How To Tell If Your Chicken Has Gone Bad
You need to make dinner, so you scan your fridge for ingredients. There's a package of chicken thighs, but you're not sure if it's still good. When did you buy it, again, last week? You'd rather avoid ordering takeout again, but you're not sure if the chicken is still safe to eat.
Before you toss the chicken (or eat it anyway and subject yourself to a health hazard), there are a few things you should know.
First, Check the Label
The date labels on packages of chicken don't guarantee freshness, according to the USDA. They provide a time chart for storing chicken in both the refrigerator and freezer. The date can be considered the day when the chicken will start to lose its peak quality. If it's two days after that date, watch for signs to see if the chicken has spoiled.
Is the Chicken Slimy, Smelly, or Discolored?
The USDA says that bacteria can cause meat or poultry to become slimy, develop an odor, and turn a dark color. Katie Heil, certified professional in food safety and content manager at Certus, gave us the following tips about color, texture, odor, and temperature.
When it comes to color, if the chicken is grey or another odd color, she said don't eat it.
Any strange odor is also a sign the chicken has gone bad. "By the time you can perceive a problem with your senses, the meat is almost certainly spoiled," she said.
Does Your Chicken Seem Too Soft?
Additionally, chicken that's too soft might be spoiled. To test it, Heil recommends pressing your fingertip into the chicken. If the imprint of your finger doesn't go away, you shouldn't eat it.
Was Your Chicken Left Out of The Fridge?
While your chicken should be stored in the refrigerator, Heil says that if it's been sitting for an unknown time at a temperature above 41 degrees, it's likely that bacteria have been multiplying.
If you're chicken is frozen, look for frozen puddles in the packaging or ice crystals on the meat. Both of these factors are signs that the chicken has thawed and refroze, which isn't safe.
According to the USDA, chicken can be stored in the freezer indefinitely, as long as it has been kept frozen continuously. But for the best quality, frozen chicken breast should be eaten within nine months (you can also check out the USDA's guide to chicken storage).
"If you're ever unsure if chicken meat is safe to eat, it's probably better to err on the side of caution and avoid it," said Heil. "When in doubt, throw it out."
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