Can you put hot chicken in the fridge? It’s a question that many people have likely asked themselves at some point, whether they’re trying to save leftovers or simply want to store the cooked chicken for later use. The short answer is partial yes, you can put the hot chicken in the fridge but only when it has cooled down to just above room temperature. It’s generally recommended to do so to prevent the risk of food poisoning.
Why Shouldn’t You Put Warm Food in the Fridge?
Some people don’t recommend refrigerating a hot chicken. However, it is just a misunderstanding stemming from the confusion between warm food and hot food. You cannot consider hot food and warm food the same. They are subjective terms but different from each other.
Hot foods are way above room temperature. You should consider any food above 95°F (35°) as hot. Such items or foods are scalding to the skin. Putting hot food in the fridge can cause more problems than benefits it offers.
The chicken should get warmer before putting it in the fridge. Some refrigerators can accommodate hot foods but generally, you should never keep hot items in the fridge.
What Happens if You Put Hot Food in the Fridge?
Hot chicken can easily go bad if you store it in the fridge. Bacteria can grow quickly because hot items can increase the internal temperature of the fridge quite considerably. It can also spoil other foods you have in the ridge.
Warmer foods, on the other food, do not scald your skin or warm up the air in the fridge. Therefore, you can easily refrigerate them without damaging the fridge or spoiling other foods.
However, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind when storing warm chicken in the refrigerator. Proper food safety practices can help ensure that your chicken stays fresh and safe to eat and prevent the risk of bacterial contamination.
How Long After Cooking Chicken Can I Put It in the Fridge?
One of the key concerns with storing hot chicken in the fridge is the potential for bacterial growth. When cooked chicken is left at room temperature for an extended period, it can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. These bacteria can cause serious illness and can be especially dangerous for people with compromised immune systems or certain health conditions.
To minimize the risk of bacterial contamination, it’s important to store hot chicken in the fridge as soon as it has cooled to a safe temperature. This will help prevent the growth of bacteria and keep the chicken fresh.
Generally, you should allow the chicken to cool for two hours before refrigerating it. Leaving it on the counter for more than 2 hours can be dangerous. The food is neither cold nor hot between 5°C and 60°. It is the most conducive breeding ground for bacteria to grow. Your chicken can easily be contaminated if you keep it within this temperature range for a long time.
So, how do you know when your hot chicken is cool enough to put in the fridge? The general rule of thumb is to wait until it has cooled to below 70°F (21°C). At this temperature, bacteria are less likely to grow and the chicken will be safe to store in the fridge.
How Long Can Cooked Chicken Remain in the Fridge?
Refrigeration can inhibit the growth of bacteria by offering cooler temperatures. However, this is the most it can do. You cannot keep your food forever in the fridge.
The maximum time for which you can keep raw and cooked chicken in the fridge is 2 days and 4 days respectively according to USDA. Cooked chicken will go bad after 4 days even if it has been in the fridge.
Can You Freeze Hot Chicken?
If you’re planning to store your hot chicken for an extended time, it may be a good idea to freeze it instead. This will help preserve the quality of the chicken and ensure that it stays fresh. Just be sure to let it cool and wrap it properly in airtight packaging to prevent freezer burns.
How to Tell if the Chicken Has Gone Bad?
There are many ways to tell that your chicken has gone bad. For example, it is no longer safe to eat if it has a slimy texture and sour smell or a clear change in color. You should throw away the spoiled chicken immediately.
Eating spoiled food can cause food poisoning that can be fatal in severe cases.
How to Store Hot Chicken in the Fridge?
You need to do quite a few things to properly store hot chicken in the fridge.
Cut it into Smaller Pieces
One way to speed up the cooling process is to cut the chicken into smaller pieces. This will allow the heat to dissipate more quickly, making it easier for the chicken to reach a safe temperature for storage.
Keep the Chicken Uncovered
You can also place the chicken in the fridge uncovered, which will help it cool faster. Just be sure to cover it once it has cooled to prevent any cross-contamination or odors from affecting other foods in the fridge.
Don’t Store for More than 4 Days
Another important consideration when storing hot chicken in the fridge is the amount of time it will be stored. Cooked chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to four days, or in the freezer for up to four months. However, it’s important to note that the quality of the chicken may degrade over time, and it may not taste as fresh after a few days in the fridge.
Keep Raw and Cooked Foods Separate
It’s also worth noting that leftover chicken should be handled with care to avoid cross-contamination. This means keeping raw and cooked chicken separate and washing your hands and any surfaces that come into contact with raw chicken thoroughly to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Does Cooking Chicken Kill All of the Bacteria?
Bacteria is a naturally occurring organism that loves to feed on chicken and other organic materials. Eating foods contaminated with bacteria can have severe consequences for you.
It is important to store and cook raw chicken properly because it carries bacteria like salmonella. You can kill most of the bacteria by cooking chicken. However, you need to cook your food at the right internal temperature and thoroughly to accomplish this task.
The factors that decide whether or not your chicken is safe to eat are the cooking method, length of cooking, and, the type of chicken. For example, roasted chicken is safer than grilled or simmered chicken because it takes longer to cook.
You must try to get an internal temperature of 165°F while cooking a chicken regardless of the cooking method.
Also Read: Can You Use Pumpkin Pie Filling Instead Of Puree?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to wait for the chicken to cool before refrigerating?
Yes, you have to wait for the chicken to get cooler before putting it in the fridge. Let the chicken cool for at least 2 hours or get warmer (just above room temperature) whichever is earlier. Never put hot chicken or food (above 95°F) in the fridge. It can increase the internal temperature of the fridge and can spoil other foods too.
How do you cool chicken after cooking?
Put the smaller batches of cooked chicken in the smaller containers to cool them quickly. Similarly, put the containers in the room with cool air to expedite cooling. You can also monitor the temperature using a sanitized thermometer.
What do you mean by 2 hours rule?
The 2 hours/ 4 hours rule deals with refrigerating cooked food like chicken, meat, vegetables, pasta, etc. It states that cooked food is safe to refrigerate if you leave it at room temperature for 2 hours. It is not ideal to use food left at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours but you can if you have to. However, you should throw away the cooked food if it has been at room temperature for more than 4 hours.
Final Thoughts
In summary, you can put the hot chicken in the fridge, but it’s important to follow proper food safety practices to ensure that it stays fresh and safe to eat. Wait until the chicken has cooled to a safe temperature (below 70°F or 21°C), store it in the fridge for up to four days, or freeze it for longer storage. And be sure to follow proper food handling techniques to prevent the risk of bacterial contamination.