Food storage
How long does chicken last in the fridge?
Raw chicken lasts 1–2 days in the fridge; cooked chicken lasts 2 days. To keep it longer, freeze raw chicken for up to 9–12 months and cooked chicken for 2–3 months.
| Chicken | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Raw chicken | 1–2 days | 9–12 months |
| Cooked chicken | 2 days | 2–3 months |
| Chicken mince | 1–2 days | 3–4 months |
How to store chicken safely
Keep raw chicken sealed on the bottom shelf so it can’t drip onto anything else, and away from ready-to-eat food. Cool cooked chicken within 1–2 hours, then fridge it. Reheat only once, until piping hot all the way through.
How to tell if chicken has gone off
- Grey, dull or greenish colour instead of pink
- Slimy or sticky surface
- A sour or “off” smell
Use it up
Cooked chicken to use? It’s perfect for a curry, stir-fry, soup or wrap. Ask What’s in my Fridge what to make with it, or browse dinner ideas. See also: the full storage chart.
Stop losing food to the back of the fridge
Snap your shopping and What’s in my Fridge logs it, tracks freshness, and nudges you to use things before they go off.
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