You don't want to use chicken when it's past its prime. Here's how to tell if chicken is bad.
How to Tell if Chicken Is Bad
Updated on Oct. 07, 2024
Ugh, is there anything worse than being greeted with strange smell after you open a package of chicken? Finding spoiled food is a surefire way to ruin any excitement you had about cooking dinner! But is smell enough to know that your chicken has gone from fresh to faulty? As a professional chef, I’ve found that it’s a good indicator, but there are plenty of other ways to tell if food is spoiled.
How to Tell if Chicken Is Bad
Expiration Date
It’s sometimes hard to know when food has expired. Counting the days is always a good way to start! Chicken’s expiration date varies depending on whether the chicken is cooked or uncooked.
Raw Chicken
Before you leave the grocery store, take a peek at the “use by” date on the package. The USDA says this date isn’t exactly an expiration date—it’s the date after which the chicken begins to lose its “peak quality.” So you’ll have up to two days after that date to use the chicken. Beyond two days, pay attention to other sensory signs to know if the chicken has gone bad.
Cooked Chicken
After cooking chicken, pop it into the refrigerator to cool down as quickly as possible. Don’t forget to label and date your storage container so you’ll know when the chicken expires. Eat it between three and four days after cooking; otherwise, it needs to be tossed.
Smell
Whether you’re dealing with raw or cooked chicken, a quick smell test will clue you in if something is amiss. Fresh chicken has very little aroma, although it may have a slight “funky” odor if it’s been sealed with its juices for a while. Chicken that smells strongly should be a warning sign. If the odor is fishy, sour or sulfur-like—reminiscent of rotten eggs—it’s no longer safe to eat.
Texture
Touching raw chicken is no one’s favorite task, but it’s an important way to know whether the chicken is still fresh. Raw chicken should feel glossy, moist and slightly slippery. If it’s tacky, slimy or sticky, toss it in the trash. The same goes for cooked chicken, which should be firm and dry to the touch.
Appearance
If the chicken has gone bad, you’ll notice visual signs of spoilage. Pay attention to these signs in raw and cooked chicken. (The same rules apply for salmon—learn to tell when it has gone bad.)
Raw Chicken
Raw chicken meat should be pink and glossy, and the fat should be bright white. Skin-on chicken will have creamy-colored or yellow skin, depending on the chicken’s feed. If any of those colors fade to gray, or if the skin looks dried and doesn’t move easily, the chicken is not fresh. If the gray darkens or turns green or yellow, it’s well past its prime.
Wondering, can you freeze chicken? It all depends on how it’s prepared.
Cooked Chicken
When chicken is cooked to proper temperatures (165°F), it turns from pink to opaque white. Cooked chicken is safe to eat as long as it maintains that white color and it passes all the other spoilage tests. If you notice any other colors, like yellow or green, throw away those leftovers.
How Long Does Chicken Last?
In the fridge, uncooked chicken lasts up to two days. Once it’s cooked, enjoy it within three to four days. If you can’t meet those dates, pop the chicken in the freezer. For best flavor, use cooked, frozen chicken within four months. When properly packaged, frozen raw chicken maintains its quality for up to a year. (Learn if freezer-burned food is safe to eat.)
It’s hard to know when it’s time to toss leftovers. Learn how to tell if ground beef has gone bad.
Need to use your chicken ASAP? It’s time to whip up one of our easy chicken dinner recipes.
Easy Chicken Dinner Ideas
Easy Chicken PiccataIf you’re stuck for ideas on what to do with chicken breasts, get inspired with this chicken piccata recipe that brings the cutlets to life with citrusy lemon flavors and a creamy butter sauce.
Chicken CreoleChicken Creole is deeply flavorful and comforting, showcasing tomatoes, onion, celery, green bell pepper and warm spices.
Chicken Caesar SaladReady in just 10 minutes, this classic chicken caesar salad features tender chicken breast, crisp romaine and a zesty homemade dressing. It’s a flavorful favorite you’ll want to make again and again.
Chicken Garden MedleyAfter my family sampled this dish at a friend's house, it quickly became a favorite—especially with our teenage daughters, who request it at least once a week! —Dohreen Winkler, Howell, Michigan
A celebration of summer vegetables, this pasta recipe is extremely flexible. Use whichever veggies are in the garden (or in the crisper drawer), from squash to potatoes, peppers to carrots, broccoli to beans. The lightly creamy sauce goes with everything.
Grilled Teriyaki ChickenOur grilled teriyaki chicken recipe features a simple homemade marinade that infuses the chicken with aromatic flavor. It's the perfect weeknight meal when served with rice or noodles.
