Raw chicken in fridge for 5 days Reddit

r/cookingforbeginners

I had some frozen chicken breasts in the freezer and I took them out to thaw in the fridge last Friday(April 23) . We ended up not cooking them but I want to cook them today(Wednesday 4/28). They have been in the packaging this whole time, raw in the fridge. They don't smell bad. Do you think they are safe to eat? My sister keeps saying that raw chicken will only last three days in the fridge. I really don't want to waste them.

level 1

Hard to say without knowing what the expiration date on them is. I will say that food poisoning from bad chicken was probably one of the worst experiences in life so I would play it safe if you're not sure.

level 2

The sell by date on the package is april 8th. I froze them after I bought them and then I thawed them last friday.

level 1

Thank you to everyone for your advice and help. I really appreciate it. :) I am going to be safe and throw them away.

level 1

That can only be determined by the looks and smell. Dates are worthless because you can't know exactly how it was handled or transported.

level 1

Rules about spoilage are variable. Generally, it it smells fine and looks fine, it's fine. Thats a small amount of time too, 5 days isnt long. Especially since you've frozen them. I would eat them without concern.

On Friday around 2pm, I partially dethawed a big hunk of chicken breasts that were frozen together by sticking them in water. I then broke off what I needed for dinner Friday night, and just stuck the rest of them in the fridge (uncovered). It’s currently Sunday night. Are they still fine to cook and eat? Is there a way to tell when chicken has gone bad in the fridge?

And what’s the limit? Like would they still be fine if I waited to cook them for dinner tomorrow afternoon, 3 days after they were placed in the fridge partially dethawed?

When I Googled it, I saw many websites saying 2 days in the fridge is the max amount of time. Right now it’s about 2 days and 5 hours after I stuck them in there. I’m wondering if the 2 days rule is just being extra careful, or if it’s like a firm rule where the chicken would have a high probability of having gone bad at 3 days.

Thanks for any insight!!

EDIT: The chicken was already frozen when I bought it.

r/cookingforbeginners

Bought the chicken yesterday (Saturday) morning. It's been in the fridge since then. Will it still be okay to bake tomorrow (Monday)?

level 1

As long as it is refrigerated you will be just fine to cook it Monday. Tuesday as well. I would say Wednesday at the latest though.

Chicken usually gets a funky (rotten garbage) smell to it when it starts going bad

level 2

This. When it starts to go bad, you'll know.

level 1

You generally want to cook or freeze it it within 2 or 3 days. But if it's been wrapped in plastic and kept in the refrigerator, it won't kill you (or even make you sick) if you go a day or two longer.

level 1

While we're on the topic what about cooked chicken?

level 1

1-2 days only from fully thawed.

If you hadn't bought it when you did, it would have been perfectly fine sitting in the store's refrigeration section and sold by the Best By date. If someone walked in a store to buy it today, it would be perfectly acceptable. So, no difference whether it sat in your fridge until the date or sat in the store's fridge until the date. This is, of course, if your refrigerator is at the proper temp.

Regardless, always do the sniff test and if you are in any doubt at all, don't use it, especially when it comes to chicken. It's not worth getting sick over if it doesn't smell right.

This is coming from someone who refuses to throw out things based on the Best By or Sell By dates.. I take those with a grain of salt since I know they have to err on the side of caution. This is just my opinion. I am no food safety expert.

Look at the use by date on the package. If it’s discounted it’s probably going to spoil sooner rather than later.

Retailers oft build a little wiggle room into “use by” dates. They would rather say it’s going to spoil in two days when it’s probably ok for four days… to minimize liability risk.

The juice in the package also gives you a clue. It’s going to start clear and look more and more red (like blood) as the meat becomes less and less safe to eat.

If you buy chicken on discount, either freeze it right away or - better yet, cook it and freeze the cooked chicken with a bit of the cooking liquid so it’s not toothpick dry when you thaw and use it.

If you freeze it and forgot to freeze in som cooking juice, you can bring it up to heat in a pan with some chicken broth.

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