Safe Refrigeration and Storage
To reduce risk and preserve your leftovers safely:
- Refrigerate immediately after cooking or serving — ideally within 2 hours (or sooner on hot days).
- Use airtight, shallow containers to help food cool faster and stay protected from contaminants.
- Store cooked chicken or poultry in the refrigerator for no more than 3 to 4 days.
- If you don’t plan to eat it within that time, freeze it. Freezing stops bacterial growth and extends the food’s life.
