Friday, March 7, 2008

Ask Mary: Chicken Spoilage

Dear Mary,
How long can I keep uncooked chicken in the refrigerator after it has been defrosted?
Thanks, Barbara

Great question. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell how long you should keep raw chicken in the refrigerator after you take it out of the freezer. I usually keep it for about two days after it completely thaws, and at that point I either cook it or throw it out. If you want to go beyond two days, a smell test it is your best bet. If it’s bad it will smell really bad, and there will be no question that you shouldn’t eat it! But I still recommend cooking chicken as soon as possible after it has been defrosted for a fresher taste.

Happy Cooking,
Mary