alsawaritrading.com. Chicken meat is a food ingredient that is very popular among the public. It is often considered a food stock for daily use. Because it is easily contaminated, how it is stored is very important. Usually chicken meat is stored in the freezer in frozen form. Even though it lasts a long time in the freezer, over a certain time changes in taste and texture can occur. So how long can chicken last well in the freezer?

Frozen chicken stored in the freezer has a longer shelf life than chicken stored in the refrigerator. The storage time for frozen chicken in the freezer depends on several factors, such as freezer temperature, packaging, and the initial condition of the chicken. Raw chicken cuts such as breasts, thighs, wings and others can be stored in the freezer for 9 to 12 months at a storage temperature of -18°C or below. Frozen whole chickens can be stored in the freezer at the same temperature, i.e. -18° Celsius or lower, for a similar period of about 10-12 months. Meanwhile, chicken meat that has undergone processing, such as nuggets, ground meat, meatballs and others, can usually be stored in the freezer for 2 to 6 months at a storage temperature of -18° Celsius or lower.

Although frozen chicken can be stored for long periods, you need to make sure to check the expiration date on the packaging if available. You can also check the physical condition of the chicken meat before processing, such as the aroma is not strong, the color looks fresh, not grayish green and there are no white fungus spots on the skin. Apart from that, the process of thawing frozen chicken before processing is also important in shaping the quality of the taste and texture of the chicken meat itself.

So, chicken stored in the freezer does have a longer shelf life without affecting its quality if the storage process is done correctly. If stored incorrectly, the chicken can still be cooked but the quality will decrease which ultimately affects the characteristics of the chicken meat such as taste and texture. Meanwhile, if the chicken shows signs of damage, it should not be consumed. Even though it is still considered safe, avoiding it is the best choice for health and food safety.