Not only is cooked chicken a tasty and nutritious meal option but it can be prepared in countless ways. While it’s always delightful to indulge in this dish, it is critical that you are aware of how to detect if the poultry has gone bad as consumption of spoiled meat can cause severe food-borne illnesses.
In this piece, we will uncover the essential indicators that you should be aware of to figure out if your cooked chicken has gone bad. Additionally, we will examine secure storage methods to ensure that your poultry is not contaminated and is safe for consumption.
Table of Contents
What is Bad Chicken?
Bad chicken is chicken that has gone sour due to improper storage, mishandling or an excessive amount of time spent in the refrigerator. When poultry has gone bad, it will have an off-putting smell and texture that you should be able to detect upon close inspection. The bacteria responsible for spoilage in chicken is called salmonella, which is a group of bacteria that exists on raw meats including beef, pork, and poultry.
If the chicken is not properly stored or handled correctly, salmonella can multiply rapidly and contaminate the entire piece of poultry. Therefore, it’s extremely important that safety measures are taken when handling and storing chicken to prevent contamination.
Smell: Unpleasant Aromas
If you want to know whether the cooked chicken has gone bad, then the smell is your biggest indicator. If the aroma that reaches your nose is putrid and foul-smelling, be sure to discard it immediately for safety reasons. Consuming inedible meat can have very serious consequences – think food poisoning or worse – so always play it safe when making decisions about edible items by erring on the side of caution.
Color & Texture: Discoloration & Dullness
The color and texture of cooked chicken are also essential visual cues that can help you determine if it is safe to eat. A fresh piece of cooked chicken will be pinkish-white in color with a moist, springy feel. If the poultry appears dry or has begun to develop a greyish-green color, then this is an indication that it has gone bad and should not be consumed.
When inspecting a cooked chicken for spoilage, feel how rough the surface of the meat is. If it happens to be excessively slimy or sticky when touched or discolored in spots, then it’s best to discard of it rather than risk consuming unsafe food. Additionally, an excessive amount of liquid pooling around the chicken indicates that there is bacterial growth present and the poultry should be thrown out.
Taste: Take a Bite
Taste testing cooked chicken is not the most desirable way to detect spoilage, but it can still be useful in certain situations. If you sense a sour or off-putting taste upon tasting your poultry, then there are likely bacteria present and it should be thrown away immediately. After all, consuming spoiled chicken doesn’t just make for an unpleasant culinary experience – it could also have some serious health risks too!
Temperature: Check the Heat
Temperature is an important factor when determining how long cooked chicken can stay safe to eat. If the poultry has been kept in the refrigerator for more than two days, it should be discarded as bacteria can quickly multiply at low temperatures. Therefore, it is essential that you check that the chicken has been stored at the right temperature – between 4 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit) and below.
This will keep your cooked chicken safe from spoilage and contamination while also preserving its flavor and texture. Additionally, frozen chicken should not stay in the freezer for longer than six months as this can result in spoilage.
Storing Chicken: Prolong Freshness
To ensure that your cooked chicken stays fresh and safe to consume, there are a few simple steps you can take. Firstly, make sure that the poultry is stored in an airtight container and kept refrigerated below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). Additionally, it’s best to avoid overcrowding the container as this will prevent proper circulation of cold air. Finally, be sure to use the cooked chicken within two days of cooking for maximum freshness and safety.
Check Freshness Date
If you’re uncertain how long the cooked chicken has been in the refrigerator, be sure to check the freshness date. This is usually found either on the side of the packaging or on a label, and it will tell you how much time has passed since the poultry was cooked. If this date has already passed, then it’s safest to discard of your chicken as bacteria may have already begun multiplying on its surface.
Listening for Odd Noises
In some cases, you may be able to tell if the cooked chicken is bad simply by listening for strange noises coming from the container it’s stored in. Be sure to give the cooked chicken a good shake before consuming it.
If there are any popping or crackling sounds coming from the poultry, then this could indicate that there is an excessive amount of gas present – a sure sign that spoilage has already begun. Not only does this signify bacteria present on the surface of the poultry, but it could also be an indicator of gas buildup inside the chicken, which could make it unsafe to consume.
Watch for Signs of Spoilage
Always remember to keep an eye out for any signs of spoilage on the cooked chicken. If you detect a peculiar odor emanating from the poultry, or it has taken on an unappetizing greyish-green color, this is a sign that your poultry has perished and should not be eaten. When feeling the texture of your meat, make sure it’s not too slimy or sticky to the touch and that there are no discolored spots.
