How Long Does Cooked Chicken Last in the Fridge?
Updated: May 02, 2024
You roasted a whole chicken and have leftovers—but how long does cooked chicken last in the fridge? Most cuts won't last as long as you'd think.
I like to keep cooked chicken on hand for weeknight meals. I’ll often roast a whole chicken—or pick up a rotisserie chicken if I don’t feel like cooking—then carve the meat and toss it in the refrigerator. How long does cooked chicken last in the fridge? Unfortunately, not as long as you might think.
How long does cooked chicken last in the fridge?
Even though most people keep leftovers for a week, the USDA recommends using cooked chicken within three to four days. Here’s how to store different types of cooked chicken:
- Whole chicken (including cuts like breasts, thighs and wings): Refrigerate within two hours after cooking.
- Ground chicken: Refrigerate within two hours after cooking.
- Rotisserie chicken: Refrigerate any leftovers.
Your deli meat may stay fresh for a day or two longer than cooked chicken. Use fresh chicken deli meat within three to five days. For chicken lunch meat sealed in a package, use within two weeks of purchase or within one week of the best-by date. Once opened, use within three to five days. If you want it longer than that, know that you can freeze deli meat before it goes bad.
How to Store Cooked Chicken
Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. We use glass storage containers since they don’t absorb odors like plastic containers. It’s OK to leave the chicken uncovered as it cools down, but covering it after will ensure the leftover meat stays juicy.
Keep in mind that many chicken recipes freeze well, too. The Taste of Home Test Kitchen recommends freezing chicken in its original package and wrapping it with heavy-duty foil, plastic wrap or freezer paper, or placing the package inside a freezer bag. You can also open chicken and repackage it in smaller amounts in freezer-safe bags.
To defrost frozen chicken, remove it from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator. Smaller cuts of chicken will thaw overnight, whereas larger cuts (or whole chickens) may take one to two days to thaw. Chicken thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen if you don’t use it. (Phew!)
In a time crunch, thaw chicken in cold water or in the microwave—but know that you can’t refreeze the meat if you use either of these methods. Place the frozen chicken in a leak-proof bag and submerge it in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes. A whole chicken should thaw in about three hours.
How to Tell If Chicken Is Bad
Our recommendation is always “when in doubt, throw it out,” but there are some common signs that chicken has spoiled. Start by giving it the sniff test. The spices used in cooking the chicken can often mask subtle smells, but if it smells sour or sulfury (like rotten eggs), the chicken is definitely past its prime.
Bad chicken also has a grayish appearance and you definitely don’t want to eat it if it’s greenish or bluish in color. Any visible signs of mold or a slimy texture also indicate that chicken has spoiled.
How to Use Cooked Chicken
If you need to use cooked chicken in the next day or two, you have plenty of options. Chicken salad recipes are a classic way to put leftover chicken to use. Plenty of shredded chicken recipes and rotisserie chicken recipes will give your cooked chicken a new life. Here are even more ideas:
- Add shredded chicken to soup recipes to turn them into chicken soup recipes.
- Sprinkle chicken over a green salad to turn a side salad into a meal.
- Mix cooked chicken into a pasta dish. This works especially well with a pesto or vodka sauce.
- Make Buffalo chicken tacos by tossing shredded chicken with Buffalo sauce. Top each taco with blue cheese and shredded lettuce.
- Dress the meat with barbecue sauce to make barbecue chicken sandwiches.
- Layer a tortilla with chicken and cheese and heat it up for chicken quesadillas.
Our Best Leftover Chicken Recipes
Creamy Chicken EnchiladasOne of our most popular chicken dinners ever, these creamy enchiladas are easy to make at home. Layer a 13x9-inch pan with tortillas stuffed with leftover chicken, cream cheese and spices, then pour over a quick enchilada sauce. Feel free to add or subtract chiles, or vegetables like chopped peppers or corn.
BBQ Chicken SandwichesLeftover chicken is a natural fit for sandwiches. These saucy sammies are so easy to toss together, even though they use a homemade sauce (though you can swap in one of our favorite store-bought BBQ sauces). Serve with a quick side of canned or frozen corn.
