Cooked chicken is good for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, according to the USDA. That applies to roast chicken, grilled chicken breasts, shredded chicken, and store-bought rotisserie chicken, as long as it was refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking.
If you will not eat it within that window, freeze it. Cooked chicken keeps its best quality for about 4 months in the freezer and stays safe indefinitely at 0°F (-18°C). Here is how to store it, how to tell when it is past its prime, and how to reheat it safely.
Cooked Chicken Storage Times
| Chicken | Refrigerator, 40°F (4°C) | Freezer, 0°F (-18°C), best quality |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked chicken pieces (roasted, grilled, baked) | 3 to 4 days | 4 months |
| Rotisserie chicken | 3 to 4 days | 4 months |
| Shredded or diced cooked chicken | 3 to 4 days | 4 months |
| Chicken soup, stew, or casserole | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 3 months for soups and stews |
| Chicken salad | 3 to 4 days | Does not freeze well |
| Raw chicken, for comparison | 1 to 2 days | 9 months (pieces) to 1 year (whole) |
Sources: USDA FSIS "Chicken from Farm to Table" and the FoodSafety.gov cold food storage chart. FoodSafety.gov gives a broader range of 2 to 6 months for cooked poultry leftovers in the freezer; the 4-month figure is the more conservative one for plain cooked chicken.
The 3 to 4 days start when the chicken is cooked, not when you open the container. For a rotisserie chicken, count from the day you bought it.
The 2-Hour Rule
The USDA says cooked chicken should be eaten or refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking or purchase, or within 1 hour if the air temperature is above 90°F (32°C). Bacteria multiply fastest between 40°F and 140°F (4°C and 60°C), and chicken left on the counter during a long dinner or in a hot car on the way home can sit in that range long enough to become unsafe.
If cooked chicken has been out longer than 2 hours, throw it out. Refrigerating it afterward does not reset the clock, and reheating will not make it safe.
How to Store Cooked Chicken
How you store cooked chicken makes a real difference to how long it stays good.
- Cut it up while it is still warm. The USDA recommends cutting a whole cooked chicken, including a rotisserie chicken, into smaller pieces before refrigerating. A whole bird cools slowly in the center.
- Use shallow, covered containers. Shallow containers let the chicken cool through faster. Airtight lids keep it from drying out and absorbing odors.
- Refrigerate promptly. You do not need to wait for the chicken to cool on the counter. Hot food can go straight into the refrigerator.
- Store it on a shelf, not in the door. The door is the warmest spot in the fridge.
- Label it. Write the date you cooked it on the container.
Keep cooked chicken away from raw meat. Store raw chicken on the bottom shelf in a container or on a plate, so its juices cannot drip onto cooked food.
Pro tip: If you cook chicken for meal prep on Sunday, plan to eat it through Wednesday and freeze anything left by Thursday morning. That keeps you inside the 3 to 4 day window without having to think about it.
Rotisserie Chicken
Store-bought rotisserie chicken follows the same rules as chicken you cook at home:
- Eat or refrigerate it within 2 hours of buying it. If you have errands after the store, pick it up last.
- Pull the meat off the bones and refrigerate it in shallow containers.
- Eat it within 3 to 4 days, cold or reheated to 165°F (74°C).
- Freeze what you will not eat. Shredded rotisserie chicken is one of the most useful things to keep in the freezer for soups, tacos, and pasta.
The bones and carcass can go straight into a pot for stock, or into a freezer bag until you have time to make it.
Can You Freeze Cooked Chicken?
Yes. The USDA says it is safe to freeze cooked chicken, and for best quality, flavor, and texture, to use it within about 4 months.
How to freeze it well:
- Freeze it early. Freezing on day 1 or 2 gives better results than freezing on day 4.
- Portion it. Freeze in amounts you will use in one meal, such as 1 or 2 cups of shredded chicken per bag.
- Remove the air. Press bags flat and squeeze out as much air as possible. Air contact causes freezer burn, which dries out the meat.
- Add a little liquid for sliced meat. A spoonful of broth or gravy in the bag helps keep chicken moist.
For more on packaging, see our guide on how to freeze meat properly, and for raw chicken freezer times, our chart on how long meat lasts in the freezer.
Thaw frozen cooked chicken in the refrigerator overnight, or reheat it straight from frozen. Chicken thawed in the fridge should be eaten within 3 to 4 days.
How to Reheat Cooked Chicken Safely
The USDA says leftovers, including chicken, should be reheated to 165°F (74°C), measured with a food thermometer.
- Microwave: cover the dish, add a splash of broth or water, and stir or turn the pieces halfway through. Let it stand for a minute, then check the temperature in several spots, since microwaves heat unevenly.
- Oven: cover with foil to stop the meat drying out and heat until it reaches 165°F.
- Stovetop: shredded chicken reheats quickly in a pan with a little broth or sauce.
Cold cooked chicken that was stored properly is also safe to eat without reheating, as long as it is within the 3 to 4 days.
How to Tell If Cooked Chicken Has Gone Bad
Use the calendar first. If the chicken is past 4 days in the fridge, throw it out, even if it looks fine. Bacteria that cause foodborne illness usually do not change the look, smell, or taste of food.
Discard cooked chicken sooner if you notice:
- A sour or unpleasant smell
- A slimy or sticky surface
- Any mold or gray-green discoloration
When in doubt, throw it out.
FAQ
How long is chicken good for after it is cooked?
3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, according to the USDA. In the freezer, it keeps its best quality for about 4 months.
How long is rotisserie chicken good in the fridge?
3 to 4 days, as long as you refrigerate it within 2 hours of buying it. Pull the meat off the bones first so it cools quickly.
Can you eat cooked chicken after 5 days?
It is not recommended. The USDA limit is 3 to 4 days. If you need more time, freeze the chicken before the window closes.
Can you freeze cooked chicken after 3 days in the fridge?
Yes, as long as it has been refrigerated the whole time and is still within the 3 to 4 day window. For best quality, freeze it as early as you can. Once thawed in the fridge, the USDA says to eat leftovers within 3 to 4 days.
How long can cooked chicken sit out?
No more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if it is above 90°F (32°C). After that, throw it out.
Keep Leftovers Moving
The easiest way to avoid wasting cooked chicken is to decide what happens to it the day you cook it: what you will eat this week, and what goes straight into the freezer. Freezer Inventory Tracker helps with both, with expiry reminders for what is in the fridge and freeze dates for what is in the freezer. Cooking eggs for meal prep as well? See how long hard-boiled eggs last in the fridge, and for holiday birds, how long Thanksgiving leftovers are good for.