Buffalo Chicken ChiliThis Buffalo chicken chili is rich in the best way. The cream cheese, blue cheese and tangy hot sauce join forces for a dinner recipe everyone will love. —Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin
A twist on traditional chili, this spicy chili delivers the flavors of your favorite buffalo chicken (and dipping sauce). Both cream cheese and bleu cheese thicken the soup and add a welcome savory tartness that balances the heat. This is an ideal game day recipe.
Comforting Chicken A La KingEasy to make, always a comfort and filling and nourishing too, this chicken a la king recipe is one you'll keep coming back to when planning dinner.
Chicken a la king is a vintage recipe that deserves a comeback! A tasty, creamy sauce cooks right in the pan with minced celery and mushrooms. This meal is a treat for lunch or dinner. Looking for more? Try this delicious marry me chicken recipe.
Chicken Biscuit PotpieYou just can't beat the comfort meal of biscuit-topped chicken pot pie, especially when assembling it only takes ten minutes.
Tired of chicken and vegetables for dinner? Tuck them into a rich, creamy potpie! Using biscuits for the crust instead of puff pastry makes this the ultimate comfort food.
Chicken with Florentine SauceHere is my very favorite chicken Florentine recipe. A creamy topping and pretty presentation make it elegant enough for company, but it’s also fast to fix on busy weeknights! —Julie Fitzgerald, St Louis, Missouri
Florentine sauce is so simple and delicious, it should be in every cook's repertoire! Made with wine, cream and butter, it tastes great with just about anything. This recipe jazzes up the classic with spices, pimientos and green onions—feel free to play with your favorite flavors!
Sunday Roast ChickenThis recipe proves that comfort food doesn't have to be full of unwanted calories. Mixed with orange and lemon juice, my roast chicken is both flavorful and healthy. —Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island.
No chicken dinner collection is complete without a Sunday supper-worthy roast chicken! This version puts a citrus-y twist on the classic, adding a lively brightness that's especially tasty on cool summer evenings.
Deviled ChickenMy family has always loved this flavorful golden brown chicken. I watch for frequent sales on leg quarters to keep the cost per serving low. —Linda Trammell, Kingston, Missouri
Inspired by the flavors of deviled eggs, this chicken dinner has such a delicious sauce you may want to double the recipe. The sauce tastes great with roasted vegetables too.
Chicken ProvoloneChicken Provolone, though one of my simplest dishes, is one of my husband’s favorites. It is easy to prepare and looks fancy served on a dark plate with a garnish of fresh parsley or basil. Add some buttered noodles for an easy side dish. —Dawn Bryant, Thedford, Nebraska
If you have an oven-proof skillet, this delicious, Italian-inspired chicken dish is a one-skillet meal. After cooking on the stovetop, you'll top the chicken with prosciutto and cheese and slip under a broiler so the ham crisps and the cheese melts. Delicious.
Sausage & Vegetable Skillet DinnerThis sausage veggie skillet recipe is a no-fuss, filling meal. Made with potatoes, onions, spinach and corn, this hearty dish is surprisingly quick to prepare and can be on the table in about 30 minutes.
Simple flavors pack a punch in this impossibly speedy skillet supper. Use your favorite chicken sausage, whether it's sweet or hot. Since potatoes and corn both cook in the skillet, there's no real need for a side, but serve a green salad if you like.
Barbecue ChickenJuicy, saucy barbecue chicken is a highlight of any grilling season. Cut up whole chickens for the best quality pieces, and add a homemade tangy barbecue sauce that's impossible to resist.
Pizza Chicken Roll-UpsI love the chicken roll-ups my mom made for special occasions, filled with spinach and cream cheese. My own kids wouldn't eat those, so I came up with a pizza-flavored variety the whole family enjoys. —Tanja Penquite, Oregon, Ohio
Here's a clever way to get kids to enjoy dinner: Give chicken a pizzeria-inspired twist. These chicken rolls are slathered with mozzarella, pepperoni and tomato sauce. Make sure to get pizza sauce, not pasta sauce (which is too wet for this recipe).
Honey Chicken Stir-FryWho needs takeout when you've got this quick and delicious honey chicken stir-fry! Simple ingredients and a full-proof method mean dinner will be ready in a flash.
Not many dinners come together quicker than stir-fry! Because all of the ingredients are cut up bite-sized, they cook quickly. While broccoli is a classic stir-fry pairing, you can use just about any veggie you have on hand: simply chop it up to the same size as the chicken.
Salsa Verde Chicken CasseroleThis is a rich and surprisingly tasty rendition of a number of Tex-Mex dishes molded into one packed, beautiful casserole. Best of all, it’s ready in hardly any time! —Janet McCormick, Proctorville, Ohio
You can use up leftover chicken in this zingy casserole, but it's so good, you might buy a rotisserie chicken just to make it. Go ahead and tweak the seasonings to appeal to your crew's spice preference. Leftovers are great for breakfast tacos.
