Here’s How Long Chicken Breasts Will Last in the Freezer (and How to Store Them) (2024)

FAQs

Here’s How Long Chicken Breasts Will Last in the Freezer (and How to Store Them)? ›

If kept frozen continuously, it will be safe indefinitely. Chicken may be frozen in its original packaging or repackaged. If freezing longer than two months, over wrap the porous store plastic packages with airtight heavy-duty foil, plastic wrap or freezer paper, or place the package inside a freezer bag.

It depends on the cut. A whole chicken or turkey can be kept in the freezer for up to one year. Chicken or turkey in pieces can be kept in the freezer for up to nine months. Ground chicken or turkey is best consumed within three to four months if frozen from the date of purchase.

As long as chicken breasts are frozen at or below 0°F, they'll stay safe indefinitely. They won't taste (or look) great indefinitely, though. The USDA recommends freezing chicken breasts no longer than nine months for optimal quality and flavor.

Ideally wrap first in a layer of plastic wrap or freezer paper, then a layer of foil, then store in a freezer bag or plastic container. Multiple layers will help maintain quality and prevent freezer burn. Wrap tightly, pressing out as much air as possible.

If kept frozen continuously, it will be safe indefinitely. Chicken may be frozen in its original packaging or repackaged. If freezing longer than two months, over wrap the porous store plastic packages with airtight heavy-duty foil, plastic wrap or freezer paper, or place the package inside a freezer bag.

What happens to meat that's frozen too long? Food that is stored in a freezer at zero degrees will be safe to eat indefinitely. However, if meat is frozen too long it may lose quality and taste. If you are unsure if meat is still fresh, you can determine this once it has been thawed.

Wrap each chicken part (or whole bird, if you bought it whole) in plastic wrap, as tightly as possible. Place those wrapped parts in a zipper-lock freezer bag in a single layer. Better yet, vacuum-seal them in a plastic bag, if you have a vacuum sealer. (Our favorite is this one from NESCO.)

Color. Changes in color, just like with raw or cooked chicken, is an indication that the chicken has expired. Unlike the raw or cooked chicken, if the chicken has become faded, or paler in color than when it was frozen or, on the opposite end, has darkened—it is no longer safe to consume.

Whole chicken: Whole raw chicken can stay frozen for a year without losing quality and taste. Chicken pieces: You can freeze chicken pieces like breasts, thighs, and drumsticks for up to nine months without losing flavor and texture.

Why does chicken go white in the freezer? ›

Why does frozen chicken sometimes have dried-out white patches? These patches are called “freezer burn” and they are caused by poor packaging and/or leaving chicken in the freezer too long. Freezer-burned chicken is safe to eat, but it may be less juicy and tender.

Additionally, poultry has high amounts of unsaturated fats (the good fats), which can help lower cholesterol levels. Of course, just like with red meat, you want to stay away from highly processed poultry. Eating skinless, white meat is the healthiest way to go.

Whole chicken: up to 1 year. Chicken pieces, such as chicken cutlets: up to 9 months. Ground chicken: 3 to 4 months. Fully cooked chicken sausage: 1 to 2 months.

Individual pieces of raw chicken stay good in the freezer for 9 months, and whole chickens are good for up to a year when frozen. Your browser does not support the video element. If you're freezing cooked chicken, you can expect that to last for 2–6 months.

When freezing meat, preventing freezer burn starts with wrapping it in multiple layers of plastic wrap, wax paper or tin foil. Place your items into your preferred container and pack them down to help prevent excess air exposure. If you are using a bag, try to eliminate as much air from it as possible.

Chicken may be frozen in its original packaging or repackaged. If you plan to freeze chicken longer than 2 months, overwrap the wrapped plastic packages with airtight heavy-duty foil, plastic wrap, or freezer paper, or place the package inside a freezer bag.

The short answer is that foods will keep indefinitely in a frozen state. That's right — as long as your freezer is plugged in and functioning normally, frozen foods will never expire, go bad, or pose any health issues.

Per FSIS-USDA guidelines, if kept frozen continuously, chicken will be safe indefinitely, so after freezing, it's not important if any package dates expire. For best quality, taste and texture, keep whole raw chicken in the freezer up to one year; parts, 9 months; and giblets or ground chicken, 3 to 4 months.

Raw chicken pieces can be stored in the freezer for up to 9 months, while a whole chicken can be frozen for up to 1 year. Cooked chicken can be stored in the freezer for 2–6 months (1, 4). Raw chicken can last in your fridge for 1–2 days, while cooked chicken can last in the fridge for 3–4 days.

Of course, you can also store the vacuum-packed raw chicken in the freezer. In that case, you can keep it for about nine months and sometimes even a year. Some people prefer to vacuum-pack chicken meat that has already been cooked.