked chicken you won’t eat in 3 to 4 days.
• Use cooked chicken in versatile recipes to avoid boredom.
• Plan meals ahead to ensure leftovers are used up.

Important Allergy & Cross Contamination Precautions

To ensure food safety at all times you should;

• Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables.
• Wash hands, knives, and surfaces thoroughly after handling raw chicken.
• Never reuse marinades used on raw chicken unless boiled first.

When in Doubt, Throw It Out

Chicken is a nutritious and versatile staple in many kitchens, but it also poses real health risks when not stored or handled properly. Whether it’s cooked or raw, understanding the signs of spoilage and following safe food practices can help protect you and your family from foodborne illnesses. 

Trust your senses, if something seems off in appearance, smell, or texture, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you have any doubt, don’t risk it, throw it out. Your health is worth more than a second helping of dodgy chicken.

SEE ALSO: Can You Put Frozen Chicken In An Air Fryer? (breast, wings, mini fillets etc)

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