Soupy Chicken Noodle SupperAt least once a week my six-year-old son, also known as Doctor John, hands me a “prescription” for chicken noodle soup. Needless to say, I'm always happy to fill it. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota
Craving chicken noodle soup tonight? Try this speedy recipe, which relies on leftover cooked chicken and bouillon to make a quick, flavorful dinner. It's the best thing to eat when you have a cold (or just need something comforting).
Mediterranean ChickenThis quick and easy skillet Mediterranean chicken recipe is a one-pan dinner that will make you feel as if you are vacationing seaside in Greece.
Baked Chicken FajitasThese baked chicken fajitas are one of our top-rated chicken dinners for a reason. Cooks rave about the easy prep, robust flavor and effortless cleanup—everything we want in a weeknight dinner!
One of our best quick dinner recipes, these chicken fajitas can be on your table even on the busiest weeknight. The trick? Prep the marinade in the morning so the chicken has plenty of time to absorb the flavor. You can also slice all the veggies and keep them in the fridge until ready to cook.
Sweet ‘n’ Spicy ChickenMy husband and children love this tender chicken with its spicy sauce. Peach preserves add just a touch of sweetness, while taco seasoning and salsa give the dish some kick. —Sheri White, Higley, Arizona
This ingredients list might make you do a double take: salsa and peach preserves? But the rave reviews prove the brilliance of the sweet-and-spicy combination. Plus, using pantry ingredients makes this chicken dinner a snap to make at the last minute, even when there's nothing fresh in the house.
Chicken Enchilada BakeChicken enchilada casserole is melty, cheesy comfort in a pan. Made with rotisserie chicken and store-bought sauce, it's a weeknight dinner that you can pull together quickly without a lot of heavy lifting.
Just five ingredients make up this cheesy, smoky, creamy enchilada bake—and you might have all of them in your pantry and fridge already. Cutting tortillas into small, layerable squares makes this dish a lot easier than the traditional way of assembling enchiladas.
Red Pepper ChickenChicken breasts are treated to black beans, red peppers and juicy tomatoes in this Southwestern supper. We love it served with rice plumped up in chicken broth. —Piper Spiwak, Vienna, Virginia
The first night you make it, serve this Southwestern-flavored chicken with rice and a fresh salad. If you have enough for leftovers, they'll be delicious the next day too. Shred or slice the leftovers and serve in tacos with beans, tortillas, sour cream and your favorite taco fillings.
Chicken Broccoli ShellsThis cheesy entree is a make-ahead dream. Just assemble it ahead of time and put it in the oven when company arrives. I round out the meal with a tossed salad and warm bread. —Karen Jagger, Columbia City, Indiana
This comforting casserole is the perfect food to make ahead and keep in the freezer. It'll be ready to cook on a busy weeknight or to share with a friend in need on a meal train.
Creamy Chicken Thighs & NoodlesI love recipes that you can just throw into the slow cooker and let it do all the work. This easy chicken dinner is one of my favorites. —Christina Petri, Alexandria, Minnesota
This dump dinner makes the slow cooker do all the work! Pour the ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning, and dinner will be ready at the end of the work day.
Curry Chicken and RiceFlavorful, light and nutritious, and happily simple to prepare, this Indian curry chicken and rice recipe is one to bookmark for weeknight meals.
Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken with PotatoesLearn how to make lemon roasted chicken, a foolproof and super tasty dish.
This one-skillet roast chicken recipe is one to bookmark. Slices of lemon, potatoes and tomatoes cook alongside the chicken, imbuing the entire dish with bright, savory flavor.
Cashew Chicken with NoodlesI tried this recipe for chicken with cashew nuts when making freezer meals with some friends. I was smitten! It's quick, easy and so delicious! —Anita Beachy, Bealeton, Virginia
Salty-sweet cashew chicken is a takeout copycat dish the whole family can enjoy. As a bonus, you can make it from scratch in the same time it would take to drive to the restaurant. Serve with noodles or hot rice.
Smothered Chicken BreastsAfter trying a similar chicken dish in a restaurant, I decided to re-create it at home. Topped with bacon, caramelized onions and shredded cheese, this savory dish comes together in no time, and uses ingredients that I usually have on hand. And since it cooks in one skillet, it’s a cinch to clean up! —Brenda Carpenter, Warrensburg, Missouri
There's nothing wrong with a quick, sauteed chicken breast for dinner, but this recipe is just about as easy—and it's much more interesting. After cooking the chicken, fry bacon in the same pan, then finish by cooking onions with the bacon drippings and a bit of brown sugar. Layered on the plate, the entree is restaurant-worthy.
