The short answer: Raw chicken keeps only 1 to 2 days in the fridge. Cooked chicken keeps 3 to 4 days. Freeze it if you will not cook it within a day or two.
How long raw chicken lasts
- Raw, fridge: 1 to 2 days
- Raw, freezer: Pieces up to about 9 months, a whole bird up to about a year
- Cooked, fridge: 3 to 4 days
- Cooked, freezer: 2 to 6 months
How to tell raw chicken has gone off
- A sour or ammonia-like smell
- A slimy or sticky surface
- Grey or green patches
- A use-by date long past
How to make it last longer
- Keep it on the bottom shelf in a sealed container so raw juices cannot drip onto other food.
- Thaw in the fridge, not on the counter.
- Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Common questions
Can you refreeze chicken?
If it was thawed in the fridge and not left out, it is safe to refreeze, though quality drops. Chicken thawed in warm water or the microwave should be cooked first.
Is a slightly grey chicken breast bad?
Colour alone is unreliable. A sour smell or slimy feel is the clearer warning. If in doubt, throw it out.
General guidance only. These times are for food bought fresh and kept at 40°F (4°C) in the fridge or 0°F (-18°C) in the freezer. Your own fridge, the packaging and the state of the food always come first, and when in doubt, throw it out. The official US chart is on FoodSafety.gov.
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