How Long is Chicken Tikka Masala Good For?

Chicken tikka masala is one of the most popular Indian dishes around the world. This flavorful and aromatic curry features tender pieces of marinated chicken simmered in a creamy, tomato-based sauce. While incredibly delicious, like any perishable food, chicken tikka masala has a limited shelf life. So how long does this curry keep in the fridge and is it still safe to eat after several days?

How to Tell if Chicken Tikka Masala Has Gone Bad

With any leftovers, it’s important to rely on your senses to determine if a dish is still good or needs to be tossed Here are some signs that chicken tikka masala has spoiled and is no longer safe to eat

• Changes in how the sauce looks: the fat will rise to the top and make the sauce look separated. It might also lose its bright orange color and turn a duller shade. The chicken pieces will be slimy or mushy.

• Off odors: Gone-off chicken tikka masala will have a sour, rancid smell instead of aromas of warm spices.

• Off flavors: Chicken tikka masala that has gone bad will smell bad and not taste good. There will be a clear sour or bitter taste to the flavors.

• Mold growth: Carefully look along the sides of the jar and the top of the sauce. If you see fuzzy mold, throw it away right away.

Trust your instincts – if anything seems amiss with the look, smell or taste, do not take chances and throw the chicken tikka masala out.

Proper Storage for Chicken Tikka Masala

To keep food fresh longer and make it last longer, it’s important to store leftovers the right way. Here are some tips for storing chicken tikka masala:

• Allow the curry to cool completely before storing. Divide into shallow containers to allow for faster chilling.

• Always store chicken tikka masala in airtight containers. This prevents moisture loss and contamination.

• Refrigerate promptly within 2 hours of cooking. Do not leave at room temperature.

• Place containers on the coldest part of the fridge, away from the door. Optimal temperature is 40°F or below.

• If freezing for longer term storage, use freezer-safe containers. Frozen chicken tikka masala will keep for 2-3 months.

• When reheating, cook to 165°F and until piping hot. Only reheat once.

Following proper storage methods will help chicken tikka masala retain optimum quality and freshness for as long as possible.

How Long Does Chicken Tikka Masala Last in the Fridge?

With proper refrigeration, here is how long chicken tikka masala will last before spoiling:

• Freshly cooked: 3 to 5 days
• Restaurant leftovers: 3 to 4 days
• Homemade leftovers: 4 to 6 days

The shelf life depends on several factors. Restaurant curry has a shorter shelf life as the ingredients are not always fully cooked. Homemade has a slightly longer shelf life as the chicken is fully cooked through. And freshness of ingredients also impacts duration.

In general, for optimum quality and food safety, chicken tikka masala should be consumed within 3 to 5 days when stored properly in the fridge.

Identifying Spoiled Chicken Tikka Masala

It’s important to be vigilant when storing leftovers like chicken tikka masala for multiple days. Check for these signs of spoilage before eating:

• Appearance: Sauce is separated, chicken is slimy
• Texture: Chicken pieces are mushy
• Smell: Rancid, sour odor
• Taste: Off flavors, bitter taste
• Mold: Discard at any mold growth

Trust your senses. When in doubt, throw it out. The risk of food poisoning is not worth eating spoiled food.

Can You Eat 5 Day Old Chicken Tikka Masala?

At 5 days old, the chicken tikka masala is pushing the limits of safe consumption. The lifespan depends on several variables:

• Ingredients used: Freshness of raw chicken, produce, cream etc.

• Cooking temperature: Chicken must reach safe 165°F.

• Storage method: Was it cooled properly and stored in fridge at 40°F?

• Handling: Was it double dipped with serving spoon contaminating leftovers?

If it was made from fresh ingredients, cooked thoroughly, cooled quickly, and properly stored in the fridge, 5 day old chicken tikka masala should be safe to eat.

However, the quality will degrade the longer it sits. Flavors dull, texture suffers. At 5 days, the curry will not taste as vibrant. Unless you want to risk foodborne illness, it’s best to discard 5 day old chicken tikka masala.

Can You Eat 6 Day Old Chicken Tikka Masala?

At 6 days old, chicken tikka masala is extremely risky to eat. The potential for bacteria growth rapidly increases each day leftovers are stored in the fridge.

Even if properly stored at 40°F, the sauce and chicken will be past peak quality at 6 days old. Flavors and textures degrade over time. It will likely smell and taste off.

Eating 6 day old chicken tikka masala comes with the high risk of contracting a foodborne illness like salmonella or E. coli. It is not worth the pain and discomfort. For your safety, chicken tikka masala leftovers should be discarded after 6 days in the fridge.

What to Do With Old Chicken Tikka Masala

Instead of risking health by eating questionable old chicken tikka masala, here are some better options:

• Throw it out: When in doubt, toss it! Not worth getting sick over leftovers.

• Use in cooking: Add a small amount to flavor rice dishes, grains or curry bases. Cooking thoroughly at high heat reduces risks.

• Compost: Place spoiled chicken tikka masala in a compost bin instead of the garbage. It will break down into rich fertilizer for gardens.

• Pet food: Some pet owners add small amounts of leftovers like chicken tikka masala to their dogs’ or cats’ food. Check with your vet first.

While it may seem wasteful to toss old chicken tikka masala, it’s the safest option to prevent foodborne illness. Use your best judgment before eating week-old leftovers.

Food Safety Tips for Chicken Tikka Masala

To enjoy chicken tikka masala safely and reduce risks of food poisoning, follow these food safety practices:

• Always cook chicken to safe internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.

• Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Do not let sit at room temperature.

• Store leftovers in airtight, shallow containers. Place immediately in fridge, not counter.

• Observe consistent refrigeration at 40°F or below. Do not let temperature fluctuate.

• Consume fully cooked chicken tikka masala within 3 to 5 days. Toss when in doubt.

• Check for signs of spoilage like smell, appearance, texture before eating leftovers.

• Reheat fully to 165°F. Only reheat once. Discard after reheating.

• Avoid cross-contamination by using clean utensils and washing hands.

Following proper food safety practices will allow you to safely enjoy delicious chicken tikka masala without worries!

The Bottom Line

Chicken tikka masala is best when freshly made. For leftovers, it will keep 3 to 5 days maximum in the fridge with proper storage. At 5 to 6 days old, the risk of spoilage and foodborne illness increases exponentially. For optimal safety and quality, leftover chicken tikka masala should be discarded after 5 days in the refrigerator.

Rely on your senses – if the tikka masala smells funky, looks separated, or tastes off, throw it out. When leftovers are questionable, it’s better to be safe than sick. Follow proper storage methods and food safety guidelines to fully enjoy this flavorful curry without tummy troubles.