Chicken Penne CasseroleThis is my family’s favorite every week or two and we never tire of it. I like that I can put it together and relax while it bakes. —Carmen Vanosch, Vernon, British Columbia
The homemade pasta sauce in this recipe wins rave reviews, with cooks swearing off store-bought pasta sauce. Serve the sauce on any noodle you like, or prep this tasty, cozy casserole. It will take a bit of time to assemble, but once it's in the oven, you can kick up your feet and enjoy the savory aroma filling the house.
Creamy Chicken EnchiladasMy daughter has the best sour cream and cream cheese chicken enchiladas recipe I've ever tried. She brought 10 pans of it to my wedding reception and they were the biggest hit of all the food. So many guests wanted the recipe, we sent it out with our Christmas cards. —Pat Coffee, Kingston, Washington
These yummy enchiladas are baked uncovered so the edges crisp in the oven while the cheese gets gooey. The recipe calls for a simple homemade green chile enchilada sauce, but you can substitute your favorite store-bought sauce.
Slow-Cooker Chicken TacosThis slow-cooker chicken tacos recipe is anything but boring or bland. Fresh lime juice, chili powder, salsa and corn give the tender chicken a burst of fresh flavor.
A few simple seasonings spice up slow-cooker chicken tacos, but the recipe is endlessly customizable. Add jalapenos, chiles, salsa or hot sauce to the pot. Serve with tortillas and your favorite Mexican-inspired sides.
Hearty Chicken Spaghetti CasseroleChicken spaghetti casserole is such a fun way to serve spaghetti noodles. Baked until bubbly from the cheddar and Swiss cheeses, you'll love serving this when you want a change from typical saucy pastas.
Haven't tried spaghetti casserole? You're in for a treat! Creamy, cheesy and freckled with peppers and mushrooms, this pasta casserole is a standout. Feeding fussy eaters? Swap in whatever veggies they'll eat.
Slow-Cooked Southwest ChickenThis dish needs just 15 minutes of prep, so you'll be out of the kitchen in no time. The delicious low-fat chicken gets even better with a garnish of reduced-fat sour cream and fresh cilantro. —Brandi Castillo, Santa Maria, California
This easy slow-cooker dinner is super versatile. Serve the chicken (plus its rich, bean-based sauce) over rice or with tortillas and sliced avocados.
Chicken Tater BakeThis yummy chicken Tater Tot casserole makes a filling dinner everyone in the family will enjoy.
It's hard to resist this tater-tot-studded chicken casserole. The recipe makes two 8-in. casseroles, one of which you can freeze for later. If you're headed to a potluck, you'll want to bring both!
Shredded Barbecue Chicken over GritsThere’s nothing like juicy meat served over creamy grits. And the pumpkin in these grits makes them taste like a spicy, comforting bowl of fall flavors. Your family will come running to the table for this one. —Erin Renouf Mylroie, Santa Clara, Utah
This is a dream dinner for when the calendar says it's fall, but the weather isn't cooperating. Fall flavors like molasses and cinnamon jazz up jarred barbecue sauce, while canned pumpkin adds creamy texture and plenty of flavor to grits.
Chicken & Mushroom AlfredoEveryone in my family loves when I make this dinner...even my kids! What's great about this recipe is that you can add vegetables you have on hand to make it heartier, such as corn, peas, or diced red bell pepper. —Monica Werner, Temecula, California
Want to make this creamy pasta dish even easier? Substitute the simple homemade sauce for a jar of store-bought sauce. Alfredo sauce makes any vegetable taste superb, so get creative and add any side veggies you like.
Chicken Parmesan Stuffed ShellsWhen chicken Parmesan meets stuffed shells, it's love at first bite. The texture of the chicken holds up in the deliciously creamy and cheesy mixture. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Chicken Parmesan meets lasagna in this cheesy, tomato-y pasta bake. Unlike lasagna, there's no laborious layering of noodles and sauce. You'll make a quick seasoned chicken and cheese filling, fill al dente noodles and slather with sauce. Bake until bubbly and irresistible. Serve with a side salad.
Slow-Cooker Chicken Tortilla SoupSlow-cooker chicken tortilla soup is easy and delicious. Simply brown the chicken, then toss everything in the slow cooker, and walk away!
This comforting, spicy soup is just the trick for cool nights. Make in the slow cooker or on the stovetop, whichever you prefer. Leftovers freeze well; portion out single servings for quick lunches.
Air-Fryer Southern-Style ChickenAir-fryer fried chicken is one of the best things about owning an air fryer. This cracker crumb-coated chicken comes out crispy, tender and juicy, just the way you like it.
Seasoned, crushed Ritz crackers make a robust savory breading for this simple fried chicken recipe. Unlike deep-frying, air-frying is mess-free, thermometer-free and slightly healthier.
Originally Published in Taste Recipes
