How long do chicken parts last?
Quick answer
Chicken parts (breast halves, bone-in) keep 1-2 days in the fridge and 9 months in the freezer.
- Breast halves, bone-in 1-2 days in the fridge · 9 months in the freezer
- Breast halves, boneless 1-2 days in the fridge · 9 months in the freezer
- Legs or thighs 1-2 days in the fridge · 9 months in the freezer
Fridge
From purchase
1-2days
Freezer
Can be frozen: yes
9months
Pantry
No known time
-
Mine has been in the fridge for
Refreeze after thawing in the fridge?
- United States
- Yes
- United Kingdom
- Only after cooking
How long do chicken parts last in the fridge?
- Breast halves, bone-in1-2 daysFrom purchase
- Breast halves, boneless1-2 daysFrom purchase
- Legs or thighs1-2 daysFrom purchase
Your fridge should be set between 0 and 5°C.
Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 °F or below.
How long do chicken parts last in the freezer?
- Breast halves, bone-in9 months
- Breast halves, boneless9 months
- Legs or thighs9 months
Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.
Your freezer should be around -18°C
A freezer acts as a pause button - food in a freezer won’t go bad and most bacteria cannot grow in it.
Food stored constantly at 0 °F will always be safe. Only the quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.
Can you freeze chicken parts?
Yes.
How to defrost chicken parts safely
- In the fridge
- In cold water, cook it straight after defrosting
- In the microwave, cook it straight after defrosting
- Cook it from frozen
You should defrost your food in the fridge so that it doesn’t get too warm
It’s also important to use food within 24 hours after it’s been fully defrosted
There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.
Check the water frequently to be sure it stays cold. Change the water every 30 minutes. After thawing, cook immediately.
It is safe to cook foods from the frozen state. The cooking will take approximately 50% longer than the recommended time for fully thawed or fresh meat and poultry.
Can you refreeze chicken parts?
- In the United KingdomOnly after cooking
- In the United StatesYes
You can freeze food again once cooked, but you’ll only be able to reheat it once after that
Food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, although there may be some loss of quality.
Foods thawed by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.
After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods.
Can chicken parts be kept out of the fridge?
Official sources give no room-temperature (cupboard) storage time for chicken parts.
All forms at a glance
| Form | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast halves, bone-in | 1-2 days | 9 months | - |
| Breast halves, boneless | 1-2 days | 9 months | - |
| Legs or thighs | 1-2 days | 9 months | - |
What the official sources say
“Chicken or turkey, parts 1-2 days”
“Chicken or turkey, pieces 1 to 2 days 9 months”
“Chicken or turkey, parts 1 - 2 days”
“Poultry, pieces (breasts, thighs, wings) 1 to 2 days”
Frequently asked questions
How long do chicken parts last in the fridge?
Breast halves, bone-in: 1-2 days; Breast halves, boneless: 1-2 days; Legs or thighs: 1-2 days.
How long do chicken parts last in the freezer?
Breast halves, bone-in: 9 months; Breast halves, boneless: 9 months; Legs or thighs: 9 months. Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.
Can you freeze chicken parts?
Yes.
Can you refreeze chicken parts?
In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking; In the United States: Yes.
Can chicken parts be kept out of the fridge?
Official sources give no room-temperature (cupboard) storage time for chicken parts.
Sources
We always show the most cautious time among official sources. Last checked: 1 October 2026.