How to Tell If the Raw Craven in Your Fridge Is Bad

Not sure if that chicken y'all bought is still good to eat? Here's what health experts and a chef say to exercise.

Jan 5, 2021

How many times have you lot bought chicken breasts, thighs, or cutlets from the grocery shop for a recipe yous planned on making that night just instead, you ended up ordering take-out and stowed the raw meat into the depths of your fridge? We've all done information technology and nosotros're not here to judge yous. However, there's something yous should exist mindful of after y'all make up one's mind to relieve that pre-cut chicken for a later date—whether it'southward still fresh. That brings up the real question: practise yous know how to tell if chicken is bad?

This is important to learn, seeing as some 48 million people, or most i in vi Americans, are sickened from a foodborne illness every twelvemonth with 1 million of those cases having to exercise with craven, according to the Centers for Illness Control and Prevention. Salmonella, the pathogen that's found in uncooked eggs and poultry, is the second leading pathogen to cause domestically caused (food fabricated in your home) foodborne illness. We consulted head chef at HelloFresh, Claudia Sidoti, for the lowdown on how to check if your chicken is yet good to consume or if it'due south time to toss information technology out, merely first, we're going to recap why it tin can be dangerous.

Why is raw chicken bad for you?

Several types of leaner can alive on chicken earlier it's cooked. Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Clostridium perfringens can cause symptoms like fever, diarrhea, bloody stools, vomiting, and dehydration. These unsafe bacteria can exist transmitted if craven is undercooked, simply also if raw craven is out and comes into contact with cut boards, countertops, utensils, or other foods, the CDC says. Storing raw chicken on its own is a good idea. This manner juices don't come up into contact with anything else in your kitchen.

And after treatment refrigerated or frozen raw chicken, you should always wash your easily for at least xx seconds with soap and warm water to forestall the spread of germs.

What are the tell-tale signs that raw chicken has gone bad?

At that place are three piece of cake ways you lot can immediately check to run into if your craven has peaked far past it's prime once it's stored properly.

  • First, Sidoti advises looking for a change in color. "Fresh, raw craven should accept a pink, fleshy colour. Equally information technology starts to go bad, the color fades to a shade of greyness. If the color starts to look duller, you should use information technology immediately," she says. However, in one case the meat begins to await greyness, then it'south time to toss out that craven.
  • 2d, Sidoti says to trust your nose. "Raw chicken that has gone bad has a very potent olfactory property. Sometimes information technology tin be described every bit a sour smell. If the craven has taken on an odour of any sort, information technology'south safest to toss it," she explains.
  • Thirdly, the chef instructs to feel the meat. That's right, just get right in there and touch it to determine if it'south unsafe to eat. "Raw chicken naturally has a glossy, slimy texture," she says. Nonetheless, if the meat is extra slimy that'south another indication that could have gone bad.

Is at that place any mode to salvage raw chicken that may have already spoiled?

Basically, if it's gone bad, your best bet is to merely throw it out.

"It'south usually safe to only toss it," says Sidoti. "You put yourself at serious risk of getting ill."

Notation: The expiration date may also exist labeled as the "sell by" date. Make sure to only purchase chicken before that projected date to ensure the most prophylactic.

What about cooked chicken—nigh how long does information technology last in the refrigerator?

"Co-ordinate to the USDA, cooked chicken stored in the fridge is safe to eat for three to four days if it is properly stored," says Sidoti. "If you want to further extend shelf life, you can store it in the freezer where it will concluding for about three months. Once stored in the freezer, have it out the night before and let it thaw in the fridge."

The big takeaway: Don't let that cooked meat hang out in the fridge for a week! You tin can tell if cooked chicken has gone bad if it gives off a rancid odor or is showtime to expect grey. Once again, trust your senses.

Related: The Best and Worst Fast-Food Chicken Sandwiches, According to a Dietitian

Whatever tips on how to further prevent raw chicken from going bad?

There is one uncomplicated pull a fast one on to ensuring your chicken does non chop-chop spoil: Fresh chicken must be kept cold, then don't ever let information technology sit out on the counter, table, or anywhere that isn't refrigerated below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

"This will extend its shelf life and forestall the growth of bacteria. According to the USDA, raw chicken will only keep in the refrigerator for near one to two days," says Sidoti. "If kept in the freezer, it should stay prophylactic to thaw and eat for upward to nine to 12 months."

And she'due south right. The U.South. Department of Health & Man Services says a raw, whole chicken can last that long, but if it'southward in pieces, it can last for ane to two days in the fridge but but nine months in the freezer.

Annihilation else to know about how to tell if the chicken in your fridge is bad?

Sidoti says, "When in dubiousness, throw information technology out!"

You lot heard the chef; it'due south better to be safe than sad.

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