How to Store Raw Chicken
Updated: Mar. 26, 2024
Wondering how to store raw chicken? Just avoid this one mistake to keep your meal safe and delish.
There are few kitchen tasks messier than handling raw chicken. (This is especially true if you know how to cut a whole chicken.)Â It’s wet, slimy and makes it almost impossible to turn on the faucet to wash your hands without contaminating it. Fortunately, there are safe ways to handle and store raw chicken to keep it fresh and lower your risk of salmonella. And one of the easiest tips involves where you store chicken in the refrigerator.
Wondering, can you freeze chicken? It all depends on how it’s prepared.
How to Store Raw Chicken
After returning home from the grocery store, be sure to place your raw chicken in the fridge or freezer right away. It should not be sitting out on the countertops for any length of time. Raw chicken should only be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days before cooking or freezing, so be sure to have one of your go-to chicken recipes on hand.
Once you’re ready to store your chicken in the refrigerator, clear off the bottom shelf. One of the biggest mistakes is storing raw chicken on the top shelf of the fridge. While you’re at it, learn how to store ginger the right way.
Why the Bottom Shelf?
It sounds gross, but juices from the package of raw chicken can leak out and drip down to the rest of your fridge. This is especially dangerous for produce that usually isn’t cooked, such as apples or carrot sticks. Just a tiny amount of raw chicken drippings can contaminate produce, and you may not even be able to see it.
To safely store your chicken, keep it in its original packaging and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. I then place mine in a plastic grocery bag to catch any remaining juices and stick it on the bottom shelf of the fridge. Be sure it’s not sitting on top of any other food or drinks.
Plan to whip up your best chicken recipes within 48 hours to be sure that the chicken is safe to eat.
Our Favorite 30-Minute Chicken Dinners
Crispy Asian Chicken SaladAsian flavor, crunchy almonds and crispy breaded chicken make this hearty salad something special. —Beth Dauenhauer, Pueblo, Colorado
If you love 30-minute dinners, then check out our Quick Dinners newsletter!
Tex-Mex Chicken StripsI was looking for a way to amp up the flavor of regular chicken strips so I crushed up some leftover corn chips to create a crispy, flavorful coating. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Grilled Pepper Jack Chicken SandwichesBasic, yet packed with flavor, this sandwich gets a kick from zesty cheese and savory bacon. It's a great meal for summer days. —Linda Foreman, Locust Grove, Oklahoma. Looking for more recipes? Check out our collection of summer chicken recipes.
Gnocchi with Spinach and Chicken SausageDinner is easy when I can use ingredients typically found in my fridge and pantry. —Laura Miller, Lake Ann, Michigan
Country Chicken and GravyHere's a lightened-up take on the classic southern comfort-food dish: chicken and gravy. This recipe has been a hit at our house since the first time we tried it! —Ruth Helmuth, Abbeville, South Carolina
Asian Chicken DinnerThis quick microwave dish for two is perfect for a busy day. Soy sauce and chicken broth bring out flavors of the chicken and veggies. —Carolyn Zimmerman, Fairbury, Illinois
Easy Buffalo Chicken Lettuce WrapsOne time when making sloppy joes, I wanted mine spicy, so I doused it in hot sauce. After that, my mind went wild and I made it Buffalo chicken-style with ground chicken, diced celery and blue cheese crumbles. I've been making it this way ever since. —Jennifer Nielson, Spanish Fork, Utah
Herb Chicken with Honey ButterWhen the whole family could use a heartwarming meal, this one fits the bill! You'll love how the honey's sweetness mixes perfectly with the herbs' salty flavor. It's a wonderful combination! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Chicken and Broccoli with Dill SauceI've had this chicken and broccoli recipe for so many years, I don't remember when I first made it. Serve it with a side of couscous or rice for a complete meal, or add some sliced mushrooms or carrots for extra veggies. —Kallee Krong-Mccreery, Escondido, California
Mango Salsa Chicken with Veggie HashThis hash has the fresh flavors of spring. Using precooked grilled chicken strips makes the meal come together quickly. And the veggies make the dish so pretty! —Lori Mclain, Denton, Texas
Pressure-Cooker Spicy Lime ChickenThis tender chicken with light lime flavor is a natural filling for tacos, but my son Austin also loves it spooned over cooked rice and sprinkled with his favorite taco toppings. —Christine Hair, Odessa, Florida
Basil Chicken Sandwiches"I got the inspiration for this recipe when I knew my parents and in-laws were coming to see our new home," shares Kerry Durgin Krebs of New Market, Maryland. "My mother-in-law has food allergies, my father-in-law has some very specific food preferences and my parents appreciate light meals. I created this chicken sandwich with fresh basil for our lunch."
