How to Tell If Chicken Is Bad

We’ve all been there: You buy a package of raw chicken at the grocery store, already dreaming of the recipes you’ll make, then…life happens. You forget about the chicken and a few days later, you’re wondering if it’s still good. It’s actually quite easy to tell if chicken has gone bad, whether it’s raw or cooked—here’s what you need to know: 

How to Tell If Raw Chicken Has Gone Bad 

You can tell that it is time to toss out the raw chicken by looking at its color and appearance—probably without even opening the package.

Fresh poultry appears moist, smooth, and pink. While mold definitely means the chicken is past its prime, there are some more subtle signs: Spoiled poultry might look slimy, dried, discolored, or have discoloration that ranges from yellow to gray and green.

There’s also the smell to consider. Raw chicken meat shouldn’t have any scent. You will know that the meat is no longer safe to eat when it gives off a foul scent or a scent that is reminiscent of rotten eggs. 

How to Tell If Cooked Chicken Has Gone Bad

Cooked chicken should stay good in the fridge (set to 40 degrees F or lower) for up to four days, according to the USDA. 

Like raw chicken, you should definitely throw out cooked chicken if it is growing mold. Still, mold may not necessarily grow on spoiled meat—you should also consider the texture and smell. If it’s mushy, slimy, or odorous, go ahead and throw it out. 

Can You Eat Chicken Beyond the Sell-By Date? 

The USDA requires poultry processors to provide a pack date or a code date for identification purchases, just in case a foodborne illness outbreak occurs. Many stores also put a “sell-by” date on raw or uncooked meat and poultry packaging. 

The USDA recommends using uncooked poultry, regardless of the sell-by date, within 1 to 2 days of purchase while placing it in the fridge. 

If you don’t plan to cook the meat within that time frame, it is best to store it in the freezer for future use.

How Long Does Chicken Last In the Fridge? 

Leave raw chicken in its original packaging and place it on the bottom shelf or drawer in the fridge. This prevents any potential raw meat juices from dripping onto your cooked food, creating cross-contamination.

If you bought the fresh chicken meat in bulk and want to use some within one to two days while storing the rest in the freezer, place the divided portions in a food-grade and airtight container and label the date to ensure you know when you will need to use the meat. 

Store cooked chicken in an airtight food container on a shelf above your raw meats. Don’t forget to write the date on the container so that you will use it within 3 or 4 days.

Leftover cooked chicken works well in chicken salad, chicken croquettes, or roast chicken soup.

How Long Does Chicken Last In the Freezer? 

When freezing chicken and other food items, make sure that the freezer is set at 0 degrees F. This temperature slows down the growth of bacteria. 

You can freeze a whole raw chicken for up to a year, but chicken pieces should only be frozen for up to nine months. Cooked chicken, meanwhile, can be frozen for up to six months. 

If you purchased fresh thighs and breasts in bulk, divide them into portions and freeze them in food-grade sealable freezer bags or sealed food containers (don’t forget to label them with the date). Whole chicken can be stored as-is, but make sure to also put the date of freezing on the packaging.