It is no exaggeration to say that chicken meat is an incredibly popular, delicious, and relatively inexpensive product. And many hostesses prefer to keep it for sale. But there is a reasonable question: how much chicken can be stored in the freezer or fridge so as not to lose its useful properties?
Fresh product
If we are talking about storing fresh chicken breast (shins, wings, legs) or an entire chicken, it is better to freeze the product immediately. Because in the refrigerator, at temperatures between 32°F and 40°F it can be kept no longer than 4 days from the date on the package.
Fresh chicken meat will remain frozen for up to a year at a temperature of -11°F – 0°F. Accordingly, the warmer it gets in the freezer, the less chicken will be stored.
It is preferable to divide the chicken into single portions and, if necessary, peel it off the hide before it is sent to the freezer. Repeated freezing is not acceptable as it will strongly affect the taste of the meat and its composition, destroying most of the useful substances.
Pickled meat
Marinated chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours. But it is worth considering that prolonged exposure to tender poultry meat is extremely undesirable. You should, therefore, read the information on the sauce or pickling mixture very carefully before you begin. Experts do not recommend freezing such chicken.
Boiled or fried chicken
Boiled or fried chicken meat in the fridge will be perfectly preserved for 2-3 days at temperatures not exceeding +5 degrees. And in the freezer lasts up to 3-6 months, at 0° F. Meat does not lose its properties at all (at single defrost).
How to defrost correctly
- Take it out of the freezer
- Put it in a plate or tray so that the moisture has a place to drain off.
- Place in the main chamber of the fridge, away from the walls and finished products.
- Wait until the bird is completely defrosted.
Yes, such manipulations sometimes take up to 24 hours, but chicken meat will preserve maximum taste and beneficial substances. If you can’t wait at all, you should defrost the product at room temperature. And in no case do not use a microwave, warm water or other influences.
Chicken is a truly versatile and useful product, and its low cost, compared to other types of meat, makes it the queen of the table. Do not be afraid to buy frozen chicken or send it to the freezer for storage. Proper defrosting will keep all the benefits of the meat.