Yes, you can put warm chicken in the fridge. However, it’s important to do it safely to avoid bacterial growth. To safely refrigerate warm chicken, it is recommended to divide it into smaller portions and let it cool down to room temperature first, which usually takes about 30 minutes. Then, you can cover the chicken and put it in the refrigerator.
Avoid leaving the chicken out at room temperature for more than 2 hours as bacteria can start to grow rapidly at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F.
How Long After Cooking Chicken before should you Put It in the Fridge?
To safely store cooked chicken in the refrigerator, it is recommended to let it cool to room temperature before refrigerating it. This helps to reduce the risk of bacterial growth and ensure that the chicken stays fresh for as long as possible.
It is important to note that the amount of time it takes for cooked chicken to cool down will depend on several factors, such as the size of the chicken pieces and the ambient temperature in the room. As a general guideline, it is recommended to let cooked chicken cool for at least 30 minutes before refrigerating it.
During this cooling period, it is important to avoid leaving the chicken in the “danger zone” of 40°F to 140°F for more than 2 hours. This is because bacteria can grow rapidly in this temperature range and can cause food poisoning if consumed. To speed up the cooling process, you can divide the chicken into smaller portions and spread it out on a plate or platter, which will allow it to cool more quickly.
Once the chicken has cooled to room temperature, you can cover it and place it in the refrigerator. It is recommended to store cooked chicken in the refrigerator for no more than 4 days. To further extend the shelf life of the chicken, you can also freeze it for up to 4 months.
So, to safely refrigerate a cooked chicken, let it cool to room temperature for at least 30 minutes, avoid leaving it in the “danger zone” of 40°F to 140°F for more than 2 hours, cover it and store it in the refrigerator for no more than 4 days, or freeze it for up to 4 months.
The 4 Hour/2 Hour Rule
The 4 Hour/2 Hour Rule is a widely accepted guideline for storing cooked food that is intended to be refrigerated. This rule is based on the rate at which bacteria grow on food and the speed at which it can become unsafe to consume.
According to the rule, if cooked food is left at room temperature for less than 2 hours, it is still safe to use or store in the refrigerator. If the food has been left at room temperature for between 2 to 4 hours, it is still usable but not ideal. However, if it has been left out for more than 4 hours, it is no longer safe to eat and should be discarded.
Also known as the 2 Hour/4 Hour Rule, this precautionary measure applies to a specific category of foods, including cooked meat, dairy, cooked vegetables and fruits, rice, pasta, and processed foods containing eggs. When handling these foods, it is important to be aware of this rule.
For how many days can you store a chicken in the fridge in the fridge?
Cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This assumes that it has been properly stored and kept at a safe temperature, below 40°F. It’s important to note that the fresher the chicken was when cooked and the faster it was cooled, the longer it will stay fresh in the refrigerator.
To ensure that your cooked chicken stays fresh and safe to eat, you should follow some basic food safety guidelines:
- Let the chicken cool to room temperature before refrigerating it, which usually takes about 30 minutes.
- Cover the chicken and store it in the refrigerator as soon as it has cooled.
- Store cooked chicken in the coldest part of the refrigerator, which is usually near the back or on a lower shelf.
- Avoid storing cooked chicken near raw meats or other foods that could contaminate it with bacteria.
- If you’re not sure if the cooked chicken is still good to eat, use the sniff test: if it has a strong odor, it’s best to discard it.
If you have any leftovers that you don’t think you’ll be able to eat within 4 days, it’s best to freeze them for later. Cooked chicken can be frozen for up to 4 months, but make sure to wrap it well and label it with the date it was cooked.
