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The Lowdown on Chicken Safety: What You Need to Know

Understanding the Risks of Spoiled Chicken

Consuming spoiled chicken can lead to food poisoning, causing symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. To avoid health risks, it’s essential to learn how to store and identify bad chicken.

How Long is Refrigerated Cooked Chicken Safe to Eat?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides clear guidelines on how long to keep chicken in the fridge before it becomes a game of food poisoning Russian roulette:

• Raw chicken: 1 to 2 days
• Cooked chicken: 3 to 4 days

This assumes your fridge is at a bacteria-slowing temperature below 40°F (4°C). If your refrigerator is warmer, bacteria grow, and your chicken becomes a germ party.

What Happens When Cooked Chicken Goes Bad?

If you’re wondering how long cooked chicken stays fresh in the fridge, the answer is 3 to 4 days. However, if you associate freshness with flavor and texture, Day 1 Fridge KFC probably tastes a lot fresher than Day 4 Fridge KFC. Both are safe by FDA standards, though.

Identifying Spoiled Chicken

Luckily, it’s easy to tell if eating the chicken in your fridge is a one-way ticket to Diarrhea Town. If your cooked but cold poultry shows any of the following signs, it’s best to avoid chowing down:

• The “best by” date is past tense.
• The color changes (gray/greenish).
• It smells (acidic, like ammonia).
• Texture is slimy.

The Risks of Food Poisoning from Chicken

Chicken is a high-risk food for bacteria growth, including Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Clostridium perfringens. Eating stale chicken can lead to food poisoning, which can be fatal in extreme cases.

Symptoms of Food Poisoning

If you’re feeling any of the following after eating cooked chicken from the fridge, there’s a high chance you’ve got food poisoning:

• High fever (above 101.5 °F or 38.6 °C)
• Chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Bloody stool
• Dehydration
• Hospitalization

Cooking and Prepping Chicken Safely

To minimize the risk of food poisoning, it’s crucial to cook and prep chicken correctly. Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165 °F (73.9 °C) to ensure food safety. Always prep and cook in a clean environment with clean utensils to prevent cross-contamination.

Keeping Cooked Chicken Fresh

To keep cooked chicken fresh, follow these tips:

• Store in an airtight container to prevent bacterial growth and cross-contamination.
• Keep your refrigerator at a temperature below 40°F (4°C).
• Eat within the 1- to 4-day safety window.

The Final Wrap

Still unsure about that leftover popcorn chicken? Here’s a quick rundown:

• Cooked chicken can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days and still be safe to eat.
• Raw chicken should be consumed within half that time.
• If you want to keep cooked chicken longer, freeze it for 4 to 6 months (depending on whether it’s in sauce).
• Food poisoning is no joke, and chicken is a significant risk food.
• Always prep and cook chicken thoroughly to avoid undercooked chicken.

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy your favorite chicken dishes while minimizing the risk of food poisoning.