Kompas.com – When buying chicken, you may immediately process it or store it as a stock to be cooked at a later time.
But considering that chicken is a food that is easily damaged, how to storage it needs to be considered properly.
Raw chicken contains bacteria that can cause decay and pollute other food ingredients.
Also read: 3 Errors Storing Chicken Meat, Makes the Refrigerator Smell
The following is the right way to store chicken in the refrigerator and freezer to stay safe and durable.
1. Don’t wash chicken meat before storing
Once home, one thing that people usually do after buying fresh chicken meat is to wash it.
That’s because the assumption of washing chicken will make it clean and free of bacteria when stored.
But according to experts, washing chicken can actually spread bacteria to the kitchen area, eating utensils, and other surfaces.
If you doubt the cleanliness of the chicken purchased, just boil for a while then defecate and rinse with running water. Also make sure to wash hands after handling raw chicken so that cross contamination does not occur.
2. Storing chicken in the refrigerator under 5 degrees Celsius
To keep it fresh, raw chicken meat should be stored in the refrigerator with temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius.
Low temperatures slow down the growth of bacteria so that chickens are more durable. However, raw chicken stored in the refrigerator can only last for 1-2 days, while cooked chicken can last up to 3-4 days.
Also read: How to Melt Frozen Chicken Meat so as not to be contaminated with bacteria
If the chicken is stored longer than that time, most likely the meat has begun to rot.
Signs of chickens that are no longer suitable for consumption include changes in greenish gray, acid odor like ammonia, and slimy texture. If you find these signs, the chicken should not be consumed.
3. Save the chicken in the freezer to last longer
For longer storage, chickens can be frozen in freezers with temperatures below -20 degrees Celsius. The following is the durability of chickens in the freezer based on the type:
Illustration of chicken meat, raw chicken meat. - Whole raw chicken: up to 12 months.
- Raw chicken that has been cut: up to 9 months.
- Cooked chicken: 2-6 months.
When used, frozen chicken can be melted by putting it in the refrigerator (outside the freezer) or using a microwave oven.
Avoid melting the chicken at room temperature because it can cause dangerous bacterial growth.
Also read: 2 Chicken Meat Marinations Tips, Choose the Right Part
4. Put the chicken on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator
In order not to pollute other foods, raw chicken should be placed on the under the refrigerator.
Wrap the chicken with plastic and place it on a tray or plate to prevent meat juice from dripping into other foods, especially foods that are not cooked such as fruits and vegetables. Use a closed container for more practical and hygienic storage.
By following the right storage, chicken can stay fresh, safe for consumption, and last longer in the refrigerator or freezer.
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