Although chicken can be stored in the freezer for a long period, at some point the flavor and texture of the chicken may deteriorate. So how long can chicken be frozen?
Whether the chicken is a whole bird, sliced into pieces, raw, or cooked, it all affects how long we can keep it in the freezer:
- Whole chicken: up to 1 year
- Chicken pieces, such as chicken cutlets: up to 9 months
- Ground chicken: 3 to 4 months
- Fully cooked chicken sausage: 1 to 2 months
- Chicken sausage purchased frozen: 1 to 2 months
- Cooked chicken: 2 to 6 months
How to Freeze Chicken
It’s excellent news that freezing raw chicken is quite easy. In actuality, all you need to do is place your poultry in a freezer-safe container after moving it to an airtight one.
The front or door of your freezer should not be used to store chicken (or any other meat), as these areas can experience temperature fluctuations.
Instead, nestle your tightly sealed chicken in the back, where it will remain secure and delicious for as long as possible.
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How Do You Prevent Freezer Burn?
Storing your chicken the right way helps prevent freezer burn, which results from the poultry being exposed to air, leading to dehydration. While we still deem chicken that is dried out because of freezer burn safe to eat, it may not be as tasty.
You have two options for vacuum-sealing chicken: either using the water-displacement method or manually pressing air out of the bag before sealing it.
The chicken is put into a freezer bag and slowly lowered into a bowl or pot of water using the water-displacement method.
As you lower the bag into the water, pressure is created, which pushes air through the bag’s top. You can seal the bag slightly above the water line once most of the air has been sucked out of it.
How Can You Tell if Chicken Has Gone Bad?
Chicken that has stayed beyond its expiration date is unsafe to consume, whether it is raw or cooked.
There are a few indicators that show whether you should discard rather than consume your chicken.
Although a change in color doesn’t always mean your meat has gone bad, the USDA notes that changes in color, odor, or texture can show ruined meat.
You may tell your chicken is past its prime when it becomes a grayish-green tint. Also, throw away any poultry with an acidic odor or a slimy texture.
How Do You Defrost Chicken?
There are three typical methods for defrosting frozen chicken. The refrigerator method is the most secure and advised approach, however, it also requires some forethought.
The Refrigerator Method
At least 24 hours before eating, move chicken that has been wrapped and frozen from your freezer to your refrigerator.
Your chicken can stay in the refrigerator once it has thawed for one or two more days before being cooked. The cold water approach is another option for defrosting meat; it is quicker but causes more care.
The Cold Water Method
Submerged in a big bowl of cold water while being kept in a leak-proof container. A three to four-pound entire chicken may take two to three hours to defrost, whereas little packages can do so in as little as an hour.
As the chicken thaws, the water should be changed every 30 minutes. Once the chicken is thawed, the chicken should be cooked right away.
The best ways to defrost chicken are in the refrigerator or with cold water. Use the microwave only as a very last option.
The Microwave Method
Take the chicken out of the packing and put it in a covered microwave-safe container or an oven-cooking bag.
Use the defrost option or a medium-high setting (70% power) to cook whole chickens for nine to ten minutes per pound or chicken breast halves for six to eight minutes per pound.
Although it is safe to cook food straight from the freezer, the USDA warns it will probably take 50% longer to cook your chicken this way than to cook chicken that has fully thawed.
How Can You Tell if Your Frozen Chicken is Still Safe to Eat?
If you freeze raw chicken while it is still fresh, you can expect that its quality will not change as long as you remove it from the freezer within the suggested window of time. However, when you thaw the chicken, things can still go wrong.
As you defrost it, keep an eye out for indicators of spoiling, such as a switch from pink to greenish-gray, a bad smell, or a slimy appearance. It is best to throw the meat away and be safe if you see any of these symptoms.
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How Long is Frozen Chicken Good After Expiration Date?
Chicken can be kept for a suggested time if frozen right before the expiration date. The expiration date is nullified once it has been frozen and then moves along according to suggested freezing procedures.
The safest course of action is to throw away any raw chicken that is beyond its expiration date.
Bottom Line
If stored properly, we can keep raw chicken in the freezer for a long time losing no of its freshness.
When thawed, frozen chicken is excellent in casseroles, soups, and stews. For ideas on how to cook with frozen chicken all year round, be sure to browse our selection of recipes.
