How to Identify Spoiled Chicken

We've all experienced it: You pick up a pack of raw chicken at the store, excited for the meals you'll make, only to forget about it in the fridge. A few days later, you're wondering if it’s still safe to eat. Don’t worry—determining if chicken has gone bad, whether raw or cooked, is easier than you think. Here’s what you need to look for:

How to Recognize When Raw Chicken Is No Longer Safe to Eat

To know when raw chicken has gone bad, simply inspect its appearance and color. In many cases, you’ll be able to tell just by looking at the packaging without even opening it.

Fresh chicken should look moist, smooth, and pink. While obvious signs like mold mean the chicken is spoiled, look for other subtler indicators as well. It may appear slimy, dry, or discolored, with hues ranging from yellow to gray or even green.

Smell is another key factor to watch for. Fresh raw chicken should be odorless. If the chicken emits a strong, unpleasant odor or smells like rotten eggs, it's no longer safe to eat.

How to Recognize When Cooked Chicken Has Spoiled

Cooked chicken can be safely stored in the fridge (set to 40°F or lower) for up to four days, as recommended by the USDA.

Just like with raw chicken, mold on cooked chicken is a sure sign it needs to be discarded. However, even if mold isn’t visible, check the texture and smell. If it’s slimy, mushy, or has an unpleasant odor, it’s time to toss it.

Is It Safe to Eat Chicken After the Sell-By Date?

The USDA mandates that poultry processors include a pack or code date for tracking purposes in case of a foodborne illness outbreak. Many stores also print a ‘sell-by’ date on raw or uncooked meat and poultry packaging for customer reference.

The USDA advises using uncooked poultry within 1 to 2 days of purchase, regardless of the sell-by date, if stored in the fridge.

If you don’t plan to cook the chicken within this timeframe, it’s best to freeze it for later use.

How Long Can Chicken Be Stored in the Fridge?

Keep raw chicken in its original packaging and place it on the bottom shelf or in a drawer of the fridge. This minimizes the risk of raw meat juices contaminating cooked food.

If you buy chicken in bulk and plan to use some within one to two days while freezing the rest, store the portions in a food-safe, airtight container. Don’t forget to label the date so you know when to use it.

Store cooked chicken in an airtight container on a shelf above your raw meats. Be sure to mark the date on the container so you can use it within 3 to 4 days.

Leftover cooked chicken is perfect for making chicken salad, chicken croquettes, or a comforting batch of roast chicken soup.

How Long Can Chicken Be Stored in the Freezer?

When freezing chicken or any other food, ensure your freezer is set to 0°F. This temperature helps prevent bacteria from growing.

You can store a whole raw chicken in the freezer for up to a year, but chicken pieces should only be frozen for up to nine months. Cooked chicken can be kept frozen for up to six months.

If you buy fresh chicken thighs and breasts in bulk, portion them out and freeze in food-safe, sealable bags or containers. Don’t forget to label them with the date. Whole chickens can be frozen as-is, but make sure to note the freezing date on the packaging.