How long does chicken stay 'fresh' while in the fridge?

[zixxer]

I bought some chicken on the 4th and it has a "sell by" date of the 6th. Is it safe to cook/eat?


EDIT:

They are boneless skinless chicken breasts.

They were not frozen when I bought them.

 

[SoulAssassin]

smell it...if it's been thawed out in the fridge for a week I would say toss it. 3 or 4 days is really the max I would go

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: zixxer
I bought some chicken on the 4th and it has a "sell by" date of the 6th. Is it safe to cook/eat?


EDIT:

They are boneless skinless chicken breasts.

if they were frozen, yes!

 

[zixxer]

They were not frozen when I bought them.

 

[nycxandy]

I'd eat it.

 

[misle]

Go by smell. If it smells funky, pitch it.

I've cooked chicken that seemed a little past its prime, and while it tasted fine, I had some funky rotten chicken farts the next day.

 

[dullard]

Fresh meat usually does well for about a week. But to be extra safe, the recommendation is ~half of that time. If it doesn't smell, doesn't have an odd coloring, and doesn't have an unusal feel, you are probably just fine after a week in the fridge. Just be certain to cook it throughly. And if the first bite tastes strange, toss it all.

 

[waggy]

i would toss it. i don't mess with chicken or sausage.

if it was beef no big deal. but hell no would i mess with chicken.

 

[loup garou]

1 week is too long.

3 or 4 days max like SA said....but open it up, let your nose be the judge.

 

[jtvang125]

If they are still in their original packaging then 3-4 days.

I have had chicken go bad after 1-2 days after removing it from the package and placed in a bowl with a cover.

 

[So]

Not ten days -- that's for sure. Forgot about some chicken cutlets the other week...phwee-ew.

 

[Gibsons]

A lot depends on how long it was on the shelf at the grocery store before you bought it. Check the "sell by" date and don't go more than about, oh, 3-4 days after that.

 

[LS20]

if its really slimey on the outside and smell b ad toss it.. .i eat food past their expiration because i buy a ton at once and it hasnt killed me yet

 

[MustISO]

Two days is my max if it's not frozen but I'm just paranoid.