Raw chicken isn’t much to look at. Nothing is super appetizing about it but rub on some oils and herbs and roast it—delicious! It’s why so many Americans can look past the grossness of this raw meat and consume 8 billion chickens each year—that’s 201 pounds per person per year on average!.
But did you know that 1 in 4 pieces of chicken meat carries bacteria that can make you sick? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 48 million people get sick from a foodborne illness each year with 1 million of those cases coming from poultry.
We consulted with Heather Danielson, MA, RDN, director of guest services at Banner Del E. Find out how to tell if your chicken is safe to eat or if it’s time to throw it away at Webb Medical Center in Sun City, AZ. But first, here’s why chicken can be bad for you:
You can add healthy and tasty raw chicken breast to many recipes. But if you don’t handle or store it right, it can go bad quickly. If you eat bad chicken, you might get food poisoning, which can make you sick and give you stomachaches.
Thank goodness there are a few simple ways to tell if your raw chicken breast has gone bad. Here are 4 telltale signs to look for .
1. Check the Smell
Your nose is one of the best tools for detecting spoiled chicken. Fresh raw chicken has a very mild odor. As it starts to go bad, it gives off a noticeably unpleasant funky, sour, or ammonia-like smell.
If you notice a strong odor when you open the package, it means bacteria like salmonella or E. coli are breaking down the chicken tissue and releasing smelly chemical compounds. This spoiled chicken should be discarded right away.
2. Examine the Color
The color of raw chicken can also indicate freshness. Healthy raw chicken breast has a pale pink inside and a white or pink outside.
As chicken spoils, the color fades to grey or green. The fat may also turn yellow or brown. This discoloration signals the growth of spoilage microorganisms. Do not eat your chicken breast if it changes color in these ways.
3. Check the Texture
The texture of raw chicken breast can provide important clues about its freshness too. Healthy raw chicken has a firm, glossy appearance that is moist but not overly sticky or slimy.
Spoiled chicken flesh becomes much more slimy and sticky. The meat may also be overly soft and leave indentations when touched. This shows the tissues are breaking down. Discard any chicken with an abnormal texture.
4. Pay Attention to the Sell-By Date
Always check the sell-by or use-by date printed on the raw chicken package. This date gives you an idea of when the manufacturer can no longer guarantee peak freshness and flavor.
For raw chicken breast, it’s best to cook or freeze it within 1-2 days of the sell-by date. After that, spoilage bacteria can multiply quickly. Chicken that is past its sell-by date has a higher risk of being spoiled.
Other Tips for Handling Raw Chicken Safely
Here are some other food safety tips to keep in mind when working with raw chicken breast:
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Store chicken in the coldest part of the refrigerator, at 40°F or below. Freeze if not using within 1-2 days.
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Avoid cross-contaminating kitchen surfaces and utensils with raw chicken juices, which may contain bacteria. Wash all items that touch raw chicken.
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Defrost frozen chicken safely in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature.
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Cook chicken thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 165°F, measured with a food thermometer, to destroy any dangerous pathogens present.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and eat within 3-4 days. Discard any chicken that smells, looks, or feels off.
Following basic food safety practices when handling, prepping, and storing raw chicken can help prevent foodborne illnesses. Pay attention to signs of spoilage and don’t take risks with chicken that seems questionable. It’s better to be safe than sorry when dealing with this perishable protein. Knowing what to look for will help you determine when it’s time to throw out raw chicken breast that has gone bad.
Any other tips to ensure you don’t get sick?
When you get home from the store with raw chicken, put it in the fridge or freezer right away so it stays safe. Don’t let it sit out on the counter or anywhere else that isn’t refrigerated below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
When cooking chicken, always double check with a thermometer to ensure that poultry is cooked properly. “Chicken, at minimum, should be cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit,” Danielson said. “Be sure to take the temperature in the thickest part of the chicken and in at least two different spots.” ”.
Is there any way you can salvage bad chicken?
“It’s not worth the risk,” Danielson said. The last thing you want is to be holed up by your toilet sick with food poisoning.
Here’s How To Tell If Chicken Has Gone Bad
FAQ
How can you tell if your raw chicken has gone bad?
If you think a chicken is bad, look for changes in color, a bad smell, or a slimy feel. Always check the expiration date and consider how it’s been stored. If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to avoid eating it to prevent foodborne illness.
Is it okay to cook chicken that smells a little?
It’s generally not recommended to cook chicken that has a noticeable smell, especially if it’s a sour or sulfur-like odor. A fresh chicken might have a mild, pleasant smell. A strong or unpleasant smell, on the other hand, means that the chicken has gone bad and could be growing bacteria.
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.
Is it okay if chicken is a little bit pink?
No, it is not safe to eat chicken breast that is pink inside. In order to kill harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that all poultry should be cooked to 165°F (75°C) on the inside.