How long does raw chicken last?

Checked 24 Oct 20266 official publishers, 11 sources

Whole chicken: 1-2 days in the fridge and 12 months in the freezer for best quality.

Storage times for raw chicken by state and place
StateCounter / pantryFridge 40 °FFreezer 0 °F
Whole chicken 2 hours max CDC 1-2 days safety FDA FoodKeeper Extension 12 months best quality FoodKeeper Extension FDA Extension
Parts (breasts, legs, thighs) 2 hours max CDC 1-2 days safety FDA FoodKeeper FoodKeeper FoodKeeper Extension 9 months best quality FoodKeeper FoodKeeper FoodKeeper Extension FDA Sources disagree: 12 months Extension
Ground chicken 2 hours max CDC 1-2 days FoodKeeper 3-4 months best quality FoodKeeper
Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Sources compared

SourceStateCounter / pantryFridgeFreezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Whole chicken-1-2 days12 months
Nebraska ExtensionWhole chickenNot recommended1-2 days1 year
FDA 2018Whole chicken-1-2 days1 year
University of Illinois ExtensionWhole chicken--12 months
CDC 2025Whole chicken2 hours--
Nebraska ExtensionParts (breasts, legs, thighs)Not recommended1-2 days9 months
FDA 2018Parts (breasts, legs, thighs)-1-2 days9 months
University of Illinois ExtensionParts (breasts, legs, thighs)--12 months
CDC 2025Parts (breasts, legs, thighs)2 hours--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Parts (breasts, legs, thighs)-1-2 days9 months
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Parts (breasts, legs, thighs)-1-2 days9 months
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Parts (breasts, legs, thighs)-1-2 days9 months
CDC 2025Ground chicken2 hours--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Ground chicken-1-2 days3-4 months

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

  • “Keep your chicken stored on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator in a sealed container or wrapped securely” CDC
  • “Raw chicken is ready to cook and doesn't need to be washed first.” CDC
  • “Even small amounts of frozen food ... such as a pound of ground meat or boneless chicken breasts ... require a full day to thaw.” Extension

What the sources say

Raw chicken keeps 1 to 2 days in the fridge, whole or in parts: FoodKeeper, the FDA storage chart and the Nebraska Extension chart all give that time, and FoodKeeper gives the same for ground chicken.16932

In the freezer a whole chicken gets 1 year in FoodKeeper and the FDA and Nebraska charts, and the University of Illinois Extension says 12 months.1324

For parts the sources differ: FoodKeeper and the FDA and Nebraska charts give 9 months, while Illinois Extension lists 12 months for whole or cut up poultry.6324

Ground chicken has a shorter freezer time in FoodKeeper: 3 to 4 months.9

CDC suggests keeping raw chicken on the bottom shelf of the fridge, sealed or wrapped so its juice cannot drip onto other food, and says it does not need washing before cooking.10

Thawing takes time: the National Center for Home Food Preservation says even a pound of boneless chicken breasts needs a full day in the refrigerator.11

Nebraska Extension marks raw chicken as not safe at room temperature.2

Rules that apply here

The 2-hour ruleFreezing and refreezingThawing safelyFridge and freezer temperature
Cooked chickenGround beef

Sources

  1. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 113: Chicken, whole. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Chicken, whole. DOP_Refrigerate: 1-2 Days; DOP_Freeze: 12 Months
  2. Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Chicken or turkey, whole Not safe 1 to 2 days 1 yearChicken or turkey, pieces Not safe 1 to 2 days 9 months
  3. REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Chicken or turkey, whole 1 - 2 days 1 yearChicken or turkey, parts 1 - 2 days 9 months
  4. Freezer Storage | Food Safety | Illinois Extension | Illinois. University of Illinois Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Whole or cut up 12 months
  5. Preventing Food Poisoning | Food Safety | CDC. CDC. Dated 2025-11-24. Checked 2026-10-24. Never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F).
  6. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 116: Chicken parts, breast halves, bone-in. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Chicken parts, breast halves, bone-in. DOP_Refrigerate: 1-2 Days; DOP_Freeze: 9 Months
  7. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 117: Chicken parts, breast halves, boneless. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Chicken parts, breast halves, boneless. DOP_Refrigerate: 1-2 Days; DOP_Freeze: 9 Months
  8. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 118: Chicken parts, legs or thighs. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Chicken parts, legs or thighs. DOP_Refrigerate: 1-2 Days; DOP_Freeze: 9 Months
  9. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 115: Ground turkey or chicken. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Ground turkey or chicken. DOP_Refrigerate: 1-2 Days; DOP_Freeze: 3-4 Months
  10. Chicken and Food Poisoning | Food Safety | CDC. CDC. Dated 2024-04-29. Checked 2026-10-24. Keep your chicken stored on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator in a sealed container or wrapped securelyRaw chicken is ready to cook and doesn't need to be washed first.
  11. Thawing and Preparing Foods for Serving - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Even small amounts of frozen food ... such as a pound of ground meat or boneless chicken breasts ... require a full day to thaw.