Buying fresh chicken is the first step to a safe, delicious meal. Use these simple checks — colour, smell and texture — to judge freshness.
Check the colour
Fresh raw chicken is pinkish with white or pale-yellow fat. Avoid chicken that looks grey, greenish or has dull, dark patches — these are signs of spoilage.
Smell it
Fresh chicken has almost no smell. A sour, sulphurous or "off" ammonia-like odour means the chicken has spoiled and should not be eaten, even after cooking.
Feel the texture
Fresh chicken is moist but not slimy. A sticky or slimy film on the surface that remains after rinsing indicates bacterial growth and spoilage.
Buy from a trusted, cold-chain source
The surest way to get fresh chicken is to buy from a supplier that maintains an unbroken cold chain and clear processing dates. PrimeBird chicken is KEBS-certified and kept below 4 °C from slaughter to your door, so it arrives fresh every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you tell if raw chicken is bad?
Bad chicken often looks grey or greenish, smells sour or like ammonia, and feels slimy. If it shows any of these signs, throw it out — do not cook it.
Does fresh chicken smell?
Fresh chicken has little to no odour. Any strong, sour or sulphur-like smell is a sign of spoilage.