Having leftover chicken from a few days ago can seem like an inconvenience, but there are actually many quick and easy ways to use it up and avoid food waste. In this article, we will explore your options for repurposing 2 day old chicken so it doesn’t go to waste.
Is 2 Day Old Chicken Still Good to Eat?
The first question many people have when looking at leftover chicken is – can I still eat this? The good news is that properly stored chicken lasts 3-4 days in the refrigerator, according to the USDA. So if your chicken has been refrigerated the whole time, it should be perfectly safe to eat. Here are some signs your chicken is still good:
- It has been refrigerated at 40°F or below the entire time since cooking
- It smells fresh, without any sour or off odors
- It is not slimy to the touch
As long as the chicken was handled safely after cooking and meets these criteria, it will be fine to eat. The quality may start deteriorating after day 2, but it will still be safe.
How to Store Chicken Safely
To get the maximum shelf life and food safety, proper storage of cooked chicken is crucial. Here are some tips for safe storage:
- Refrigerate chicken within 2 hours of cooking. Do not leave it sitting out at room temperature.
- Store chicken in a sealed container or resealable plastic bag.
- Place chicken on a shelf toward the back of the fridge, not in the door where the temperature fluctuates.
- Use chicken within 3-4 days for peak freshness and quality.
Following these guidelines will ensure leftover chicken stays fresh as long as possible. If you froze chicken when fresh, it can be kept frozen for 4-6 months.
Risks of Eating Spoiled Chicken
Eating chicken that has gone bad can make you very sick. This is because spoiled chicken is likely to contain high levels of bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, and Clostridium perfringens. Possible symptoms from eating spoiled chicken include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Fever
The risks are highest for more vulnerable groups like pregnant women, young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. So it’s especially important to throw out chicken if there is any doubt about its freshness.
How to Use Leftover Chicken
Now that we’ve covered the safety of eating 2 day old chicken, let’s look at the delicious ways you can repurpose it!
Chicken Salad
Chicken salad made with leftover chicken is a classic choice. Simply chop up the cooked chicken and mix it with mayo, celery, onions, herbs and any other desired ingredients. Serve it as a sandwich filling, on crackers, wrapped in lettuce leaves, or on a salad. You can also make fun additions like pecans, grapes, or curry powder to change it up.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Transform leftover chicken pieces into a comforting soup. Sauté onions and aromatics, add chicken broth, chicken, noodles or rice, and simmer until heated through. Finish it off with fresh herbs, vegetables, or a squeeze of lemon.
Chicken Tacos
Shred the chicken and toss it in a skillet with taco seasoning and either sautéed peppers and onions or your favorite salsa. Pile it into warmed tortillas and add toppings like cheese, lettuce, tomato and avocado.
Chicken Pot Pie
For this quintessential comfort food, sauté onions, carrots and celery. Add chicken, broth, milk, herbs and thicken with a roux if desired. Pour into a pie dish, top with pie crust and bake until golden brown.
Chicken Casserole
Mix chopped chicken with rice, pasta or potatoes, cheese, cream soup, sautéed veggies and seasonings like garlic, herbs and salt. Top with bread crumbs or more cheese and bake until bubbly and browned.
Chicken Fried Rice
Stir-fry rice with chicken pieces, soy sauce or oyster sauce, eggs, frozen peas and carrots. Garnish with scallions.
Chicken Quesadillas
Fill a tortilla with shredded chicken, cheese and desired fillings like peppers, onions, beans, etc. Grill in a pan until the cheese melts and tortilla is lightly browned. Cut into wedges.
Chicken Enchiladas
Fill corn tortillas with chicken and enchilada sauce, roll up and place in a baking dish. Cover with more sauce and cheese and bake until hot and bubbly.
Chicken Pizza
Top a prepared pizza crust with leftover chopped chicken, pizza sauce, cheese and any desired toppings. Bake until the cheese is melted and crust is crisp.
Chicken Pasta Bake
Combine cooked pasta, chicken pieces, pasta sauce and cheese and bake until heated through. Top with more cheese and breadcrumbs if desired.
Don’t Throw it Out – Freezer Options
If you don’t think you’ll use up your 2 day old chicken in time, extending its life in the freezer is a great option. Here are some ideas for freezing:
- Whole chicken – Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. It will keep for 4-6 months in the freezer.
- Chicken pieces – Place in freezer bags or airtight containers. They will last for 4-6 months.
- Shredded chicken – Freeze in recipe-sized portions like 1 cup. It will keep for 2-3 months.
- Chicken stock – Freeze stock in ice cube trays, then transfer to freezer bags. The cubes can be dropped right into simmering dishes.
Frozen chicken maintains its texture and flavor surprisingly well. It makes preparing meals so easy to just pull pre-prepared chicken right out of the freezer.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are countless options for using up leftover chicken even when it’s 2 days old. As long as it’s been properly refrigerated, chicken keeps well for 3-4 days. Give your chicken new life by transforming it into soups, salads, casseroles, tacos, and more. With a little creativity, you can avoid wasting good food. So next time you have chicken lingering in the fridge, try one of these delicious recipes to use it up.