The quality of frozen chicken is nothing to bawk about.
Every food has a varying time limit for the freezer, and chicken is no different.
Here’s how long frozen chicken lasts and guidelines for freezing chicken.
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
How Long Can You Store Chicken In The Freezer?
So, how long can youstore chicken in the freezersafely to ensure it tastes delicious when thawed?
It depends on the cut.
It’s important to note that the above qualifications relate only to the taste of the chicken.
Can You Store Cooked Chicken In The Freezer?
The USDA says yes, but there are time limits here, too, to ensure the best flavor.
How Long Does Chicken Last Past Sell-By Date?
It’s important to pay attention tosell-by dateson packaged chicken.
Raw chicken purchased at the store should be cooked or frozen one to two days after purchasing.
“After the date, peak quality begins to lessen, but the product may still be used.
The quality of the poultry may diminish the longer it is frozen.”
ensure the packaging doesn’t leak and that the chicken is fully submerged.
Change the water every 30 minutes.
This method takes about an hour to thaw a one-pound package of boneless chicken.
Freezer burn does not make chicken unsafe to eat, but it can affect the taste and texture.
If chicken has grayish-brown leathery spots, it is freezer burned.
Cut those parts away after cooking.
If the freezer burn is heavy, the quality wont be as good so consider tossing it.
The ice crystals form when moisture escapes from the food and freezes, a sign of freezer burn.
For small amounts, just scrape the ice from the surface.
Larger ice crystals could be a sign that the food has partially thawed and refrozen.
FoodSafety.gov.Cold food storage chart.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.Chicken from farm to table.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.The Big ThawSafe Defrosting Methods.
U.S. Department of Agriculture: AskUSDA.How long can meat and poultry remain in the refrigerator once thawed?
U.S. Department of Agriculture.Freezing and Food Safety.