Quick Chicken and DumplingsRather than making dumplings from scratch, this recipe calls for a quick substitute: frozen biscuits. The buttery, savory biscuits soften as they soak up the sauce, giving them a squishy, dumpling-like texture (and plenty of flavors).
Spicy Chicken and Bacon MacThis hearty mac and cheese recipe is a cozy dinner on a cool night. Adding cubed chicken and bacon to the creamy noodles transforms the bowl from a kid's menu go-to to a grown-up treat. If you like to have green on the table, serve with a side salad or steamed broccoli.
Chicken Cordon Bleu BakeThis French-inspired recipe captures all of the flavor of a delicious Cordon Bleu, but transforms it into a big, family-style casserole. A homey, delightful mix of cooked chicken, deli ham, stuffing and cheesy sauce is both delicious and quick to assemble. You can prep the casserole ahead of time and bake at dinner time.
Comforting Chicken Noodle SoupA great recipe to make for new parents (or anyone who needs a meal train), this chicken noodle soup is a classic. Though it's flavorful and creamy, it only calls for six ingredients plus water.
Chicken, Nectarine and Avocado SaladAdding leftover chicken will turn your favorite salad into a full dinner. If you're looking for a new recipe, try this one: the juicy, sweet-tart nectarine is a perfect partner to creamy avocado.
Golden Chicken PotpieIsn't chicken potpie the ultimate comfort food? While a from-scratch pie is a labor of love, this shortcut pie puts the cozy dish on your table easily. Using store-bought pie crust, cubed leftover chicken and frozen hash browns make assembly quick.
Baked Egg RollsThese takeout-inspired crispy egg rolls are 100% restaurant-worthy, but they're also quick to make in a home kitchen. The crispy shells are packed with fresh vegetables, and chopped leftover chicken gives them enough heft to be a main dish. As a bonus, they're baked, not fried!
Garlicky Chicken PizzaHomemade pizza is surprisingly simple to make, especially if you use store-bought pie dough. Once you start topping your own pies—controlling the amount of sauce, cheese and toppings—you might never go back to delivery. Adding sliced or chopped leftover chicken is a nice protein that matches literally everything.
Chicken Tortilla BakeAs delicious as individual burritos taste, they're time-consuming to wrap one by one. This casserole makes it quick and easy to serve a crowd. Layer tortillas with green chiles, cheese, chicken and creamy sauce, bake and watch your eaters clean the pan.
BBQ Chicken and Apple Bread PuddingThis recipe pulls out all the creative stops! Savory toppings turn bread pudding into a totally acceptable dinner recipe. Swapping corn muffin mix for plain bread adds tons of flavor. Chicken and BBQ sauce are a hearty filling, while cut-up apples add sweetness and crunch.
Cherry Chicken CroissantsInstantly elevate chicken salad sandwiches by serving them on croissants. What a treat! Like every good chicken salad recipe, this one combines a variety of flavors and textures: sweet fruits, crunchy nuts and vegetables, and savory bursts of bacon. Of course, you can swap in your favorite toppings, and serve over lettuce for an easy gluten-free option.
Chicken and Spinach Pasta SaladLooking for a pasta salad that's not too loaded with mayo or oil? Try this light, refreshing option, tossed in a savory, flavorful sauce of Italian dressing and hummus. Greek-inspired toppings include leftover chicken, spinach, feta and olives, but you can top with any fresh veggies and cheese you like.
Quick Chicken & Broccoli Stir-FryStir-fry is one of the most versatile cooking methods out there. Starting from a base of aromatics—think garlic, ginger and soy sauce—almost any ingredient can toss into a pot. Meats, chicken, vegetables, nuts and herbs all taste great.
Zippy Chicken EnchiladasMexican cuisine is one of our favorites, and we especially love quick recipes for weeknight dinners. This one-dish meal includes refried beans as well as cheese and chicken. Add a bit of texture with chopped olives and green onions, or use chopped cilantro, tomatoes or spoonfuls of salsa.
Curried Chicken & Peach SaladWanna know to make a fresh summer supper in minutes? Top bagged salad greens with jazzed-up leftover chicken. Fresh peaches are a sweet note that compliments the curried chicken salad perfectly, but you can swap in any juicy fruit: tomatoes, nectarines, apples or even berries will work.
