How long does cooked chicken last?
Rotisserie chicken is a weeknight hero, right up until the leftovers get pushed behind the yogurt. Here's how long cooked chicken lasts and the easy ways to use up the rest.
By Justin and Mary KatzmanThree to four days in the fridge and two to three months in the freezer. Keep it in the fridge, not the pantry.
The freezer turns four days into three months.
Cooked chicken, case by case
Left out at room temperature
No more than two hours, or one hour if it's above 90°F (32°C). After that, throw it away, even if it smells fine. Chill leftovers soon after the meal.
After thawing
Three to four days in the fridge if you thawed it there, then eat it or reheat it to 165°F (74°C). If you thawed it in the microwave or cold water, eat it right away.
Past the date on the package
For store-bought cooked chicken, use it by the date on the package if it's unopened. Once you open it, eat it within three to four days and keep it cold.
Signs cooked chicken has gone bad
- It smells sour or off.
- The surface is slimy or has a film.
- You see grey or green patches, or mold.
Before you toss it
Past its best but still safe? Try one of these.
- Day three and still have chicken left? Cook it into soup, fried rice or a quesadilla today and eat it hot. Reheat to 165°F (74°C).
- Dry, rubbery leftovers? Shred them and stir into broth, enchilada sauce or a creamy pasta, where the liquid brings the moisture back.
How to store cooked chicken
- Get it into the fridge within two hours of cooking.
- Pull rotisserie chicken off the bone and store it in shallow containers so it cools fast.
- Freeze what you won't eat in three–four days.
Cooked chicken by the numbers
The average American goes through about 1.2 lb a week. If your household eats less than that, buy smaller and less ends up in the trash.
A pound at $4.20 keeps about two days in the fridge. Frozen, it keeps nine months. Buy the bigger pack only if you'll use it in time.
What cooked chicken costs now
$4.20 a pound (boneless breast), up 37% since January 2020. Its price barely moves with the seasons.
National average price per pound (boneless breast), monthly. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Cook it before it turns
32 Haivenly starter recipes use cooked chicken. Here are a few to start with.
Questions about cooked chicken
How long does cooked chicken last in the fridge?
Three to four days after cooking, going by USDA FoodKeeper guidance. Your fridge temperature and how fresh it was when you bought it can change that, so check it before you use it.
Can you freeze cooked chicken?
Yes, for about two to three months for best quality, and it stays safe longer at 0°F (-18°C). Cool it first, pack it airtight, and press out the air to limit freezer burn.
Can you leave cooked chicken out overnight?
No. USDA's rule is no more than two hours at room temperature, or one hour if it's above 90°F (32°C). Chicken left out longer should be thrown away, even if it looks and smells fine, because reheating doesn't destroy every toxin bacteria can leave behind.
How do you reheat cooked chicken safely?
Heat it until it reaches 165°F (74°C) all the way through. Cover it and add a splash of broth or water so it doesn't dry out. A microwave works best if you stir or turn the pieces partway.
Is it safe to eat cold chicken straight from the fridge?
Yes, if it was cooked fully, cooled promptly and has been in the fridge for three to four days or less. Cold chicken in a sandwich or salad is fine. Just keep it chilled until you eat it.
Can you reheat cooked chicken more than once?
It's safe if you reheat to 165°F (74°C) each time and it stays within the three to four day window, but quality drops with every round. Reheat only what you'll eat and keep the rest cold.
Use every last bit of your cooked chicken.
The average American tosses about $40 of chicken a year. Haivenly learns how fast your household goes through it, so you hear about it while there's still time to cook it.
More foods to check
Cooked rice
Leftovers- Fridge
- 4–6 days
- Freezer
- 6 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Raw chicken breast
Meat & poultry- Fridge
- 1–2 days
- Freezer
- 9 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Eggs
Dairy & eggs- Fridge
- 3–5 weeks
- Freezer
- Not advised
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Milk
Dairy & eggs- Fridge
- Use-by date
- Freezer
- 3 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Strawberries
Produce- Fridge
- 2–3 days
- Freezer
- 8–12 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold