Do you know that moment when you open the fridge and find a pack of chicken that’s about to expire in 24 hours? What now? It’s a shame to throw it away but it also doesn’t smell or look very good. Is chicken after the sell-by date safe to eat? Or is there something lurking beneath those yellowish-brown skin and dry texture? Well, we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about chicken after the sell-by date and how you can still use this leftover. Fortunately, not all dates on food are there just to give grocery stores an opportunity to sell you things again. Many foods have a “sell-by date,” which is a measurement of when stores need to get them off their shelves and onto your plate. That means the “use by” or “best before” dates are more informative than others.
How Good Is Chicken After The Sell By Date?
It’s difficult to say how good chicken is after the sell-by date. If it’s been stored properly, it can last for a long time, so no one really knows how long it can last, nor do they need to know that. If you bought chicken, it will last longer towards the sell-by date. So I recommend you to eat it before that day. Because after that day it will go bad and will become stale and lose its freshness.
Why Good Is Chicken After The Sell-By Date?
1. It’s a good way to save money
It’s a good way to save money because you can take advantage of the food that has already gone bad. You don’t have to buy something new, you can use the existing one. You can also make it into something different, like chicken salad or meatballs.
2. It looks pretty
That’s why it has become a fashion trend for many people to buy this product. You see people buying chicken after the sell-by date and they look so cool with their pack of chicken in hand. You can do the same if you want to look trendy, cool, and stylish.
3. It is healthy
It is very healthy because when you eat chicken after the sell-by date, it will be fresh and there is no need for preservatives or other additives since no chemicals are added during processing at all (no artificial flavors or preservatives). So it’s just your fresh ingredients that are doing their job.
4. It is cheap
It’s the cheapest meat you can buy after the sell-by date because it’s already been used and has lost its freshness, so it can be bought for a very cheap price. You don’t have to worry about anything since this product doesn’t cost much and it is not worth buying new items if you can reuse your old one.
5. It is easy to cook
It’s very easy to cook because you can just put it in the oven or microwave and it will be ready in no time. You won’t have to worry about the food being cooked properly when you’re having a busy schedule.
6. It’s easy to store
It’s easy to store because of its compact size and its ability of not rotting easily, which makes it a good product for storage. Also, if you have more than one bag, then you can just keep them in the freezer and they’ll last longer.
7. It’s easy to cook
It is easy to cook because you can put it in the oven or microwave and it will be ready in no time. You won’t have to worry about the food being cooked properly when you’re having a busy schedule.
8. It’s cheap
It’s cheap because it’s already been used and has lost its freshness, so it can be bought for a very cheap price. You don’t have to worry about anything since this product doesn’t cost much and it is not worth buying new items if you can reuse your old one.
How To Cook Chicken After The Sell By Date?
How to Defrost Chicken
When you defrost chicken, you’re simply bringing it back to the point where it’s “frozen.” You’re not cooking it, you’re simply letting the water in the meat to warm up again. That’s why you’ll want to be sure to defrost chicken properly. When frozen, chicken has a very high water content. As it defrosts, that water will turn to ice and can make the chicken mushy. You can defrost chicken either in the refrigerator or in cold water. If you choose to defrost in cold water, make sure that you change the water every 30 minutes so that the water is always cold.
Check Carefully for Discoloration
If the chicken is discolored, has a bad odor, or feels slimy, it’s likely gone bad and you should throw it out. Discoloration is common in chicken that’s past its sell by date. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the chicken is bad. If you can smell the chicken and it doesn’t smell like chicken, throw it out. And if the chicken has a slimy feel or appearance to it, you should also discard it.
Re-freeze the Chicken
If you decide that the chicken is in fact bad, you’ll want to re-freeze it right away. Don’t throw the chicken out, but place it back in the freezer immediately. If you notice a few bad pieces in a bag of frozen chicken, you can just throw them out and keep the rest. You can store chicken in the freezer for up 18 months, so even if your chicken is a little past its sell by date, you can still freeze it for later.
Cook it Immediately
If your chicken is still in good shape, you can cook it immediately. If you decide to do this, you should make sure that you cook it thoroughly, to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to be on the safe side, you can use a food thermometer to make sure that the chicken is completely cooked. Be sure to clean the thermometer thoroughly before using it to check the temperature of the chicken.
Marinate and then Cook it
If you have chicken that is past its sell by date, you can marinate it to give it a boost in flavor. You will also have to cook it right away and make sure that you have a food thermometer handy to make sure that it’s cooked through. If you have other items that you want to cook at the same time, you can marinate the chicken and then just throw it in the oven along with the other food items.
Bake or Broil It
If your chicken is a little past its sell by date, you can bake it or broil it. You’ll want to cook it to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit and make sure that the chicken is thoroughly cooked through. When you cook your chicken, you should bake or broil it with nothing else. You don’t want any other foods contaminating your chicken.
Shred and Use in Soup or Stew
If you have chicken that is past its sell by date, you can shred it and use it in soups or stews. You’ll want to make sure that you thoroughly cook it first, though. You can shred the chicken and put it in soups and stews, or you can use it in casseroles or salads.
Ways To Use Leftover Rotting Chicken
1. Chicken stock
While chicken stock is the most common leftover chicken recipe, you can use it in many other recipes. Just add the leftover chicken to your stock pot along with any other vegetables or herbs that you want to add. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for about 5–10 minutes. Strain out any vegetables or herbs that are too large, and reduce the liquid as needed before using.
2. Chicken salad
Just like beef and tuna salad, you can make your own chicken salad by mixing chopped up leftover rotisserie chicken with mayonnaise, celery, and dried spices of your choice. You can also add chopped veggies such as carrots and raisins if you like.
3. Chicken wings
Since they’re already cooked, this makes for a quick meal that’s perfect for a party or get together with friends (since it’s easier to eat than raw wings). Just place the wings in a bowl, add whatever seasonings you want (garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, etc.), and toss to coat.
4. Chicken nuggets
Leftover chicken nuggets are a great option for kids since they’re so easy to eat. You can also make your own nuggets by placing the cooked chicken cutlets between two pieces of bread and pressing down with a rolling pin or meat pounder to flatten the pieces into a patty.
Conclusion
Chicken is a staple in many households, but we often don’t know what to do with it once we’re sick of it. If you have leftover chicken that is past its sell-by date, you should probably throw it out, but you might as well try to use it in a new way first. First, make sure that the chicken is stored in a way that keeps it fresh. You can also freeze it if you don’t plan on using it within a few days. You can also cook the chicken as soon as possible to avoid it getting worse. And remember to clean your hands, surfaces, and any other tools that come into contact with the chicken after you’ve handled it.
