Trying to prepare dinner can be tough when you're hungry and in a hurry, so you have to make sure that the chicken you have is still edible. We all know that eating rotten chicken can make a person seriously ill. Not only raw chicken, cooked chicken can also make you sick. However, what if you have frozen chicken? There are various ways to find out if chicken is safe for consumption using only the senses of sight, touch and taste.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Checking Raw Chicken
Step 1. Notice the change in the color of the chicken
In a fresh state, raw chicken is pink (pink) like meat. When it starts to rot, the color of the chicken fades to gray. If the color of the chicken starts to look more faded, you should treat it immediately before it goes bad. As soon as the chicken appears more gray than pink, it's too late to work it out.
- Raw chicken ranges in color from gray to yellow, non-peeling patches.
- If you start cooking rotten chicken, it may continue to fade and not turn pale.
Step 2. Smell the chicken
Rotten raw chicken has a very strong smell. Some people describe the smell as "sour" while others liken it to ammonia. If the chicken has started to smell bad or is very pungent like anything else, it's best to throw it away.
While cooking chicken may start to smell bad, it's best to throw it away when it starts to smell bad
Step 3. Touch the surface of the chicken
Does it feel damp/watery? Testing by touch is a little more difficult than checking for color or aroma, as chickens naturally have a shiny, slightly moist/juicy appearance. However, if moisture remains even after washing under running water, it's possible that the chicken has spoiled. If you feel an unusual sticky feeling when you touch it, it is almost certain that the chicken is rotten.
Method 2 of 4: Checking the Frozen Chicken
Step 1. Look for ice sheets
If a thin layer of ice covers the chicken, it means the chicken is no longer good. The slab will thicken just like ice in a freezer that hasn't thawed for a while. If the process goes right on the chicken that freezes quickly it will not form a thick layer of ice. If the ice is white, there may be a problem with freezer burn (damage frozen food due to dehydration/dryness and oxidation).
Step 2. Check for freezer burn. Damage due to dehydration is indicated by the presence of patches or white parts on the chicken that are not small. The patches are rougher than the surrounding skin and are slightly raised.
The damage from dehydration is harmless, but the chicken becomes less delicious
Step 3. Perform a color analysis of the chicken
The color of frozen chicken is more difficult to check. Both raw chicken and cooked chicken, both are similar in that they will be slightly gray or yellow in color. If the color of the chicken is darker than gray, it should be discarded immediately.
Method 3 of 4: Checking the Chicken is Cooked
Step 1. Smell the chicken
The aroma test can be applied to both cooked (cooked) or raw chicken, but sometimes it's harder to tell if the smell of rotten chicken is when spices or other seasonings mask the smell.
If the smell of chicken smells like rotten eggs or sulfur, it means the chicken is rotten
Step 2. If possible, check for discoloration of the chicken
Sometimes this check is not possible if the chicken has been dusted with flour or if the color has been changed by a layer of batter or dipping. If the cooked white chicken starts to look gray, it means that the chicken is no longer safe for consumption.
Step 3. Look for mold
Mold is one of the most obvious signs of a rotten chicken. If the feathers are black or green, or any organic growth begins to form on the surface of the chicken, the chicken is very rotten and should be discarded immediately. Even the 'not fresh' smell of chicken might make you sick.
Step 4. Taste the chicken before you swallow it
If you're not sure whether the cooked chicken is still edible or not, but don't want to throw it away if it's still viable, you can take a careful bite. Do not rush to chew and swallow it, instead you should pause and analyze the taste carefully.
If the chicken tastes "not fresh" or tastes a little sour, it's best to spit it out again and throw away the rest
Method 4 of 4: Checking Things Regarding Chicken Storage
Step 1. Check the "Sell by" date - the date when an item leaves the factory to begin marketing
The date is not always a good indication of whether the raw chicken is still in good condition or not, as the "Sell by" date only tells when the chicken can no longer be sold to consumers. Instead of relying solely on "Sell by" date clues, the best and most effective way to do this is to use that date as a reference to determine whether the chicken you suspect is rotten or not.
If you buy fresh, refrigerated chicken from the store and then freeze it, it can last up to nine months after the date of purchase, as long as it is fresh at the time of purchase
Step 2. Check how thoroughly the chicken is stored
Undercooked (cooked) chicken spoils more quickly when exposed to air, and chicken stored improperly is more likely to rot.
- Chicken should be stored in a shallow airtight container or in a special bag for storage in a strong and durable freezer.
- The chicken can also be tightly wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
- Example: to be safe for consumption, a whole chicken must be cut into smaller pieces and the contents must be removed before storing it in the refrigerator or freezing it.
Step 3. Know where and how long the chicken is stored
Depending on how you store the chicken, after a period of time has elapsed the chances of the chicken to rot will be higher.
- Raw chicken stored in the refrigerator should be cooked within a day or two, while cooked chicken will remain good for about three or four days.
- Cooked chicken in the freezer will remain good and safe for consumption for up to four months, while raw chicken will be good for up to a year.
Tips
- If you feel your chicken is "quite gray" or "fairly runny/moist", that's generally the case and you should throw the chicken away.
- If the chicken has thawed while it is still at the sales counter, cancel the purchase.
