The 6 Most-Googled Questions On Cooking With Chicken, Answered

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How long does raw chicken last in the fridge? At what temperature is chicken done cooking? How long does it take to bake chicken thighs? These questions are just a peek into what my Google searches look like anytime I mentally prepare myself to cook chicken.

Regardless of your culinary experience, there will always be questions that you need to double check when it comes to safe and efficient cooking. I’ve especially found this true for anything that has to do with cooking with chicken.

And I’m not alone, according to Google, some of the most asked cooking questions are all about chicken. To address these many longstanding concerns and inquiries, we’ve compiled answers to some of the internet’s most asked questions about cooking with chicken to keep in mind before your next dinner.

How Long Does Raw Chicken Last In the Fridge?

According to Foodsafety.gov, raw chicken lasts anywhere between one to two days in the fridge. If you have raw chicken in the fridge you should ideally cook and eat it as soon as possible. But if you’re waiting to cook it, you can store it in the freezer for up to nine months.

How Long Does Cooked Chicken Last In the Fridge?

Now if your chicken is fully cooked (steamed, roasted, or fried), it can last up to three to four days in the refrigerator if properly stored in an airtight container. That being said, if you notice any changes in smell or texture, avoid eating it as it may have been spoiled and can cause food poisoning.

At What Temperature Is Chicken Done Cooking?

One of the most important food safety precautions to take when handling chicken is ensuring that it is cooked to the proper temperature. Chicken is considered done (and safe) at 165 degrees F. This goes for the entire whole bird including chicken breasts, legs, thighs, wings, and ground poultry.

How Long Does It Take to Bake Chicken Thighs?

With how many cooking possibilities there are to bake chicken thighs, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Chicken thighs can be baked at various temperatures for varying times, but according to our top-rated Easy Baked Chicken Thighs recipe, it takes chicken thighs roughly half an hour at 375 degrees F to be done cooking.

That being said, if you want a juicier chicken, they can be cooked at 350 degrees F for roughly 40 to 50 minutes. And if you’re looking for something quicker, chicken thighs can be cooked in the oven at 400 degrees F for roughly 25 minutes.

How Much Protein Is In Chicken?

Chicken is one of the most popular and easy ways to get protein into your diet. And although there are rough estimates on the nutritional makeup of chicken as they vary in size, weight, and body composition, 4 ounces of chicken can contain anywhere from 21 grams of protein to 28, depending on the cut.

How to Tell if Chicken Has Gone Bad

Just as it's important to make sure that you’re cooking your chicken at the correct temperatures, it’s equally important to be preparing and eating fresh chicken to avoid food poisoning. The first step to knowing whether or not your chicken has gone bad is checking its best-by date. If it is beyond it—and has not been frozen before this date—it has gone bad.

Other signifiers to check if your chicken is safe to eat include: smell, texture, and color. Raw and freshly cooked chicken shouldn’t have much of a smell, so if it smells slightly foul or pungent, throw it away immediately. Raw chicken has a soft texture and cooked chicken should be firm to the touch. If you’re noticing that your chicken has become slimy, mushy, or sticky, throw it away because it has gone bad. And lastly, chicken that has gone bad may turn slightly yellow or gray in certain areas, if you’re noticing that is the case for your chicken, throw it away immediately.  

Read the original article on All Recipes.