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Question: How long can you leave marinated chicken in the refrigerator before it becomes unsafe to eat?
Answer: You can safely leave marinated chicken in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
But bear in mind that some marinade recipes are designed to work in a matter of hours -- not days. So while leaving chicken marinated for two days may be fine from a safety standpoint, the end result could be chicken with an undesirable texture or flavor. Be sure to check the recipe for recommended timing.
Keep marinated chicken covered while it’s in the refrigerator.
See Also:
Can You Safely Reuse Marinade?
Do You Have to Thaw Frozen Chicken Before Cooking It?
Is It Necessary to Rinse Raw Chicken Before Cooking It?
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Your Questions Answered
Steak that's changed color
I marinated a whole chicken and put it in the fridge for 5 days--can I still cook and eat it?
Cascabel♦
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asked Jan 14, 2013 at 21:53
3
Five refrigerated days is pushing well past the recommended boundaries--MeatSafety.org and FoodSafety.gov both recommend no more than 1-2 days.
The marinade would make no significant difference in the overall shelf life of the chicken. This applies even to acid or enzyme based marinades since the concentration and application is not uniformly controlled.
answered Jan 14, 2013 at 21:59
SAJ14SAJSAJ14SAJ
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Generally 5 days is too long, however it depends on the sell-by date of the chicken. If it was very fresh when you bought it any you marinaded it right away then it may be within its sell-by date in which case it may be safe to cook and eat. Make sure it passes the smell test after you wash it very thoroughly if you decide to give it a go.
Personally, I'd chuck it and get another one as I'd find it hard to enjoy a chicken that I suspected could potentially make my future short and painful.
answered Jan 15, 2013 at 13:04
GdDGdD
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