How Long Does Chicken Last in the Fridge or Freezer?

Wondering how long that chicken will last in the fridge or freezer? Cooked or raw, stored in the refrigerator or in the freezer, I’ve got a handy chicken storage time chart for easy reference. Plus I’m sharing all my best tips and food safety info for storing chicken properly, so you can make the most of every piece!

How Long is Chicken Good for?

Whether you buy chicken breast, thighs, drumsticks, wings, or a whole chicken, you’re going to need to store it until you’re ready to cook and eat it. And the simple storage guidelines are the same regardless of which part you use, boneless or bone-in, skinless or skin-on.

Proper storage is really important to make sure your chicken lasts as long as possible, and is safe to cook and eat. So I’m here to give you all the details!

I’ll tell you how long you can keep chicken in the refrigerator, how long chicken lasts in the freezer, how to store it properly, what to do with leftovers, and some other quick tips and FAQ you might be wondering about.

Fresh, Frozen, or Cooked Chicken

Throughout this post, I’ll be referring to chicken as fresh, frozen, pre-cooked, or cooked. For reference, here’s what that means:

• Fresh: Fresh chicken is raw, uncooked, and chilled/refrigerated, but has never been frozen.
• Frozen: Raw chicken that has never been cooked, and has been frozen.
• Pre-cooked: Chicken that has been cooked and prepared before purchase (like a rotisserie chicken).
• Cooked: Chicken that has been cooked by you at home.

Chicken Storage Time Chart

Keep reading for more details on storage times for uncooked vs cooked chicken, in the fridge and in the freezer.

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How Long Does Chicken Last in the Refrigerator?

2-5 Days

Chicken will last in the refrigerator for about 2-5 days, depending on if it’s cooked or uncooked.

• Fresh: Raw chicken will keep in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. So cook it within 2 days, or else move it to the freezer until you need it.
• Cooked: If you buy it pre-cooked (rotisserie), or cook it yourself, store it in the fridge and eat it within 3-5 days. Otherwise, you should store it in the freezer instead.
• Frozen: If you buy frozen chicken, you can store it in the fridge for 2-3 days before cooking it. It will defrost/thaw in that time, and will need to be re-frozen if not used in that timeframe.

How Long Does Chicken Last in the Freezer?

4 months – 1 year (Indefinitely if uncooked)

When properly stored in the freezer, raw chicken technically lasts indefinitely. This is what makes chicken one of my favorite things to keep on hand for easy dinners. It will keep for a very long time, regardless of whether you buy it fresh or frozen.

• Uncooked (Raw): If you are storing uncooked chicken in the freezer, it will be safe to eat indefinitely. Chicken does lose quality over time in the freezer, but it will still be safe to eat long-term. For best quality, I recommend using frozen chicken within 1 year.
• Cooked: If you are storing cooked chicken, freeze it for up to 4 months. Eating it within this time will result in the best quality.

How to Store Chicken Properly

Storing chicken properly is important for food safety and quality, and this includes never letting it sit out for more than 2 hours. Otherwise it will fall into the “danger zone”.

Chicken is unsafe to eat between the internal temperatures of 40-140°F (that’s the range between refrigeration and fully cooked). In this range, foodborne illnesses start to multiply, and can make you ill if ingested. That’s why these storage times are so important when handling chicken.

Follow these guidelines for storage to make sure your chicken will last in the freezer or fridge as long as possible.

Storing Chicken in the Refrigerator

For food safety purposes, your refrigerator should be kept between 35-40°F (4°C) at all times. If the temperature goes above 40°F, food may spoil.

• Fresh: Keep fresh chicken in its original packaging, and immediately store it in the refrigerator when you get home from the grocery store. Place it on a lower shelf, away from other foods (especially fresh foods/produce and unpackaged foods).
• Frozen: Keep frozen chicken in its original packaging, and store as directed above. Since it’s frozen, it will thaw in the fridge in about 1-2 days, and you can keep it refrigerated for 1-2 more days (2-4 days total). Only do this if you plan to cook it promptly, or else put it in the freezer.
• Pre-cooked/Cooked: Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. You can use shallow containers or resealable bags. Just be sure to remove all air and fully seal it. It will keep for 3-5 days.

