4 Ways to keep Chicken fresh for a week

Love eating chicken, but don’t want to step out and buy it everytime? Then follow us through these easy steps and retain the freshness of chicken for at least a week. Keeping chicken fresh for a week often requires proper storage techniques to maintain its flavor, texture, and safety. So, whether you have bought chicken in bulk or want to prepare your meals in advance, here are 4 effective ways to keep chicken fresh for at least a week.

Marinate chicken in acidic foods such as vinegar, lemon juice, or yogurt to keep it fresh for a few days longer. The acid retards the growth of bacteria, keeping the chicken fresh for additional days. Do this only if you are going to cook the chicken in 3-4 days after marinating. Store marinated chicken in the refrigerator for food safety.

Freezing is the ultimate solution for maintaining chicken freshness beyond a few days. Wrap the chicken firmly in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or vacuum-seal it to avoid freezer burn. Date the package so you can tell how long it has been stored. Frozen chicken will remain fresh for 9 months in the freezer but to be best quality, use within 6 months. To thaw, thaw overnight in the refrigerator to maintain its texture and flavor.

Refrigerating is the most popular way of maintaining raw chicken freshness. Keep the chicken in a sealed container or covered tightly using plastic wrap or aluminum foil. For added protection, put it in a resealable freezer bag with as much air squeezed out as possible. Maintain the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C). Raw chicken stored properly will last 2 days in the fridge, but for a week, freeze it instead.

If you are transporting chicken, like for picnics or long trips, keep it cool with ice packs. Store the chicken in an insulated cooler with ice packs to maintain a temperature below 40°F (4°C). This method keeps the chicken fresh for a few hours to a day, depending on the ice pack’s effectiveness. For longer storage, it’s best to refrigerate or freeze the chicken once you’re back home.