Chicken Broccoli ShellsThis pasta dish looks impressive on a plate. But it's so easy to make: fill big pasta shells with diced chicken and broccoli. You can even prepare it ahead of time, and then bake just before guests (or your family) arrive.
Chicken Zucchini CasseroleHave a bumper crop of zucchini? Chop it up and turn it into a juicy, flavorful filling for this summery casserole. The recipe is so flexible: add other chopped veggies, cooked or raw, or your favorite cheese.
Chicken Noodle CasseroleCozy chicken noodle soup meets cozy chicken casserole in this ultimate comforting dish. It's creamy with cheesy sauce, crispy with chopped veggies and filling with leftover chicken.
Chicken DivanThis top-rated recipe starts with a homemade cream sauce, thickened the old-fashioned way, with a roux. The final dish is especially creamy and unctuous thanks to this easy (we promise!) step.
Chicken BurritosCooking for a hungry crowd? Bookmark this hearty dinner recipe. Cheesy, spicy burritos are filled with both beans and chili, making them ideal for growing teens.
Chicken & Cheese Noodle BakeRead the recipe closely: this one makes two entire casseroles! Eat one for dinner tonight and freeze the other, or bring both to a potluck.
Chicken Enchilada BakeEnchiladas are some of our most popular chicken recipes, and it's easy to see why. They're oh-so-easy to make, and please every eater in the family. This one uses corn tortillas, making it an easy gluten-free dinner.
Spicy Chicken Tomato SoupWant the equation for the easiest dinner ever? Combine leftover chicken with a good slow-cooker soup recipe. This flavorful, spicy soup calls for frozen and canned vegetables.
Chicken Enchiladas with Cream of Chicken SoupYou'll need a fork and a big plate to eat these cheesy, gooey enchiladas. Serve them with a good store-bought salsa on the side.
Chicken and Swiss Stuffing BakeIf you're only eating stuffing on Thanksgiving, you're missing out! The savory, crumbling bread dish makes a hearty casserole filling. Here, broccoli, chicken, cream of mushroom soup and Swiss cheese layer into a flavorful one-bowl dinner.
Cobb Salad Wrap SandwichesWant the easiest sandwich ever? Simply slice leftover chicken into a yummy wrap. Cobb salad fixings—blue cheese dressing, avocado and bacon—are a natural pairing for chicken.
Chicken Potpie Galette with Cheddar-Thyme CrustAlthough it relies on leftover chicken for filling, this galette is a delicious meal special enough for an occasion. The from-scratch crust gets an extra savory kick from cheddar cheese, and the filling is rich with mushrooms, chard and chicken.
Chicken Alfredo LasagnaTwo favorite pasta dishes unite in this scrumptious casserole. Alfredo sauce, chicken, ham and cheese layer between noodles.
Chicken and Chiles CasseroleCasseroles are the easiest one-dish meals. This creamy, cozy, slightly spicy dinner is filling and flavorful, and you can even make it ahead.
Chicken & Cheddar Biscuit CasseroleLots of great recipes start with a box of Bisquick mix. This delightful casserole combines the flavors of a good roast chicken dinner—peppers, sauce and buttery biscuits—but makes it all in one pan.
Baked Chicken ChalupasOne of our favorite Mexican-inspired dishes, chalupas are usually deep-fried and rich. This recipe simplifies them for the home cook: baking instead of frying, but not giving up a bit of flavor.
Cold-Day Chicken Noodle SoupThis has to be the best recipe to eat when you have a cold. As a bonus, it's easy enough to make even when you are feeling a bit under the weather (though it's even smarter to make a big pot and keep it in the freezer).
Chicken Tamale BakeThis ooey-gooey casserole dish is comfort food the whole family can enjoy. Serve with guacamole and chips for a festive Friday night dinner.
Chicken & Blue Cheese PizzaThis pizza breaks the convention that tomato sauce and mozzarella are requirements. Using olive oil as a base lets the flavors of the toppings shine, while blue cheese packs in savory flavor.
Originally Published: August 10, 2022
