Eating leftover rotisserie chicken after 7 days can be risky. While it may still look and smell fine, harmful bacteria like salmonella can start growing after just a few days in the fridge. So is it ever safe to eat rotisserie chicken after a week? Here’s a closer look at food safety guidelines, signs of spoilage, and how to tell if your leftovers are still good.
How long is rotisserie chicken good for?
According to USDA guidelines, cooked rotisserie chicken lasts 3-4 days in the refrigerator. After that point, bacteria can multiply quickly and make food unsafe to eat. Here are the USDA’s official recommendations for rotisserie chicken refrigerator times:
- Refrigerator: 3-4 days
- Freezer: 1-3 months
So in terms of food safety standards, rotisserie chicken shouldn’t be eaten after sitting in the fridge for a week. But some people may wonder if it lasts longer.
What happens when you eat rotisserie chicken after 7 days?
Eating rotisserie chicken that’s over a week old comes with risks. As the chicken sits in the fridge, bacteria starts to grow. Even when stored properly below 40°F, some spoilage bacteria can still multiply over time. Other foodborne pathogens like salmonella also survive and may start reproducing.
When you eat rotisserie chicken after 7 days (or more) in the fridge, these bacteria can cause symptoms like:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Fever
For older adults, pregnant women, young children and those with weakened immune systems, the effects can be even more dangerous. Food poisoning in high risk groups may lead to dehydration, hospitalization or even death in severe cases.
How to tell if rotisserie chicken has gone bad
Since rotisserie chicken can harbor dangerous bacteria without obvious signs, it’s important to rely on more than just sight, smell and taste. But here are some common signs that indicate spoiled chicken:
- Appearance: Slimy texture, dull color
- Smell: Rotten, sulfurous odor
- Taste: Off flavors, bitterness
As chicken spoils, you may also notice the flesh darkening and drying out. But again, foodborne illnesses can occur without any noticeable changes. Don’t trust your eyes, nose or taste buds to determine if older leftovers are safe.
Does reheating make old chicken safe to eat?
Proper reheating can kill bacteria on chicken that’s over a week old. According to food safety recommendations, leftovers should be heated to 165°F. At this temperature, salmonella and other potentially harmful bugs are destroyed.
However, reheating doesn’t make spoiled chicken fresh again. Even if pathogens are killed by thorough cooking, the quality of the meat itself starts deteriorating within days. Reheating 7-day-old chicken may make it safer, but probably won’t make it taste great.
What are the best ways to store and reheat chicken?
To get the longest shelf life and safest leftovers from your rotisserie chicken, follow these storage guidelines:
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Cut chicken into smaller pieces so it chills quickly.
- Store chicken in airtight, shallow containers to prevent drying out.
- Use chicken within 3-4 days for peak quality and safety.
- Freeze extra portions immediately for later use within 1-3 months.
- When reheating, use a food thermometer to check that chicken reaches 165°F.
Tips for eating rotisserie chicken safely
Here are some extra food safety tips for handling rotisserie chicken:
- Don’t leave chicken sitting out at room temperature. Refrigerate as soon as possible after purchasing.
- Discard any chicken that has an off smell or odd color/texture.
- Avoid taste-testing chicken that is older than 4-5 days.
- When reheating, bring all parts of chicken to 165°F using an instant-read thermometer.
- Consume leftovers within 3-4 days and don’t eat any chicken that is 7+ days old.
- If in doubt, throw it out! Don’t risk getting sick from spoiled chicken.
The bottom line
Rotisserie chicken should be eaten within 3-4 days for the best quality and food safety. The USDA warns against eating any cooked chicken that’s been refrigerated for over a week. After 7 days, bacteria levels can reach dangerous amounts. Reheating old chicken to 165°F may kill pathogens but it won’t reverse the loss of quality and nutritional value over time. For healthiest and tastiest results, try to finish rotisserie chicken within 4 days and don’t eat any leftovers after a week.
Here is a summary of the key points:
- USDA says cooked rotisserie chicken lasts 3-4 days max in the fridge.
- Bacteria like salmonella start growing rapidly after a few days.
