Storing Chicken in Your Fridge: How To Keep It Fresh and Safe

Storing Chicken in Your Fridge: How To Keep It Fresh and Safe

Storing chicken the right way is crucial in protecting your health, preserving flavour, and preventing waste. Your refrigerator plays a critical role in keeping raw and cooked chicken safe to consume. Without stable cooling and the right compartments, sub-par appliances like mini fridges or ice boxes can quickly lead to spoilage, contamination, and serious food safety risks.

The solution? A reliable, high-performance refrigerator that keeps everything consistently cool and organised — like the Haier HRF-IT540AG(GL)U1, designed to make food storage smarter, safer, and stress-free.

How Long Can Chicken Stay Fresh in the Fridge? 

Knowing the right storage timelines is the first step toward safer meals:

• Raw chicken: 1–2 days 

• Cooked chicken: 3–4 days 

• Frozen chicken: Up to 12 months (for whole chicken) or 9 months (for chicken pieces) 

Keeping your chicken within these time frames ensures you enjoy safe and delicious meals without the risk of contamination. For comparison, cookie dough, which contains raw eggs, can last 2–4 days in the fridge when properly sealed, or up to 3 months in the freezer. With the right storage methods, both chicken and cookie dough can stay fresh longer without compromising taste or safety. 

Best Practices for Storing Chicken 

1. Keep It in the Coldest Part of the Fridge 

Temperature matters. Raw chicken must be stored at or below 4°C to slow down bacterial growth. For greater flexibility, the Magic Zone compartment in Haier HRF-IT540AG(GL)U1 lets you adjust the temperature between 5°C to -18°C, helping maintain your chicken’s freshness at its peak.

2. Seal It Tight

Cross-contamination is one of the biggest risks when storing raw meat. Use airtight containers or sealed plastic bags to prevent juices from dripping onto other foods. The spacious interior of Haier’s double door fridges makes it easy to store meats separately for total peace of mind — something that can be challenging to manage in a mini fridge.

3. Store It Low

Always place raw chicken on the bottom shelf to avoid drips contaminating other items. Haier’s multi-zone cooling system ensures even temperatures throughout the fridge, adding another layer of protection against bacterial growth.

4. Freeze for Longer Storage 

If you won’t be cooking within two days, freeze it. When it’s time to defrost your frozen chicken, avoid leaving it out in the open as this exposes it to insects and possible bacteria. Instead, place it in the fridge for at least 12 hours before you plan to use it. A frozen chicken defrosted in the fridge can last 1 to 2 days, but be sure not to leave it longer than that.

For best practice, consider using the Magic Zone compartment in Haier HRF-IT540AG(GL)U1 to avoid cross contamination with other food and fresh produce. It’s also ideal for storing chicken as the temperature of the compartment can be set anywhere between 5°C to -18°C, perfect for keeping your chicken fresher, longer. However, if you plan on keeping your chicken for longer than 2 days, it’s best to store it in the freezer.

Signs Your Chicken Has Gone Bad 

No matter how well you store it, raw chicken can’t last forever. Watch out for these signs of spoilage: 

• Unpleasant odour: Fresh chicken should have little to no smell. A sour or ammonia-like odour indicates spoilage. 

• Slimy texture: If the chicken feels sticky or slimy, it’s time to toss it out. 

• Colour changes: If the chicken turns grey or has green spots, it’s no longer safe to eat. 

A Smarter Way to Store Your Chicken (and Everything Else!) 

Not all refrigerators are built the same when it comes to food preservation. The Haier HRF-IT540AG(GL)U1 2-Door Refrigerator is designed to maintain optimal freshness for your chicken and other perishables, thanks to its advanced cooling technology and spacious storage solutions.

• Twin Inverter Technology

Ensures stable cooling with minimal temperature fluctuations, preventing premature spoilage.

• Magic Zone 

Helps retain moisture and freshness for longer, keeping chicken tender and safe for consumption.

• Large 540L Capacity 

Plenty of space to store raw and cooked chicken separately, preventing cross-contamination.

• Energy-Efficient Design

Reduces electricity consumption while maintaining powerful cooling performance.

From fresher meals to safer food handling, the right fridge makes all the difference. The Haier HRF-IT540AG(GL)U1 refrigerator offers the space, technology, and performance you need to confidently store chicken and other perishables — far beyond what a mini fridge or ice box can deliver.