Storing Chicken in the Freezer

For food safety purposes, your freezer should be kept at 0°F (-18°C), or below.

• Fresh: Keep fresh chicken in its original packaging to freeze. It will be fine in the freezer as is, as long as the packaging has not been opened or tampered with. If you want to store it for more than 2 months, I recommend wrapping the packaging tightly with heavy duty foil, or place it inside a freezer bag. This will help prevent freezer burn so that it lasts longer.
• Frozen: If you buy frozen chicken, place it in the freezer as soon as you get home from the supermarket. It will be freezer-safe in its original packaging. Follow the guidelines above if you want to store it long-term.
• Pre-cooked/Cooked: Let cooked chicken cool, then place in freeze-safe bags to store. For extra precaution, store it in the fridge for at least a few hours, then wrap pieces in aluminum foil, and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Eat within 2-4 months for best quality.

Dealing with Freezer Burn

Properly storing chicken in tightly-sealed bags/containers at the right temperature should prevent freezer burn. However, sometimes it happens! Luckily, freezer-burnt chicken is still safe to consume, but it does affect the quality. It may be dry, tough, or less flavorful.

If your chicken develops freezer burn in storage, I recommend cutting off affected pieces before cooking. If an entire piece (or the majority of it) is affected, you may want to toss it. If you want to salvage these pieces, use them with slow-cooking methods like braising, or use them in stews.

How to Spot Spoiled Chicken

After chicken has been sitting in the fridge for a few days, you might start to wonder if all is well…here’s how to decide if that piece of chicken is still good or not.

If chicken has a strange smell, has changed colors or turned gray (it should generally be somewhere between white and pink), or looks slimy or moldy, it has spoiled. And if you’re not sure, It’s better to be on the safe side. So when in doubt, throw it out!

Is Chicken Still Good After the “Sell by” or “Best by” Date?

Yes, chicken is safe to eat past the best used by date on the package.

Sell by, best used by, and expiration dates on poultry are generally for reference by the supermarket or seller, rather than the consumer. This date tells a grocery store when they need to throw out chicken instead of selling it.

For consumers (you, the person cooking and eating it), “best used by” date is more for quality assurance. Do not buy chicken at the store that has passed the date on the package (choose something with a later date if possible). But once you have it at home, follow all of the guidelines here about how long to store chicken in the freezer or fridge.

For example, if you buy chicken on the “best used by” date, store it in the fridge, and cook it within 1-2 days, it is totally safe to eat. Otherwise, you should freeze it.

If the chicken is stored in the freezer (continuously, without thawing), then you can safely cook and consume it well after that date, indefinitely.

Food Safety Tips for Storing Chicken

• Chicken should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F before consuming. Do not consume uncooked or undercooked poultry.
• You can safely thaw chicken in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave. I recommend defrosting in the fridge for best results. It will take 1-2 days.
• Do not wash, rinse, or soak raw chicken. This will likely spread bacteria to other foods and surfaces.
• When in doubt, store your chicken in the freezer! This will give you the best chance of keeping it for cooking and eating later.
• Store raw chicken away from other foods in the refrigerator. Otherwise, liquids and juices from the poultry could seep into other foods and contaminate them.
• Don’t be afraid to stock up on chicken when you find a good deal. Just put it all in the freezer when you get home, and you can defrost it for future meals.
• Do not partially cook chicken before storing. Either fully cook it before storing in the fridge or freezer, or store it uncooked.

Now that you know everything you could possibly be wondering about how long chicken will last, you can safely store it away for cooking and eating. Store chicken properly in the refrigerator or the freezer, and it will be there for you whenever you need it!