- Eating chicken over 7 days old risks food poisoning.
- Leftovers may look and smell fine but still contain pathogens.
- Always rely on refrigerator times, not appearance, smell or taste.
- Reheating chicken can kill bacteria but doesn’t prevent quality loss.
- For safety and quality, eat chicken within 3-4 days and discard anything over 7 days old.
When handling leftovers, be sure to follow proper storage methods, look for signs of spoilage, and use safe reheating procedures. Avoid the risks of foodborne illness by only consuming rotisserie chicken within 4 days and throwing away any leftovers after a week.
With sound food safety practices, you can safely enjoy delicious rotisserie chicken throughout the week. Just be sure to pay close attention to refrigerator times and don’t let those leftovers hang around too long. Eat or freeze properly stored chicken within 3-4 days for the very best quality and food safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Costco rotisserie chicken last in the fridge?
Costco rotisserie chicken has the same shelf life as any other cooked chicken. According to food safety guidelines, it will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. After that point, bacterial growth can reach dangerous levels and make the chicken unsafe to eat. Even when refrigerated, rotisserie chicken from Costco should be discarded after 7 days.
Can I get food poisoning from 7-day old chicken?
Yes, you can absolutely get food poisoning from eating rotisserie chicken that is over 7 days old. As chicken sits in the fridge over time, bacteria multiplies to dangerous levels. Consuming old chicken can result in illness from salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, Campylobacter and other pathogens. Always throw away refrigerated chicken that is more than 4-5 days old.
How do you know if rotisserie chicken is bad?
Some common signs that rotisserie chicken has gone bad include:
- Slimy, sticky texture
- Dull, grey color
- Off odors
- Sour taste
However, pathogenic bacteria can grow on chicken without any noticeable changes. Don’t rely on sight, smell or taste alone to determine safety. Discard any leftovers after 3-4 days in the fridge or 7 days total after cooking.
Can you freeze and eat rotisserie chicken after 7 days?
Previously frozen rotisserie chicken that has been stored for over 7 days in the fridge should be thrown away. However, fresh rotisserie chicken that is less than 4 days old can safely be frozen for longer storage. Place it in freezer bags or airtight containers. Frozen chicken maintains quality and safety for 1-3 months at 0°F.
How do I know if refrigerated chicken has gone bad?
Signs that refrigerated chicken has gone bad include:
- Slimy texture and dull or grey color
- Strange odors, like sour, ammonia or rotten smell
- Off tastes that may taste sour or bitter
- Dry, tacky flesh
- Mold growth
But again, foodborne pathogens may be present even without any obvious signs of spoilage. Always toss refrigerated chicken after 3-4 days – don’t go by appearance, aroma or taste alone.
Can you get food poisoning from reheated chicken?
Yes, you can get food poisoning from reheated chicken. Reheating leftovers to 165°F kills bacteria but does not remove toxins that bacteria may have produced. If chicken has been left out too long before refrigerating or is older than 4 days when reheated, those toxins could make you sick. Reheating can make chicken safe – as long as it hasn’t already started growing dangerous levels of pathogens.
How many days is cooked chicken good in the fridge?
According to USDA food safety guidelines, cooked chicken leftovers are safe to eat for 3-4 days when properly stored in the refrigerator. For the highest quality, eat within 3 days. But chicken should always be discarded after sitting refrigerated for more than 4 days.
Key Takeaways
- Rotisserie chicken should be eaten within 3-4 days and discarded after 7 days in the fridge due to bacterial growth.
- Consuming chicken that’s over 7 days old risks foodborne illness from pathogens like salmonella.
- Look for signs of spoilage like odor, texture and appearance changes, but don’t rely on senses alone.
- Properly reheating to 165°F kills bacteria but doesn’t reverse quality loss or make old chicken safe to eat.
- For food safety, enjoy chicken within 3-4 days and throw away any leftovers over 7 days old.
Following proper storage methods and USDA guidance can prevent illness from eating spoiled rotisserie chicken. Refrigerate promptly, use within 3-4 days, and discard any leftovers after a week.
