Even slightly past its prime or improperly stored, nutritious chicken can become a source of illness, leading to severe abdominal pain from food poisoning.

Shelf life of chicken when stored in the refrigerator

“Use fresh chicken within one to two days if stored in the refrigerator’s cool compartment”," advised Doctor Urvi Shah, a food safety expert, in an interview with Good Housekeeping. Similar to beef, this is the safest time window for preparation.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), raw chicken can be contaminated with dangerous bacteria such as campylobacter, salmonella, or clostridium perfringens. The most alarming aspect is their invisibility to the naked eye.

The CDC estimates that approximately 1 million Americans fall ill each year from consuming contaminated poultry. The agency reports that one in 25 packages of chicken at grocery stores is contaminated with salmonella. This underscores why proper handling and storage are not just good practices but a lifeline to prevent severe pain from food poisoning.

Use fresh chicken within one to two days if stored in the refrigerator's cool compartment. Illustration: Bui Thuy

Signs of spoiled chicken

Color is not always a reliable indicator for assessing chicken. Jorge Thomas, a chef and founder of Swaledale Butchers, explains that vacuum-packed chicken “may look and smell slightly unusual upon opening, but it’s actually fine.” The meat's color might be darker when first unwrapped, but it will return to a pinkish hue after exposure to air. A faint odor can also be normal and should dissipate within a few minutes.

“What’s more important is whether the smell lingers, if the chicken feels slimy, or if it still looks dull and 'off' after being exposed to air for a while”," Thomas emphasized. If any of these signs appear, discard it immediately.

When to move chicken to the freezer?

If you do not plan to cook the chicken within the next one or two days, freeze it while it is fresh. This is the best way to ensure the quality of the dish later.

“Freezing is absolutely a good idea if you won’t use them in time”," Thomas affirmed. Doctor Shah concurred, adding that freezing chicken “indefinitely” causes no harm.

However, the expert noted: “The quality of the meat may decline if left in the freezer for too long (up to 11-12 months)”." To prevent the meat from drying out and developing grayish-brown spots (freezer burn), wrap it thoroughly with plastic wrap or specialized aluminum foil before long-term storage.

My Y (According to Yahoo, Good Housekeeping)