How long does chicken last?
Quick answer
Chicken (whole) keeps 1-2 days in the fridge and 12 months in the freezer.
- Whole 1-2 days in the fridge · 12 months in the freezer
- Cooked, leftover 3-4 days in the fridge · 4 months in the freezer
- Ground chicken 1-2 days in the fridge · 3-4 months in the freezer
Fridge
From purchase
1-2days
Freezer
Can be frozen: yes
12months
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 does chicken last in the fridge?
- Whole1-2 daysFrom purchase
- Ground chicken1-2 daysFrom purchase
- Pre-packaged, luncheon/deli meat, opened3-5 daysAfter opening
- Cooked, leftover3-4 days
- UK advice2 daysAfter cooking
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 does chicken last in the freezer?
- Whole12 months
- Ground chicken3-4 months
- Pre-packaged, luncheon/deli meat1-2 months
- Pre-packaged, luncheon/deli meat, opened1-2 months
- Cooked, leftover4 months
- UK advice3-6 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?
Yes.
How to defrost chicken 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?
- 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 be kept out of the fridge?
Official sources give no room-temperature (cupboard) storage time for chicken.
All forms at a glance
| Form | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole | 1-2 days | 12 months | - |
| Ground chicken | 1-2 days | 3-4 months | - |
| Pre-packaged, luncheon/deli meat | - | 1-2 months | - |
| Pre-packaged, luncheon/deli meat, opened | 3-5 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Cooked, leftover | 3-4 days | 4 months | - |
| UK advice | 2 days | 3-6 months | - |
What the official sources say
“Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.”
“Chicken or turkey, whole 1-2 days”
“Fresh poultry Chicken or turkey, whole 1 to 2 days 1 year”
“Chicken or turkey, whole 1-2 days 12 months”
Frequently asked questions
How long does chicken last in the fridge?
Whole: 1-2 days; Ground chicken: 1-2 days; Pre-packaged, luncheon/deli meat, opened: 3-5 days; Cooked, leftover: 3-4 days.
How long does chicken last in the freezer?
Whole: 12 months; Ground chicken: 3-4 months; Pre-packaged, luncheon/deli meat: 1-2 months; Pre-packaged, luncheon/deli meat, opened: 1-2 months. Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.
Can you freeze chicken?
Yes.
Can you refreeze chicken?
In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking; In the United States: Yes.
Can chicken be kept out of the fridge?
Official sources give no room-temperature (cupboard) storage time for chicken.
Good to know
Other figures given by the sources for close variants:
- Fresh Chicken, whole Fridge 1-2 days Freezer 1 year
- Fresh poultry, Chicken or turkey, whole Fridge 1-2 days Freezer 1 year
- Chicken Luncheon Meat, sealed in package Fridge 2 weeks Freezer 1-2 months
Sources
We always show the most cautious time among official sources. Last checked: 1 October 2026.
- FoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart US
- Food Standards Agency - consumer food hygiene guidance GB
- University of Georgia Extension US
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension US
- Love Food Hate Waste (WRAP) GB
- North Dakota State University Extension US
- Ohio State University Extension US
- University of Delaware Cooperative Extension US
- Worcestershire County Council GB
- USDA FSIS FoodKeeper data US
- USDA FSIS Safe Food Handling and Preparation US
Values we do not display (4)
Values below were set aside: unconfirmed by a second independent source, or contradicted by a shorter time.
- General guidance, fridge: 3-4 days (fcs.uga.edu, a source gives a shorter time)
- General guidance, fridge: 3-4 days (ndsu.edu, a source gives a shorter time)
- Pre-packaged, luncheon/deli meat, fridge: 2 weeks (fsis.usda.gov, a source gives a shorter time)
- Pre-packaged, luncheon/deli meat, fridge: 2 weeks (fsis.usda.gov, a source gives a shorter time)