How long does chicken last in the fridge?
Quick answer
- In the fridge
- Raw: 1–2 days · Cooked: 3–4 days
- In the freezer
- Raw pieces: 9 months · Whole: 1 year · Cooked: 2–6 months
Sources: FoodSafety.gov — Cold Food Storage Chart · Last reviewed October 1, 2026
Raw chicken is highly perishable — 1–2 days in the fridge at 4°C or below. Cook or freeze it the day you bring it home, or the day after at the latest. Cooked chicken lasts 3–4 days refrigerated in a sealed container. Frozen raw chicken keeps its quality for 9 months; cooked chicken for 2–6 months. Color change alone isn't a reliable spoilage indicator — smell is. Stronger-than-usual or sour odor means it's done.
How to store chicken
Always store raw chicken on the bottom shelf of the fridge in a sealed container or its original tray on a plate — bottom shelf so juices can't drip onto other foods, sealed to keep cross-contamination at zero. Keep the fridge at or below 4°C. Don't wash raw chicken before cooking; rinsing splashes bacteria around the sink. If freezing, do it the day you buy it — re-wrap in freezer-safe bags to prevent freezer burn. Thaw in the fridge overnight, never on the counter.
- Bottom shelf in a sealed container or tray on a plate
- Keep fridge at or below 4°C
- Don't rinse raw chicken — spreads bacteria
- Freeze the day you buy it if you won't cook within 1–2 days
- Thaw overnight in the fridge, never on the counter
Signs it has gone bad
- Sour, ammonia-like, or off smell
- Sticky or slimy surface
- Grey or greenish tint
- Visible mold or unusual texture
Frequently asked questions
How long is raw chicken good in the fridge?
Raw chicken lasts 1–2 days in the fridge at or below 4°C. Cook or freeze it the day you bring it home.
How long does cooked chicken last?
Cooked chicken keeps 3–4 days refrigerated in a sealed container. Reheat thoroughly before eating.
Can you freeze raw chicken?
Yes — best within a day of purchase. Freezer life is about 9 months for raw, 2–6 months for cooked. Thaw in the fridge, never on the counter.