Quick Chicken Lo MeinI can throw this chicken lo mein together on a weeknight when my kids are doing their homework. It uses frozen veggies, which I always have on hand, so I don't need to run to the grocery store for ingredients. —Natasha Kennedy, Orlando, Florida
Chicken Biscuit SkilletMy mother always made this while we were growing up. Now I make it for my own husband and kids. I use the small biscuits since their tops brown so nicely. I also sometimes add mushrooms to this recipe because my family loves them. —Keri Boffeli, Monticello, Iowa
Angel Hair Pasta with ChickenIf you want to put something on the table that’ll give you time to spare on busy nights, give this delicious angel hair pasta with chicken a try. From start to finish, you’re only 20 minutes away from a vibrantly colored meal! —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California
Champion Chicken PuffsMy guests peel rubber getting to the table to munch on these chicken puffs. The tender bites are made with hassle-free refrigerated crescent rolls and a flavorful chicken and cream cheese filling. —Amber Kimmich, Powhatan, Virginia
Barbecue Chicken TostadasLots of my recipes (just like this one) start out as fun ways to use leftovers. My kids love tostadas, so this day-after-cookout dinner was a big hit. —Lauren Wyler, Dripping Springs, Texas
Cherry Chicken CroissantsI had a similar chicken salad at a restaurant and created my own version. It may seem like an odd combination, but the ingredients work really well together. My children love it, and it only takes a few minutes to cut everything up—so easy!
Air-Fryer Almond ChickenMy husband bought an air fryer after seeing it on television. We use it at least twice a week now! The chicken recipes that we have tried are especially good because of how moist the chicken remains. We started a low-carb diet and did not want to use bread crumbs, so we tried almonds. It's become a favorite. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Chicken QuesadillasLeftover chicken gets Mexican flair from cumin in this fun main dish. The chicken quesadilla recipe has an impressive look and taste yet requires little preparation. —Linda Wetzel, Woodland Park, Colorado
Spinach and Mushroom Smothered ChickenChicken breasts stay nice and moist tucked under a blanket of melted cheese. It's extra special to serve but is not tricky to make. —Katrina Wagner, Grain Valley, Missouri
Chicken Taco PocketsWe love these taco-flavored sandwiches made with crescent dough. They make a quick, easy lunch or supper with a bowl of soup or a crisp salad. I also like to cut them into smaller servings for parties. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Chicken Enchiladas for FourThese chicken enchiladas put a little zip into any menu. The rolled tortillas are filled with a hearty mixture of cheese, chicken and green chiles, and then topped with a creamy sauce and more cheese. I sometimes use leftover turkey instead of chicken. —Karen Bourne, Magrath, Alberta
Crispy Fried ChickenIf you've wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. Always a picnic favorite, this deep fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana. Check out our collection of best chicken recipes.
Salsa Verde Chicken CasseroleThis is a rich and surprisingly tasty rendition of a number of Tex-Mex dishes molded into one packed, beautiful casserole. Best of all, it’s ready in hardly any time! —Janet McCormick, Proctorville, Ohio
Parmesan Chicken NuggetsMy 3-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, so I made these golden nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
Artichoke Chicken Pesto PizzaMake pizza night an upscale affair with this fun twist on the traditional pie. A prebaked crust and prepared pesto keep things quick and easy. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Garlic Ranch ChickenThe simple ingredients in this recipe give it flavor the whole family will enjoy. A no-nonsense salad will round out the meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chicken Florentine PaniniChicken Florentine Panini, from Lee Bremson of Kansas City, Missouri, brings an Italian flair to this speedy meal. The grilled sandwich combines chicken with provolone cheese, spinach and red onion.
Teriyaki Glazed ChickenI love to experiment with food. We're able to buy sweet onions grown on Maui, so I stir-fry them with chicken and carrots for a tasty teriyaki meal. —Kelly Brenneman, Riverdale, California
Originally Published: March 17, 2020
