Storage guide
How long raw chicken keeps in the fridge
Fresh raw whole chicken, parts, and ground chicken keep 1 to 2 days in a refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below.
U.S. home food-safety guidance.Check the source and scope
What to do
- Put the package in a leak-catching container below ready-to-eat food.
- Record the purchase or thaw-completion date; freeze promptly if you will not cook within the window.
- Check handling history, not just the sell-by date or smell, before deciding to use it.
Conditions and limits
- The 1 to 2 days after full refrigerator thaw is a separate USDA allowance, not an extension for chicken left warm.
- A freezer quality timeframe is not a refrigerator safety timeframe.
Source and scope
Primary reference: USDA FSIS Chicken from Farm to Table. Equipment-specific steps and quality suggestions are practical guidance; check the appliance or product instructions for your model. How this site uses sources.