Chicken must be stored in the freezer so that it lasts longer in the kitchen without neglecting the chicken's quality. This is because handling the chicken properly will prevent the food from freezing burn and also ensure that it is safe for human consumption. For raw chicken, follow tips like using airtight packaging and labelling with dates to keep fresh for months.

Similarly, keeping cooked chicken in the freezer is very useful as a backup and you can also keep some food in the fridge to avoid food wastage. Are you searching or curious to know how long chicken is last frozen? Whole raw chicken can last up to a year in the freezer, and cooked chicken is best eaten within 2-6 months of storage.

Raw Chicken in the Freezer

Raw chicken may be frozen for several weeks. Here’s a general guideline:

• Whole Chicken: It can be frozen and must be eaten within 1 year after freezing.

• Chicken Parts (like breasts, thighs, wings, etc.): These can remain frozen for up to 9 months.

• Ground Chicken: The product is perhaps, best used within a 3 to 4 months period for maximum quality.

To avoid cross-contamination and to maintain chicken quality for as long as possible, raw chicken should ideally be stored in a freezer bag or plastic wrap with a layer of foil on top. This helps prevent freezer burn, which causes meat to go rancid and lose its quality over time.

Cooked Chicken in the Freezer

It freezes well when cooked, but not as long as it is raw. Here is the recipe:

• Cooked Chicken: It can also be stored in the freezer for 5 months. Since then, it may lose some of its qualities but will remain usable if kept at constant freezing temperatures.

Like raw chicken, cooked chick needs to be covered with a plastic lid or plastic wrap and then stored in a freezer to retain its flavour and moisture.

Signs Chicken Has Been in the Freezer Too Long

While freezing chicken extends its shelf life, it's important to know when it's not good to eat:

• Freezer burn: Sometimes chicken can get freezer burn, which means parts of the chicken will dry out or turn yellow. It will still be safe to use although it won't be as good as before.

• Unpleasant Smell: Depending on the odour, a chicken that has been thawed will have an off or sour smell and it is advisable to discard it.

• Weird texture: Over-freezing chicken also affects the texture of the chicken, making it feel tough or rubbery when one decides to cook it.

How to Properly Freeze Chicken

To maximize the shelf life and quality of chicken, follow these tips:

• Label Packages: Remember to put the date on any package that contains the chicken so that you can tell how long the chicken has been frozen.

• Wrap it Well: There are many things one can use when placing food in the freezer, such as a freezer-safe bag, wrap, or foil. To ensure that it stays hot, put the chicken in a foil and plastic wrap insulation.