This Is How Long You Can Keep Leftover Chicken in the Fridge, According to a Food Safety Expert

There’s almost always leftover chicken in my fridge. I have good intentions and plan to eat it, but it often gets shoved to the back. By the time it resurfaces, I wonder if it’s still safe to eat.

So I talked about the do’s and don’ts of leftover chicken with Zachary Cartwright, lead food scientist at AQUALAB by Addium. Cartwright is a member of the Food Safety and Quality Management Division at the Institute of Food Technologists.

How To Store Leftover Chicken So It Stays Fresh Longer

Proper storage is the first step to making leftover chicken last. “The best way to store leftover cooked chicken in the refrigerator is to place it in an airtight container,” says Cartwright.

Cool the chicken to room temperature first, then quickly put it in the fridge. If it sits out for too long—more than two hours—bacteria like Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Staphylococcus aureus can multiply quickly on the chicken.

If stored correctly, leftover cooked chicken usually lasts three to four days in the refrigerator.

“Even when stored in the refrigerator, leftover cooked chicken can still pose a risk if it’s kept too long,” says Cartwright. “Refrigeration slows down the growth of bacteria but doesn’t completely stop it.”

The Best Storage Containers for Leftover Chicken

The best vessels for storing leftover chicken are airtight glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. “These containers help preserve freshness while preventing odor transfer to other items in the refrigerator,” Cartwright says. “They are also reusable and environmentally friendly.”

You can wrap leftover chicken in aluminum foil or plastic wrap instead, but make sure that it’s tightly sealed around the chicken so air can’t get in and affect quality and safety.  

It’s tempting to just keep leftover chicken in takeout containers, but they are often not the best option. If they don’t have tight-fitting lids, they shouldn’t be used for longer-term storage.

How To Safely Reheat Leftover Chicken

When you reheat leftover chicken, it’s important to follow some best practices to ensure it’s safe to eat and tastes good. Cartwright suggests several methods, but no matter the method, make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

• In the oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the chicken in an oven-safe dish and cover the dish with foil to keep the chicken from drying out. Cook until the chicken is heated through. “For larger pieces of chicken, this can take 20 to 25 minutes or longer, and I recommend covering them with a bit of broth or sauce to keep them moist,” Cartwright says. “Smaller pieces (like chicken tenders or wings) may only need 10 to 15 minutes.”
• In a skillet: Preheat a skillet over medium heat with a small amount of oil or butter in the pan. Add the chicken and cover it with a lid to keep the steam in and prevent the chicken from drying out. Heat for five to 10 minutes, turning the chicken occasionally.
• In an air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for three to five minutes, checking its internal temperature regularly.
• In the microwave–Place the chicken in a single layer in a microwave-safe container. Cartwright suggests adding a sauce or gravy to keep it moist. Cover with a microwave-safe lid and heat at medium power in intervals of a few minutes, checking the internal temperature after each. Let the chicken rest a minute or so after heating. 

How To Avoid “Warmed Over” Chicken Flavor

Sometimes you may notice a warmed-over flavor with leftover chicken. It’s nothing to worry about health-wise, but it’s not very tasty.

“The ‘warmed-over flavor’ in leftover chicken is usually a result of chemical reactions that occur when cooked meat is reheated and not a sign of microbial spoilage,” says Cartwright. “It occurs due to the oxidation of fats in the meat, especially when it is stored for several days.”

He offers these tips to minimize the funky flavor:

1. Store chicken properly.
2. Reheat gently and avoid using the microwave, which can highlight these flavors.
3. Add water, broth, or sauce before reheating to keep the chicken from drying out.
4. Add fresh herbs or spices when reheating to mask off-flavors and enhance the taste.
5. Eat leftover chicken within a day or two.