Chicken is highly perishable and a common cause of food poisoning when stored or thawed incorrectly. A few simple rules keep it safe and fresh.
Fridge storage
Keep your fridge at or below 4 °C. Store raw chicken on the lowest shelf in a sealed container so juices cannot drip onto other foods.
- Raw chicken: use within 1–2 days of purchase
- Cooked chicken: refrigerate within 2 hours, use within 3 days
- Always store below ready-to-eat foods to prevent cross-contamination
Freezer storage
Freezing at −18 °C keeps chicken safe almost indefinitely, though quality declines over time. Wrap well to prevent freezer burn and label with the date.
- Raw chicken pieces: best within 9 months
- Whole raw chicken: best within 12 months
- Cooked chicken: best within 2–3 months
How to thaw chicken safely
Never thaw chicken on the counter — the surface warms into the danger zone (5–60 °C) where bacteria multiply rapidly while the centre is still frozen.
- Best: thaw in the fridge overnight (allow ~24 hours)
- Faster: seal and submerge in cold water, changing it every 30 minutes
- Quickest: use the microwave defrost, then cook immediately
- Never refreeze raw chicken that was thawed in water or the microwave without cooking it first
Shop the chicken
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does raw chicken last in the fridge?
Raw chicken keeps for 1–2 days in a fridge at or below 4 °C. For longer storage, freeze it.
Can you refreeze thawed chicken?
You can refreeze chicken that was thawed in the fridge and still cold. Chicken thawed in water or the microwave should be cooked before refreezing.