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Storage and Thawing Guidelines

Here's some handy information about storing and thawing chicken.

Cold Storage of Chicken

Refrigerator (4°C or 40°F)

Whole chicken 

2-3 days

Chicken pieces 

2-3 days

Cooked chicken

3-4 days

Ground chicken 

1-2 days

Freezer (-18º or 0°F)

Whole chicken  

12 months

Chicken pieces

6 months

Cooked chicken

3 months

Ground chicken

3 months

Thawing methods and times:

Wrapped, in refrigerator

10 hours per kilogram
(5 hours per pound)

Wrapped, in several changes of cold water

2 hours per kilogram
(1 hour per pound)

Microwave, defrost*

10-15 minutes per kilogram
(or according to microwave
guidelines - 5 minutes per pound) 

*When defrosting in microwave, chicken should be loosely covered and pieces turned, separated and rotated several times during thawing to ensure even penetration.

Note: Cook thawed chicken within 48 hours.

Chicken Farmers of Canada: 350 Sparks Street, Suite 1007, Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7S8 Tel: (613) 241-2800 Fax: (613) 241-5999 Email: cfc@chicken.ca