How Long Food Lasts

Poultry / Cooked or Processed

How long do chicken nuggets last?

Quick answer

Chicken nuggets keep 1-2 days in the refrigerator and 1-3 months in the freezer.

Fridge

After thawing

1-2days

Freezer

Can be frozen: yes

1-3months

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 nuggets last in the refrigerator?

  • Chicken nuggets1-2 daysAfter thawing

Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 °F or below.

Your fridge should be set between 0 and 5°C.

How long do chicken nuggets last in the freezer?

  • Chicken nuggets1-3 months

Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.

Food stored constantly at 0 °F will always be safe. Only the quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.

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.

Can you freeze chicken nuggets?

Yes.

How to thaw chicken nuggets safely

  1. In the refrigerator
  2. In cold water, cook it right after thawing
  3. In the microwave, cook it right after thawing
  4. Cook it from frozen

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.

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

Can you refreeze chicken nuggets?

  • In the United StatesYes
  • In the United KingdomOnly after cooking

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.

You can freeze food again once cooked, but you’ll only be able to reheat it once after that

Can chicken nuggets be stored at room temperature?

Official sources give no room-temperature (pantry) storage time for chicken nuggets.

What the official sources say

“Cooked Chicken Nuggets, Patties 3 to 4 days 1 to 3 months”

“Chicken nuggets or patties 3 to 4 days 1 to 3 months”

“Chicken nuggets, patties 3 - 4 days”

“Nuggets or patties 3-4 days 1-3 months”

Frequently asked questions

How long do chicken nuggets last in the refrigerator?

Chicken nuggets: 1-2 days.

How long do chicken nuggets last in the freezer?

Chicken nuggets: 1-3 months. Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.

Can you freeze chicken nuggets?

Yes.

Can you refreeze chicken nuggets?

In the United States: Yes; In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking.

Can chicken nuggets be stored at room temperature?

Official sources give no room-temperature (pantry) storage time for chicken nuggets.

Good to know

Other figures given by the sources for close variants:

  • Cooked Chicken Nuggets, Patties Fridge 3-4 days Freezer 1-3 months
  • Leftovers, Chicken nuggets or patties Fridge 3-4 days Freezer 1-3 months

Related foods

Sources

We always show the most cautious time among official sources. Last verified: October 1, 2026.

Values we do not display (4)

Values below were set aside: unconfirmed by a second independent source, or contradicted by a shorter time.

  • Chicken nuggets, fridge: 3-4 days (fsis.usda.gov, a source gives a shorter time)
  • Chicken nuggets, fridge: 3-4 days (foodsafety.gov, a source gives a shorter time)
  • Chicken nuggets, fridge: 3-4 days (fda.gov, a source gives a shorter time)
  • Chicken nuggets, fridge: 3-4 days (publications.mgcafe.uky.edu, a source gives a shorter time)