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How Long Does Chicken Last in the Fridge?
Chicken is considered a staple meat in many households.

This nutritious, delicious source of protein can be infected by bacteria. You must prepare it, store it, and cook it correctly to prevent food-borne illness.

Although it's convenient to keep chicken in the fridge However, many people ask how long they could safely store chicken.

This article will help you understand the length of time chicken can last in your fridge.

How long will chicken keep in the refrigerator?

According to the United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA") Raw chickens can remain in the fridge for approximately 2 to 3 days. Similar is the case for raw turkey and other poultry.

In the meantime, chikem that has been cooked can last in the refrigerator about 3-4 days.

The fridge can reduce the growth of bacteria since bacteria grow less at temperatures below 40°F (4 degree Celsius).

Raw chicken should be kept in a sealed container to prevent its juices from spilling into other foods. Chicken that has been cooked should be stored inside an airtight container.

If you have to store chicken for longer than a few days, it is best to keep it in your freezer.

Raw chicken pieces can be kept frozen for up to 9 months. A whole chicken could last up to one and a half years. Cooked chicken can be stored in the freezer for 2 to 6 months.

SUMMARY

Raw chicken could last for up to two days in the fridge, and cooked chicken can last up to 3-4 weeks in the fridge.

How do you identify if your chicken is bad

A chicken that has been stored in the refrigerator for longer than a couple of days could be at risk.

Here are some methods to determine if your chicken is poor.

It's past the "best before" date. Cooked or raw chicken that is not consumed before or prior to its "best by" dates is more likely to go bad.

Color change. Cooked and raw chicken that has begun to turn gray-green is a sign of a bad batch. Gray-to-green mold spots suggest bacterial growth.

Smell. Both raw and cooked chicken emit an acidic scent that is similar to ammonia after it has gone bad. It's possible to overlook this smell if your chicken is marinated in sauces and herbs.

Texture. It is time to rid yourself of the slimy appearance. It is possible to rinse the chicken to kill bacteria. Instead, it could spread bacteria from the chicken to other food items and surfaces which can lead to cross-contamination.

You can throw away any chicken that's rotten in your refrigerator.

A SUMMARY

If the color of the chicken is starting to fade or if it has a foul or acidic odor You can tell that it's not healthy.

Risques of eating spoiled or rotten chicken

Foodborne illnesses can be contracted by eating uncooked poultry, or foodpoisoning.

Food poisoning is a serious risk. It is a result of eating chicken, which may be contaminated in some way with bacteria such as Campylobacter as well as Salmonella.

Normally the bacteria get removed when you cook your fresh chicken well.

You should avoid eating or cooking spoiled chicken. Reheating and baking may kill the bacteria on the surface but it won't remove some of their toxins, which can cause food poisoning.

Food poisoning may cause uncomfortable and dangerous symptoms like a fever that is high (above 101.5" or 38.6degC) nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stooland dehydration.

Sometimes, severe food poisoning could cause hospitalization or death.

If you believe that your chicken is spoiled then don't consume it. It is always better to throw away chicken that you suspect is rotten.

Summary

Food poisoning can result from eating spoiled chicken, even if it is properly cooked.

The bottomline

Raw chicken can be kept in the fridge for up to a week and cooked chicken can last between 3 and 4 days.

Look up for the "best by" date to find out if the chicken is rotten. Also, look out for How long can you keep cooked chicken in the fridge as changes in texture, smell, or color.

Don't eat chicken that is rotten, as it can cause food poisoning -- even in the event that you cook it well.