Claire Thompson
Chicken is a versatile staple food for many households. However, it can spoil and make you ill. It's important to know how to tell if chicken has gone bad. The first thing to do is to check the use-by date before purchasing chicken. You can also look out for signs of spoilage, such as a slimy, sticky, or tacky texture, or a foul smell. If you're storing chicken, make sure your refrigerator is set to below 40°F and don't leave it out at room temperature for more than a few hours. You can store chicken in the freezer, where it will stay safe to eat indefinitely, but for best quality, it should be eaten within a year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Check for visible signs of mould growth or colour changes. Fresh raw chicken has a glossy, smooth, and shiny texture. |
| Texture | Chicken should not be slimy, sticky, tacky, or have a filmy layer on top. Fresh raw chicken is somewhat soft, while cooked chicken is drier and firmer. |
| Smell | Fresh raw chicken has a very mild or no smell. A foul smell is a sign of spoilage. |
| Expiry Date | Check the "use-by" date, "pack date", or "best if used by" date on the package. Uncooked chicken lasts up to two days in the fridge, while cooked chicken lasts three to four days. |
| Storage | Store chicken in the freezer if not used within one to two days of purchase. Frozen chicken can be stored indefinitely but is best consumed within one year for raw chicken and four months for cooked chicken. |
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Check the smell
Smell is a good indicator of whether chicken has gone bad. Fresh, raw chicken has a very mild smell or none at all. If your chicken is giving off a foul scent, or a scent reminiscent of rotten eggs, it has gone bad.
People's sense of smell varies, so not everyone will notice a change in the smell of chicken. However, if your chicken smells bad, sticky, slimy, tacky, or has a filmy layer on top, it has likely gone bad. Bacteria can cause meat or poultry to become slimy and develop an odour, so be sure to check the smell of your chicken before cooking or eating it.
If your chicken has been stored in the freezer, it can be difficult to smell it accurately. Frozen chicken should be eaten within a year for the best quality. If you're unsure, it's better to throw the chicken out rather than risk consuming it and getting sick.
It's important to note that smell is not the only indicator of whether chicken has gone bad. You should also check the appearance, texture, and colour of the chicken, as well as the use-by date on the package.
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Examine the texture
The texture of raw chicken is a key indicator of its freshness. Fresh raw chicken has a glossy, shiny, and somewhat soft texture. It should not be slimy, sticky, tacky, or dry. If your hands feel slimy after touching raw chicken, it has likely gone bad. Raw chicken may have a slightly slimy feel to it, but if it remains slimy after being rinsed and patted dry, it is no longer good.
To test the texture of raw chicken, you can try pressing down on the meat. If the flesh is so soft that it leaves an imprint, it has likely gone bad. Fresh raw chicken should also have a light pink hue with white pieces of fat. If the colour fades to yellow, grey, or green, it is no longer safe to eat.
Cooked chicken has a different texture from raw chicken. It is firmer and drier. If cooked chicken becomes mushy, slimy, or develops a residue, it is likely spoiled.
In addition to examining the texture, it is important to consider other factors such as the smell, appearance, and storage conditions of the chicken. Checking the expiration or "best by" date is also crucial in determining whether the chicken is safe to consume. Remember, when in doubt, it is always better to discard the chicken than risk foodborne illness.
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Look for mould
It is important to be vigilant when it comes to checking if your chicken is out of date, as chicken provides a good environment for bacteria such as nontyphoidal salmonella. If you notice any visible signs of mould growth, the chicken is no longer safe to eat and should be thrown away.
Mould can be difficult to spot, especially if the chicken has been seasoned or dressed. If you suspect that your chicken may be out of date, it is better to be cautious and throw it away. It is not worth the risk of consuming spoiled chicken.
To prevent mould from growing on chicken, it is important to store it properly. Raw chicken should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible after purchasing. It should be kept on the bottom shelf or drawer in the fridge to prevent any potential leaks or dripping onto other foods.
If you are unsure whether your chicken is out of date, there are other signs of spoilage to look out for besides mould. These include changes in texture, such as increased softness, sliminess, or stickiness, as well as colour changes. Fresh raw chicken is usually light pink with white pieces of fat, while spoiled chicken may turn yellow, green, or grey.
In addition to visual cues, you can also rely on your sense of smell to detect spoilage. Fresh raw chicken may have a very mild or slightly funky smell, but spoiled chicken will have a strong, unpleasant odour. If you notice any of these signs, it is best to err on the side of caution and discard the chicken.
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Check the colour
Colour is an important indicator of whether chicken has gone bad. Fresh raw chicken is usually a light pink colour with white pieces of fat. If the colour fades, or the chicken is looking yellow, grey, or green, it has gone bad.
Mild colour changes can be normal, especially if the chicken has been stored in the refrigerator or freezer. However, if you notice any visible signs of spoilage, such as mould growth, the chicken should be discarded. Spoiled chicken may also be slimy or sticky to the touch.
Raw chicken can have a somewhat slimy feel to it, but if it still feels slimy after being rinsed off and patted dry, it’s no longer good. Another test is to press down on the meat. If the flesh is so soft it leaves an imprint, it’s likely bad.
Cooked chicken should be white, with no pink pieces of flesh. Pink flesh is a sign of undercooked chicken.
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Check the dates
Checking the dates on the packaging is a good way to determine whether your chicken is out of date. Fresh chicken should be stored in the refrigerator and used within one to two days of purchase, according to the FDA and USDA guidelines. If you're unable to use it within this timeframe, it's best to freeze the chicken.
When purchasing chicken, it's important to check the "use-by" date on the package. This date indicates when the chicken is at its peak quality, and you can still use the chicken for up to two days after this date. However, it's crucial to watch for other signs of spoilage during this time.
Chicken packaging may also have a “pack date” and a "best if used by" date. It's worth noting that there is no federal mandate for dating raw chicken, and the dates provided are more for inventory management than for food safety. Therefore, it's important to also consider other factors such as appearance, smell, and texture when determining if chicken is out of date.
If you're freezing chicken, it's important to label it with the date of freezing. Frozen chicken can be stored indefinitely if continuously kept frozen, according to the USDA. However, for the best quality, it's recommended to use frozen chicken within a certain timeframe. For example, frozen chicken parts should be used within nine months, while cooked chicken should be used within four months for the best flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Fresh, raw chicken has a shiny, smooth texture and a very mild smell or none at all. If it's slimy, sticky, tacky, or smells bad, it's likely gone off. Check the use-by date, and if it's been more than a couple of days, it's best to toss it.
Uncooked chicken lasts up to two days in the fridge. Once it's cooked, it's best to eat it within three to four days.
Cooked chicken should be firm and drier than raw chicken. If it's become softer, slimy, sticky, or has a residue, it's likely no longer safe to eat. If there's any visible mould growth, throw it away.