To ensure safe consumption, it would be prudent to discard any questionable pieces rather than take a risk. An excessive amount of liquid pooling around the chicken also indicates bacteria growth present and should signal that the poultry should be thrown away. By following these tips, you can rest assured knowing that your cooked chicken is safe to eat and will remain fresh for up to two days.
Be sure to use your senses – sight, touch, smell, and even sound – if you’re ever uncertain how long cooked chicken can be safely stored. If any of the signs above appear, then it’s best to just toss the poultry and prevent any potential health risks that could come from consuming spoiled food.
Stay Away from Uncooked Chicken
Finally, it’s important to remember that raw chicken will spoil far more quicker than cooked poultry. Uncooked chicken needs to be handled with extra care, as it can easily become contaminated and lead to foodborne illnesses if not stored properly. If left at room temperature for more than two hours, bacteria can quickly multiply on the surface of the meat and increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Therefore, if you’re ever in doubt how long your cooked chicken has been lying around, it’s safest to just discard it. Make sure you keep raw poultry refrigerated at all times, cook it thoroughly before consumption, and use within one or two days of purchase. This will help prevent any potential health risks associated with eating chicken that has gone bad.
Cooking Methods
It’s important to note that how the chicken is cooked can also be a factor in how quickly it goes bad. For instance, while grilled poultry can keep in the refrigerator for up to four days, fried or roasted chicken should only remain stored for one day before being discarded.
And if you’re ever uncertain how long your cooked chicken has been sitting out on the countertop, then it’s always best to err on the side of caution and discard it right away.
Moreover, make sure to cook chicken thoroughly and avoid undercooked or raw pieces. This will help reduce your risk of food-borne illnesses associated with eating poultry that has gone bad.
Related: How Long Can Cooked Chicken Sit Out
Health Risks of Eating Bad Chicken
Consuming cooked chicken that has gone bad can have a variety of adverse effects on your health. Not only can it lead to food poisoning and cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but in extreme cases, it could also result in more serious medical conditions. Symptoms of an infection such as salmonella or E.coli include fever, abdominal cramping, dehydration, and even septicemia (blood poisoning). If you ever suspect that the cooked chicken you ate was bad, be sure to see a doctor immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Related:
How Long Can Frozen Chicken Sit Out
How Long To Cook Chicken Thighs In Oven
FAQ:
Q: How should I store cooked chicken?
A: You must always refrigerate cooked chicken and consume it within one or two days of purchasing if you want to remain safe from food-borne illness. The bacteria can multiply quickly on the surface of the meat once left unrefrigerated for more than two hours, so it’s important that you stay aware! It is also worth noting that how your cook the chicken (grilled, fried, roasted) should be taken into account when considering just how long it will keep in a refrigerator.
Q: What are some signs that cooked chicken has gone bad?
A: In order to ensure the safety of your food, always be vigilant when it comes to checking for signs of spoilage on cooked chicken. If its scent or color has changed significantly, particularly if you detect an unpleasant smell coming from it or a greyish-green hue is present, these are telltale signs that the poultry has gone bad and should not be consumed. Additionally, any mold growth visible on the surface indicates that this meal needs to go straight into the bin!
Q: What health risks come with eating bad chicken?
A: Consuming cooked chicken that has gone bad can have a variety of adverse effects on your health. Not only can it lead to food poisoning and cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but in extreme cases, it could also result in more serious medical conditions such as salmonella or E.coli infection. If you ever suspect that the cooked chicken you ate was bad, be sure to see a doctor immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Q: Which one can be stored longer? Cooked chicken or grilled chicken?
A: Grilled chicken can generally keep in the refrigerator for up to four days, while cooked or fried chicken should only remain stored for one day before being discarded. Therefore, grilled chicken can be stored longer than cooked and fried chicken.
Conclusion: When in Doubt, Toss it Out
Whether you’re cooking up a delicious batch of chicken noodle soup or using cooked poultry to add protein to your salad, it’s important to know how to tell if cooked chicken is bad. With the tips above in mind, always be sure to inspect the poultry before consumption – look for any signs of spoilage such as sliminess, discoloration, or any strange odors.
Additionally, give the chicken a good shake and listen for any odd popping or crackling noises which could indicate gas buildup inside the meat. To guarantee optimal safety, remember to store raw poultry in the refrigerator at all times and discard any cooked poultry left out for more than two hours.
If unsure of how long chicken can remain safe after cooking, it’s always wiser to dispose of potential risks rather than take chances. In doing so, you’ll ensure that your cooked poultry is safe to eat and prevent any potential health risks associated with eating spoiled food. By following these simple steps, you can rest assured knowing that your meal will be both delicious and nutritious. Bon appetit!
