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- Chicken, (Gallus gallus), any of more than 60 breeds of medium-sized poultry that are primarily descended from the wild red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus, family Phasianidae, order Galliformes) of India. The chicken is perhaps the most widely domesticated fowl, raised worldwide for its meat and eggs.
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The issue is, what is chicken? Plaintiff says ‘chicken’ means a young chicken, suitable for broiling and frying. Defendant says ‘ chicken’ means any bird of that genus that meets contract specifications on weight and quality, including what it calls ‘stewing chicken’ and plaintiff pejoratively terms ‘ fowl’.
- Overview
- Appearance and color
- Smell
- Texture
- Purchase and expiration date
- The bottom line
You may be able to tell if chicken is still good by its appearance, smell, and texture. Following safe storage practices can reduce your risk for illness.
Chicken is a versatile, nutritious food that’s a diet staple for many households.
However, like many poultry and meat products, chicken can spoil. This can affect its taste and texture — and in some cases, make you ill.
That’s why it’s important to know how to tell whether chicken has gone bad. Fortunately, you can look for certain signs to make sure you’re eating chicken that is safe to consume.
Raw chicken
Before preparing chicken, it’s important to look at its appearance for signs of spoilage. Raw chicken should have a light pink color with white fatty pieces. If the flesh is gray or green or if the fat is yellow in color, this is a sign of spoilage and you should discard the chicken. That said, it’s normal if there are mild color changes in the chicken’s flesh. For example, you may observe a slight darkening or fading of the pink flesh, a normal result of oxymyoglobin — a red protein and pigment — converting to metmyoglobin after being exposed to oxygen (1). Though not always a sign of spoilage, this can mean that the chicken isn’t as fresh. Typically, as long as the chicken is safely stored in the refrigerator or freezer, mild color changes are normal. Finally, if you notice any visible signs of spoilage, such as mold growth, throw the chicken out. Unlike with hard cheese, you can’t just cut off a small section where mold growth has occurred, so you should discard the entire piece or batch of chicken.
Cooked chicken
Cooked chicken should be white, with no pink pieces of flesh. Pink flesh is a sign of undercooked chicken. If you’re storing chicken as leftovers, be sure to keep it in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or less, in a sealed container for a maximum of 3 days. And be sure to put it right in the fridge after cooking or eating — chicken can spoil if left out in the “danger zone” of 40°F (4°C) to 140°F (60°C) for more than a few hours. This is a temperature range in which bacteria grows exponentially and increases the risk for foodborne illness (2). If you notice any visible signs of mold growth or color changes between the time you put the chicken in the refrigerate and when you intend to eat it, throw it away (2). It can be difficult to spot mold or color changes if there are any seasonings or dressings on the chicken. That’s why you should eat the chicken within 3 days of cooking it. Be sure to reheat the chicken to at least 165°F (74°C), using a food thermometer to measure its internal temperature (2, 3). Summary If raw chicken is gray, green, or any color other than light pink, this is a sign it has gone bad. Cooked chicken should be white with no visible mold growth or residues.
A telltale sign of bad chicken is a foul smell.
Raw, fresh chicken will have a very mild smell or none at all. If your chicken has a very apparent smell, such as a sour or sulfur-like smell similar to rotten eggs, throw it out.
However, you should never rely on smell alone to determine if chicken is safe to eat.
People’s sense of smell can vary, which means not everyone will notice a change in the smell of chicken. So, look out for other signs of spoilage as well.
Summary
Chicken that has gone bad will usually have a sour or sulfur-like smell. Most often, fresh chicken has limited to no smell at all.
Fresh raw chicken has a glossy, somewhat soft texture.
It shouldn’t be slimy, sticky, or tacky. If your hands have a slimy residue on them after touching raw chicken, this is a sign it has gone bad.
Cooked chicken is firm and drier than raw chicken. If you notice any texture changes, such as increased softness, sliminess, stickiness, or residue, it’s likely no longer safe to eat.
Summary
Along with clear signs of spoilage, it’s also important to look at the expiration date as well as consider when you purchased the chicken.
First, always look at the expiration date before purchasing chicken. You may notice that a package of chicken can have two dates listed on it: a “pack date” and a “best if used by” date.
The first refers to the date the chicken was packaged and is intended for use by manufacturers and retailers, rather than consumers.
Instead, the “use by” (expiration) date is the one you should refer to. This is the date by which the manufacturer recommends you use the food in order to experience “peak quality.”
If you plan to eat chicken within 1–2 days, you can choose a package that’s approaching its expiry date, which is usually on sale. If you’re not going to use fresh chicken by its expiry date, it’s best to freeze it for later use (2).
It’s also best to grab raw chicken at the end of your grocery trip. This reduces the time it spends in your cart in the danger zone.
Being able to tell when your chicken has gone bad will help keep you and your family safe from foodborne illness.
Fresh raw chicken is usually a light pink color with white pieces of fat, has little to no odor, and is soft and moist. If your chicken is slimy, has a foul smell, or has changed to a yellow, green, or gray color, these are signs that your chicken has gone bad.
Toss any chicken that’s past its expiration date, has been in the fridge for more than 2 days raw or 4 day cooked, or has been in the temperature danger zone for over 2 hours.
Though these signs are useful, the saying rings true: “When in doubt, throw it out.”
Jan 18, 2024 · The answer to this question is a startling one, according to Sam Martin, a senior director and food safety expert at Microbac Laboratories. “Approximately 30% of grocery store chicken is contaminated with bacteria,” he told HuffPost.
Aug 4, 2021 · In this special report on the quest for safer chicken, Consumer Reports looks at why potentially deadly bacteria are legally allowed in our poultry and shows you how to keep...
Aug 2, 2023 · Future Perfect. Undercover audio of a Tyson employee reveals “free-range” chicken is meaningless. Why you shouldn’t believe what’s on your chicken label. by Kenny Torrella and Marina Bolotnikova....
The chicken (Gallus domesticus) is a large and round short-winged bird, domesticated from the red junglefowl of Southeast Asia around 8,000 years ago. Most chickens are raised for food, providing meat and eggs ; others are kept as pets or for cockfighting .
Nov 7, 2022 · Chicken diseases and illness can be caused by a number of things. Viruses, bacteria, molds, fungus, and parasites are the infectious type of illness. Often, if one of these occur, more than one bird will be affected. Some sick chicken symptoms are mild, leading to a day or two of not feeling up to par and exhibiting a low appetite.
