How long does cooked chicken last in the fridge?

A rotisserie chicken is one of modern day’s great life hacks. You pick it up from the grocery store, bring it home and eat it. And, if you didn’t eat the whole thing in one sitting (no judgment if you did), chances are you’ve got chicken left over for the week. But will it actually last that long? Whether grilled, fried, roasted, or rotisseried, cooked chicken has a shelf life, so let’s find out how long it’ll last.

How long does cooked chicken last in the fridge? 

Regardless of how it’s cooked — fried, grilled, shredded, or blackened — cooked chicken is safe to eat for three to four days, so long as it’s properly refrigerated (that means storing your rotisserie chicken at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less). And that goes for all parts — chicken breast, wings, thighs, legs — they’re all safe for the same amount of time. 

So even if your chicken wasn’t the best on the first cook (we’ve all been there!), don’t be afraid to save it and turn the leftovers into something else. Dry chicken? Shred it and throw it into a soup. Bland chicken? Chop it up and turn it into chicken salad. 

What’s the best way to store cooked chicken?

Bookmark the FDA-approved two hour rule in your brain: Anything that needs to be refrigerated, including chicken, must be refrigerated within two hours to prevent food poisoning and foodborne illness. After two hours, there’s a greater chance that bacteria will grow. No matter how the chicken is prepared, it shouldn’t sit for longer than two hours at room temperature before you put it in the fridge. Same goes for raw chicken. 

The USDA recommends cooling foods like chicken before refrigeration. Split big pots of soup into smaller containers to cool them more rapidly, and break down large cuts of meat, like a whole chicken, into parts to wrap individually for storing after they’ve cooled.  

You’ll want to store cooked chicken in something airtight: whether that’s a sealable bag or an airtight container is your choice. This storage method will preserve the freshness of your bird — and keep it from drying out — and also prevent any chicken odors from contaminating the other foods in your fridge. 

Can you freeze cooked chicken?

Like other proteins, it is safe to store chicken in the freezer to extend its shelf life. A frozen rotisserie chicken or other chicken pieces, whether fried or grilled, will remain fresh for four months. Prepared dishes like chicken soup or casseroles will last a bit longer — four to six months in the freezer. 

No matter how the chicken is prepared, store it tightly in a freezer bag or container to maintain quality and freshness and to prevent freezer burn. To thaw chicken safely, it’s best to do it in cold water, in the microwave, or in the refrigerator — never on the counter. 

How to know if cooked chicken has gone bad

If you are within the three to four day window and still find yourself wondering whether or not a piece of chicken is safe to eat, it’s best to rely on your senses. Specifically: smell and touch. 

Cooked chicken that has gone bad will develop an odor that’s “off” and will likely be sticky, slimy, or tacky to the touch. A change in color does not always indicate spoiled chicken. Depending on the preparation, a change in color during storage can be natural — however, if you have concerns, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. 

What’s the best way to reheat cooked chicken?

There are a couple of different ways to reheat cooked chicken: on the stove, in the oven, or in the microwave. Whichever method you decide, know that temperature is key. The FDA recommends reheating leftovers to an internal temperature of 165° F to ensure they’re safe to eat (an instant-read thermometer is a big help here). Soups, stews, and gravies should all be brought to a boil for proper reheating. 

• In the oven: Fried and other breaded chickens will likely do best in the oven as it’ll help crisp the breading again after refrigeration. For best results, try preheating your oven to 400°F, putting your chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet, and cooking for 15 minutes. If you’re reheating roasted chicken, cover it in aluminum and seal it around the edges to help prevent too much moisture from escaping during the reheating process. 

• On the stove: For shredded chicken, chicken cooked off the bone, or meat that’s been removed from the bone after cooking, reheating on the stovetop is your best bet. To keep it tender and moist, add a bit of oil and some water or chicken broth in the bottom of a skillet, then throw your chicken on top and bring it to temperature. 

• In the microwave: Although microwaving might not be the best method, since there’s a greater chance the meat will heat unevenly or dry out, it is certainly the most convenient. For optimal success, make sure the chicken is in one layer on a microwave-safe plate, and add a bit of oil and a splash of water before covering it with plastic wrap and reheating. This will help with even heating and keep it as moist as possible. 

Can you compost cooked chicken?

If you live in an area that has a city-provided food scrap collection program, there’s a good chance you can add cooked chicken to your collection bin — meat, skins, bones and all. Of course, always check with local services before throwing it in there. 

If you compost at home, good for you! However, unless you’re a composting pro, it is generally not recommended to compost meat — including chicken. Home compost setups usually don’t reach the internal temperatures necessary to break down meat and bones, and those items will likely attract unwanted pathogens and critters that may be hard to get rid of. 

However, there’s one big exception to this rule: Mill. The Mill food recycler can break down chicken and other meats so that they can be added to your home compost pile. Learn more about Mill. 

Sources:

1. U.S. Department of Agriculture: “How long can you keep cooked chicken?” December 13, 2023. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-keep-cooked-chicken

2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration: “Are You Storing Food Safely” January 18, 2023. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/are-you-storing-food-safely

3. U.S. Department of Agriculture: “Can you put hot food in the refrigerator?” March 23, 2024. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Can-you-put-hot-food-in-the-refrigerator

4. U.S. Department of Agriculture: “Chicken from Farm to Table.” November 14, 2019. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/poultry/chicken-farm-table

5. U.S. Department of Agriculture: “The Color of Meat and Poultry.” August 6, 2013. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/color-meat-and-poultry

U.S. Department of Agriculture: “What methods of reheating food are safe?” March 24, 2023. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/What-methods-of-reheating-food-are-safe