How long does raw chicken last in the fridge?
Short answer: Raw chicken keeps 1–2 days in the fridge, whole or in pieces. Frozen, it keeps its best quality for about 9 months as pieces and a year as a whole bird.
Raw chicken: fridge and freezer times
| Food | Fridge (40°F / 4°C) | Freezer (0°F / −18°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken or turkey, whole, raw | 1–2 days | 1 year |
| Chicken or turkey pieces, raw | 1–2 days | 9 months |
The fridge times are for safety: once they pass, throw it out. The freezer times are for best quality. Food kept frozen at 0°F stays safe indefinitely but slowly loses flavor and texture.
How to use it before it goes bad
- Keep the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or colder. The times above assume it. A cheap fridge thermometer tells you for sure.
- Freeze on day one, not on the last day. If you won't eat it within the fridge time, freeze it as soon as you get home.
- Write the date on it. It's easy to lose count of how long something has been open.
- Put it where you'll see it. Food at the back of the fridge is the food that gets forgotten.
How to thaw it safely
Thaw it in the fridge (allow about a day for every 5 pounds), in cold water changed every 30 minutes, or in the microwave if you'll cook it straight away. Never thaw meat on the counter.
Common questions
How long does raw chicken last in the fridge?
Raw chicken keeps 1–2 days in the fridge, whole or in pieces. Frozen, it keeps its best quality for about 9 months as pieces and a year as a whole bird.
How long does raw chicken last in the freezer?
Frozen at 0°F (−18°C), raw chicken stays safe indefinitely. For best quality, use it within: chicken or turkey, whole, raw: 1 year; chicken or turkey pieces, raw: 9 months.
Can raw chicken sit out at room temperature?
Perishable food shouldn't sit out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if it's above 90°F (32°C). After that, throw it out.
How do I thaw frozen raw chicken safely?
Thaw it in the fridge (allow about a day for every 5 pounds), in cold water changed every 30 minutes, or in the microwave if you'll cook it straight away. Never thaw meat on the counter.
How long other foods last
Source: FoodSafety.gov, Cold Food Storage Chart. This page is general information, not medical advice. When in doubt, throw it out.