Raw chicken is good in the fridge for 1 to 2 days , and cooked chicken is good for 3 to 4 days if your fridge is at 40°F (4°C) or below.

Quick Scoop

  • Raw chicken: cook or freeze within 1 to 2 days.
  • Cooked chicken: eat within 3 to 4 days.
  • If it smells sour, feels slimy, or looks off-color, toss it.
  • When in doubt, don’t taste-test it ; spoilage bacteria and foodborne illness risk can’t be judged safely by smell alone.

Simple rule

  • Bought raw chicken today? Plan to cook it within the next day or two.
  • Leftover roast or meal-prep chicken? Aim to finish it within four days.

Storage Tips

  • Keep chicken refrigerated promptly, ideally within 2 hours of purchase or cooking.
  • Store it in a sealed container on the bottom shelf so juices don’t drip onto other food.
  • If you won’t use it in time, freeze it while it’s still fresh.

Bottom line

For the fridge, raw chicken = 1–2 days , cooked chicken = 3–4 days.