When you think chicken can’t get any better, enter canned chicken. Nothing but a chicken breast in oil in a can; canned chicken is delicious and practical. There are many great things about canned chicken, but the best is its duration. So, how long does canned chicken last?.
Unopened, canned chicken is excellent and safe for about three to five years if properly stored. Unopened, it stays good for five to seven days in the fridge. But canned chicken that has been opened and kept in the fridge is safe for up to a week, but it’s not as tasty. Therefore, it is best for up to three or four days in the fridge.
Canned chicken has many uses, from salads to sandwiches, to pasta and much more; it is always a good idea to have some info on its shelf-life and storage. It is genuinely a shame to let the canned chicken go to waste just because you didn’t know a few little things you could have learned in a minute. So, in the following paragraphs, I will give some helpful information on canned chicken storage, shelf-life, and what to be careful about.
Sometimes it’s quick and easy to add healthy chicken from a can to a dish. But how long does the chicken stay fresh and safe to eat after being opened? This is something I used to wonder as a busy home cook.
From reading about it and using it myself, I know how long canned chicken stays good in the fridge after being opened. I’m going to tell you the most important rules about how long canned chicken should stay in the fridge so you can store and eat it safely.
Overview of Canned Chicken Fridge Life
You can keep an opened can of chicken in the fridge for three to four days. However, that timeframe can vary based on a few factors:
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Storage method: Keeping the chicken tightly sealed and covered will maximize freshness. Loose storage accelerates spoilage.
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Can/packaging condition: If the can or packaging is damaged or compromised, spoilage will happen faster.
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Sanitation: Clean hands and utensils prevent bacteria buildup.
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Fridge temperature: Chicken lasts longer when stored at a consistent 40°F or below.
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Expiration date: Chicken won’t necessarily spoil immediately after the expiration date, but quality declines over time.
With proper storage in a cold fridge, canned chicken stays fresh for use within 3-4 days. After that point, it’s safest to discard it.
Storing Opened Canned Chicken in the Fridge
Follow these steps to keep your canned chicken fresh for up to three to four days after opening it:
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Transfer the chicken to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing.
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Place the sealed container on a shelf or in a bin towards the back of the fridge, away from the door. This is the coldest spot.
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Label the container with the date opened. This makes it easy to track fridge life.
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Before each use, inspect the chicken. Look and smell for any off colors or odors. If detected, play it safe and throw it away.
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Use clean utensils and hands when handling the chicken to prevent bacteria transfer.
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Keep the fridge at 40°F or below. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
Following proper fridge storage methods helps keep your canned chicken fresh and usable for 3-4 days after opening.
Freezing Opened Canned Chicken
If you can’t finish the canned chicken within 3-4 days, freezing is an option to extend the shelf life. Here’s how:
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Transfer the chicken to resealable plastic freezer bags or airtight containers. Make sure to remove excess air before sealing.
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Label bags/containers with contents and freeze-by date (3 months from when it was first opened).
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Place in the freezer. For maximum freshness, store at 0°F or below.
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When ready to use, thaw in the fridge overnight. Use within 3-4 days for best quality.
Properly frozen canned chicken will maintain optimal quality for 3 months past the use-by date, but remains safe indefinitely if kept frozen.
Signs Your Canned Chicken Has Spoiled
Although canned chicken keeps for 3-4 days refrigerated, and 1-2 months frozen, it can sometimes spoil before those timeframes. Be on the lookout for these signs of spoiled canned chicken:
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Off odors, such as sour, ammonia, or rotten smell
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Change in color, such as gray, green, or yellow discoloration
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Slimy texture or appearance
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Mold anywhere on the chicken
If you notice any of these red flags upon inspection, play it safe and discard the chicken. It’s not worth risking foodborne illness.
The Takeaway on Canned Chicken Fridge Life
Canned chicken can be super convenient for quick protein in meals and recipes. With proper refrigerated storage in a sealed container, it will maintain quality and safety for use within 3-4 days after opening. For longer fridge life, freeze unused portions, and always inspect before eating. Follow the simple storage steps outlined here to get the most out of your canned chicken!
How Do You Know If Canned Chicken Is Bad?
If spoiled, a canned chicken will show clear signs of spoilage. When in doubt, you should look for three things: smell, appearance, and texture. If your canned chicken has gone bad, there will be changes in all three aspects, but they might not develop simultaneously.
The first sign of spoilage is usually the smell. Spoiled canned chicken develops a pungent, unpleasant odor similar to rotten eggs. It is very distinct and impossible to miss or confuse.
Granted, canned chicken has an intense aroma when good too, but the spoiled canned chicken smell is much more intense. So, always check the smell first and discard the canned chicken if it smells funny.
If the canned chicken is spoiled, there will be visual signs too. Depending on the spoilage stage, it may develop slight crust and darkening or mold. It may also change color, so be on the lookout for slightly greenish shades too.
The texture of a spoiled canned chicken starts getting rough and grainy on the surface.
You don’t have to notice changes in all three aspects, but usually, they appear together. Nevertheless, if you see or smell anything unusual, don’t risk it and discard the canned chicken immediately. Eating even slightly spoiled meat could be very harmful with long-lasting effects.
How Long Does Opened Canned Chicken Last?
Opened canned chicken is excellent and safe for about three to four days in the fridge. It will stay safe for up to a week but lose flavor and juiciness. If you want to keep your refrigerated canned chicken safe and delicious for the longest possible period, cover it properly, so it doesn’t dry out.
An open can of chicken be good and safe for up to two hours at room temperature. It’s still safe to eat the chicken after more than two hours, even if it doesn’t look or smell bad.
How Long Is Canned Chicken Good Past the Expiration Date?
Canned food doesn’t have an expiration date, as it won’t technically expire if left unopened in the can. However, it does have a best-before date. This means that even though canned food has a ridiculously long shelf life, it does decrease in quality after a while.
Canned chicken is considered good for three to five years if left intact and properly stored. Canned chicken can last for two-three years after the best-before date. You will notice slight flavor changes, but nothing so significant as to make the chicken taste bad.
Canned chicken is no different than other canned meat, such as tuna for example. So, treat it exactly like tuna in terms of storage and shelf life.
How Long will your Home Canned Foods Last? ~ Preparedness ~ Food Storage
FAQ
How long does canned chicken stay good in the refrigerator?
Refrigeration: Most opened canned goods should be transferred to a sealed container and refrigerated. They typically last about 3 to 7 days in the fridge.
How long can chicken salad last in the fridge?
When kept in the fridge in an airtight container, chicken salad usually lasts for three to five days.
How to know if canned chicken has gone bad?
Any foaminess or cloudiness, or if the can spits out liquid when you open it, are also strong signs that the can has gone bad. When in doubt, throw it out. Jul 21, 2024.
Is raw chicken ok in the fridge for 5 days?
No, raw chicken is generally not safe to eat after being refrigerated for 5 days. The USDA recommends refrigerating raw chicken for only 1-2 days.