Food & Kitchen
How long does cooked chicken last in the fridge?
Estimated wait
~4 days
Based on published sources
Timeline guide
- Faster cases~3 days
- Average cases~4 days
- Slower casesUp to 4 days
Smell and appearance are NOT a safety test — bacteria like Listeria grow without any spoilage signs. And the 3–4-day window only applies if the chicken went into the fridge within 2 hours of cooking.
Cooked chicken keeps for 3–4 days in the fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or below — the official figure from both FoodSafety.gov and the USDA. Freezing extends that to 2–6 months for best quality; frozen food kept at −18 °C stays safe indefinitely, only quality declines.
More details
The clock starts only if the chicken was refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking (1 hour in hot weather). Reheat leftovers to 74 °C / 165 °F.
Last updated: 4 Jul 2026
Information is for general knowledge only.