How long is it safe to keep cooked chicken in the fridge?

Many people cook a lot of chicken at once and store it in the fridge for later consumption. However, many people have questions about how long it is safe to keep it in the fridge. Food safety experts say that even if stored properly, cooked chicken is not safe to keep in the fridge for a long time. Cooked chicken can usually be safely kept in the fridge for three to four days. Keeping it for longer than this increases the risk of bacterial growth and may make the food unsafe to eat.

Experts say that even if you keep it in the fridge, the growth of bacteria does not stop completely, and bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and Clostridium perfringens can be present, which are one of the causes of foodborne illnesses.

If the chicken smells sour or its color turns gray or green, it is considered a sign of spoilage. Experts advise avoiding eating such food.

Cooked chicken is safe to keep in a regular fridge (normal) for 3 to 4 days. However, to maintain the taste and quality, it is best to eat it within 2 days. If kept in the deep freezer, it can be good for up to 2 months. The food must be kept in an air-tight container and the temperature must be 74° Celsius or higher when reheating.

Storage and safety tips:

Quick storage: Food should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking.

Deep freeze: If you want to keep it for a long time, it is necessary to keep it in the deep freezer (-18° Celsius or below).

Signs of spoilage: If the meat has a sticky texture or a bad smell, it should not be eaten.

Reheating: Reheating food that has been reheated once and then reheating it repeatedly in the refrigerator is harmful to health.