How Long Does Cooked Chicken Last in the Fridge? (+ Food Storage Chart)
Published · 6 min read
Knowing how long food lasts saves money and keeps you safe. The times below are common food-safety guidelines for a fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder. When in doubt, throw it out.
Fridge storage chart
| Food | In the fridge |
|---|---|
| Cooked leftovers (most dishes) | 3–4 days |
| Cooked chicken or turkey | 3–4 days |
| Cooked rice | 3–4 days |
| Cooked pasta | 3–5 days |
| Soups and stews | 3–4 days |
| Raw chicken | 1–2 days |
| Raw ground meat | 1–2 days |
| Raw steaks and chops | 3–5 days |
| Raw fish and seafood | 1–2 days |
| Cooked fish | 3–4 days |
| Deli meat, opened | 3–5 days |
| Raw eggs in shell | 3–5 weeks |
| Hard-boiled eggs | 1 week |
| Milk, opened | about 7 days |
| Yogurt | 1–2 weeks |
| Hard cheese, opened | 3–4 weeks |
| Soft cheese | about 1 week |
| Leafy greens | 3–7 days |
| Berries | 3–6 days |
5 rules for safe leftovers
- Refrigerate cooked food within 2 hours (1 hour on a hot day).
- Divide big pots into shallow containers so they cool fast.
- Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
- Reheat leftovers only once.
- Label containers with the date.
Signs food has gone bad
Sour or off smells, slimy texture, mold, or a change in color. Note that some harmful bacteria don’t change how food looks or smells, so stick to the time limits too.
Never forget what’s in your fridge
RecipeMe keeps a list of what is in your fridge, reminds you before food expires and suggests recipes that use it up first. Try egg fried rice for leftover rice or a frittata for the last vegetables.
Questions
How long does cooked chicken last in the fridge?
Cooked chicken keeps for 3–4 days in the fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or below. Freeze it if you won’t eat it by then.
How long are leftovers good for?
Most cooked leftovers are good for 3–4 days in the fridge. Refrigerate them within 2 hours of cooking.
Can you eat food after the use-by date?
Don’t eat food after its use-by date, even if it looks fine. Best-before dates are about quality, so food is often fine after them if stored properly.
