Can You Freeze Cooked Chicken? A Guide to Food Storage Practices
By Dr. Aastha Manchanda +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Aastha Manchanda
Last updated: Apr 30, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Aastha Manchanda +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Aastha Manchanda
Last updated: Apr 30, 2024Table of Contents
If you are someone who doesn’t like to waste their food and always think of freezing the excess chicken whenever you see it in your plate, then this blog is for you. It’s crucial to know how to store leftovers so they stay fresh and safe. This blog will give you the ins and outs of freezing cooked chicken.
We’ll touch on different kinds of cooked chicken and what you should do when freezing them. We’ll talk about the right methods to store them, check how long they last, and safe ways to thaw and reheat them. Common worries about using frozen cooked chicken will also be addressed. Finally, we will talk about fun ways to use your frozen cooked chicken in new recipes.
Did you know?
Here, we’ll look at the various cooked chicken types and what you need to do when freezing them.
Overall, most cooked chicken types can be frozen. However, each type needs to be dealt with in a certain manner when freezing. Let’s dive into this.
You can freeze breaded or fried chicken, but you may lose the crunch after thawing and reheating. To keep the texture, spread the chicken pieces on a baking paper lined tray for freezing. This step will stop them from sticking together and keep them crispy.
Grilled or baked chicken can be frozen with no real loss of taste. Take out any bones or skin before freezing for simple storage and thawing. Split the chicken into the portions you need and use the right containers or wraps to keep it fresh.
Stir-fried or sautéed chicken is okay to freeze. However, it’s best to freeze the chicken, sauce, and veggies separately. Put them in different bags or pots for easy use when reheating.
Poached or boiled chicken can be frozen and stays good when stored well. Cut into the right portions and put in airtight pots or bags to stop freezer burn.
In this part, we’ll go over the right containers or wraps to use. We’ll also discuss how to portion and mark the cooked chicken for freezing.
Your choice of container or wrap can make a big difference in preserving cooked frozen chicken. Here are some options:
These are good for freezing cooked chicken, especially if it has sauce. Be sure the pot is airtight to avoid freezer burn and leaks.
Wrap the chicken in heavy-duty aluminum foil before putting it in a freezer bag. This provides an extra layer of shield, keeping the chicken fresh and stops it from drying out.
Plastic freezer bags are perfect for storing cooked chicken. They are made to be used in freezers. But you must always ensure to take out as much air as you can from the bag before sealing it.
Cutting cooked chicken into the right portions and marking them clearly helps manage your freezer stock. Let’s talk about cutting into portions and labeling.
Plan ahead and think about how you will use the frozen cooked chicken in future meals. Whether you cook for one or more servings, cut the chicken into those many portions. This way, you will not need to thaw more chicken than you need.
Before you put the chicken in the freezer, mark the pot or bag with the date and a brief description of what’s inside. This will help you keep track of what’s in your freezer, makes meal planning easier, and ensures that you use the older items first.
Shelf Life of Frozen Cooked Chicken
Here, we’ll talk about what affects the shelf life of frozen cooked chicken and some tips to keep it as fresh as possible.
Frozen cooked chicken may last up to three months in the freezer when stored well.
A few main factors affect how long frozen cooked chicken lasts:
To keep your frozen cooked chicken as fresh as possible, here are some things you can do:
We’ve gone over how to freeze and store cooked chicken, now let’s discuss how to safely thaw and reheat it. You’ll find three main ways to safely thaw frozen cooked chicken:
The safest and best way is to let frozen cooked chicken thaw in the fridge. Put the chicken in a dish to catch any drips and leave it to thaw for a few hours or overnight. This method helps to keep the quality and safety of the cooked chicken.
For a faster option, put the frozen cooked chicken (still in its bag or pot) in a bowl with cold water. Change the water every half an hour until the chicken is fully thawed. This method may not keep the quality as good as when thawing in the fridge.
As a last choice, you can use your microwave’s defrost setting to fast thaw frozen cooked chicken. Be aware that this may lead to unevenly thawed chicken and a loss of quality. Be sure to reheat the chicken right away after defrosting in the microwave.
Once the chicken has thawed, it’s key to reheat it well. Here are some ways to do so:
An oven or toaster oven is great for reheating thawed cooked chicken while keeping its quality. Heat at 300°F (150°C) for about 20 minutes, or until the inside reaches 165°F (74°C).
For stir-fry, sautée, or sauce-based chicken, reheat it in a pan over low to medium heat. Cook until the chicken is hot all the way through, hitting an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
For a fast option, you can also reheat the thawed cooked chicken in the microwave. Put the chicken in a dish safe for microwaves, cover with a suitable lid or plastic wrap, and cook on medium power for 1-2 minutes. Make sure to check the interior temperature before eating, it should reach 165°F (74°C).
I will highly recommend that you must not leave cooked chicken at room temperature for a longer duration. Chicken contains more water than other meat products. This moisture might lead to rapid bacterial growth. Therefore, you must store the chicken soon after its cooked and cooled to room temperature.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
In this part, we’ll talk about safety worries and quality issues linked to refreezing once-frozen cooked chicken. We’ll also cover how to check if frozen cooked chicken is still good to eat.
Generally, it’s not advised to refreeze once-frozen cooked chicken. This can lower the quality and up the risk of bacteria growth. It’s best to only thaw the amount of chicken you plan to eat in one go.
Refreezing once-thawed cooked chicken can create safety worries due to possible bacterial growth during the thawing step. Also, the texture and flavor of the chicken may be affected badly when it’s frozen, thawed, and then frozen again.
In some cases, you may be able to refreeze once-frozen cooked chicken. This is if the chicken has not warmed above 40°F (4°C) and was handled well during thawing and reheating. But, this should only be done in an emergency. Even then, it may still lead to a loss of quality.
Before using frozen cooked chicken, it’s critical to check it for signs of spoilage. Look for changes in color, texture, or smell once the chicken is thawed. A change in color, a slippery texture, and a bad smell are all signs that the chicken is not safe to eat.
The best time to store cooked chicken is atleast after an hour of cooking it. Based on my observations, you can keep the chicken on the kitchen countertop till the temperature outside is a maximum of 85° Fahrenheit. Anything above this temperature might spoil the chicken.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
Adding frozen cooked chicken to new recipes can mix things up and save you time when making meals. Here are a few ways to do this:
Cut or shred the thawed cooked chicken and add it to your favorite salad for a protein boost.
Casseroles are perfect for adding in frozen cooked chicken. Just be sure to thaw the chicken before adding it to your casserole dish.
Add thawed, cooked chicken to your go-to stir-fry recipes for a quick and easy dinner option.
Put cooked, shredded chicken directly into soups. This adds protein and flavor.
Put thawed cooked chicken onto a pizza for a tasty variation on a classic recipe.
Correct food storage and handling steps are key to keeping the quality and safety of your cooked chicken. Freezing cooked chicken does not only save time and effort, but it also helps lessen food waste. By using the tips and rules in this detailed guide, you can make sure that your frozen cooked chicken stays fresh, tasty, and safe to eat.
Yes, you can freeze cooked rotisserie chicken. Remove the skin and bones, then cut and store the meat in airtight pots or freezer bags.
If stored right, freezing cooked chicken may only slightly change the texture or taste.
Use airtight pots or heavy-duty freezer bags, taking out as much air as you can before sealing. Make sure your freezer is kept at 0°F (-18°C) or below.
It’s not advised to freeze cooked chicken after four days in the fridge due to possible bacteria growth.
Hot chicken may lead to temperature changes in your freezer, which could lead to the growth of harmful bacteria. Let the chicken cool to room temperature before freezing.
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