How Long Does Chicken Last?
By James OkaforReviewed 2026-01-01
Raw chicken lasts 1–2 days in the fridge at 40°F or below; cooked chicken 3–4 days. Raw chicken freezes 9–12 months, cooked 4 months. Never wash raw chicken — cook to 165°F. Gray, slimy, or sour-smelling chicken is bad, and bad chicken gets thrown out.
Chicken is the food that makes food safety real. It is the most common source of Salmonella and Campylobacter infections, and nearly every chicken-safety rule exists because of one simple fact: you cannot see bacteria, and they do not change how chicken looks until the spoilage has already begun.
The good news is that the rules are short. Raw chicken has a 2-day fridge window. Cook it to 165°F. Do not wash it. Freeze what you will not eat in time. That covers almost everything.
How long chicken lasts
| Storage method | Duration | Best practice |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge — raw whole chicken | 1–2 days | Fridge at 40°F or below |
| Fridge — raw pieces | 1–2 days | Use or freeze within 2 days |
| Fridge — cooked | 3–4 days | Refrigerate within 2 hours |
| Freezer — raw | 9–12 months (best quality) | 0°F; airtight packaging |
| Freezer — cooked | 4 months (best quality) | Cool before freezing |
| Counter | 2 hours max | Discard beyond the limit |
Storage conditions for chicken
Raw chicken goes into the fridge the moment you get home, ideally on the bottom shelf so its juices cannot drip onto anything else. Keep it in its original packaging, and put the package on a plate or in a shallow container to catch drips. If you will not cook it within 2 days, freeze it — the 2-day rule does not wait for a busy week.
Cooked chicken gets refrigerated within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), in shallow containers so it cools quickly. Do not leave it out overnight "to cool" — that is exactly how the bacteria in the danger zone multiply.
Food safety
Raw poultry is a high-risk food. Refrigerate at 40°F or below, cook to an internal temperature of 165°F, and never thaw on the counter. Throw away any raw chicken stored in the fridge for more than 2 days, and any cooked chicken in the fridge for more than 4 days. ::
How to tell if chicken is bad
Spoiled raw chicken is grayish or dull instead of pink, feels sticky or slimy, and gives off a sour, sulfury, "gone chicken" smell. Any of these means it goes in the bin — do not rinse it, do not cook it. Cooking kills the bacteria, but it does not remove the toxins and heat-resistant spores they can leave behind, which is why bad-smelling chicken can still make you sick.
For cooked chicken, trust the calendar more than your nose: after 3–4 days in the fridge, throw it out even if it still looks and smells fine. Leftovers do not always smell bad before they make you sick.
Warning
Do not taste raw chicken to check it, and do not rely on cooking to "save" questionable chicken. If raw chicken has been in the fridge past 2 days or smells off, discard it. No amount of cooking makes unsafe chicken safe. ::
Freezing and thawing chicken
Chicken freezes well. Raw chicken keeps best quality 9 months for pieces and 12 months for a whole bird; cooked chicken 4 months. Freeze in airtight, moisture-proof packaging to prevent freezer burn.
Thaw chicken safely three ways: in the refrigerator (the best — plan ahead), in cold water sealed in a leak-proof bag (change the water every 30 minutes), or in the microwave (cook immediately after). Never thaw on the counter — the outside reaches the danger zone while the inside is still frozen.
For step-by-step instructions, see how to freeze meat and the food safety temperature guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long does raw chicken last in the fridge?
Raw chicken stays safe in the fridge at 40°F or below for 1–2 days — that is the USDA-recommended window, not a suggestion. Use it or freeze it within two days of purchase. Packaged chicken with a use-by date should be used by that date even if the fridge is colder.
How long does cooked chicken last in the fridge?
Cooked chicken keeps 3–4 days in the refrigerator at 40°F or below. Cool it within 2 hours (1 hour if the room is above 90°F), refrigerate promptly in a sealed container, and reheat leftovers to 165°F. After 3–4 days, throw it out even if it looks fine.
How long can chicken be frozen?
Raw chicken keeps its best quality frozen for 9 months (pieces) to 12 months (whole bird) at 0°F, and stays safe indefinitely at that temperature. Cooked chicken is best within 4 months frozen. Freeze in airtight packaging and thaw in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave — never on the counter.
How can you tell if raw chicken has gone bad?
Trust your eyes and nose. Spoiled chicken is grayish, dull, or sticky, smells sour or sulfurous — that unmistakable "off chicken" smell — and feels slimy to the touch. If it smells bad, do not cook it: cooking kills bacteria but not the toxins some of them leave behind. When in doubt, throw it out.
Is it safe to wash raw chicken before cooking?
No. Washing raw chicken sprays bacteria around the sink and counters. Cooking to 165°F internal temperature kills the bacteria; washing just spreads them. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and discard them. This is the single most important poultry safety habit.
Sources
Shelf-life and temperature claims on this page are cited from tier-1 food-safety authorities. Always confirm current guidance before relying on dated information.
Written by
Senior food storage writer
Writer covering food storage shelf life, storage methods, and kitchen organization.
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