Important conditions and shelf life of boiled chicken

Boiled chicken is a tasty and healthy product. When boiled, its calorie content is reduced and health harm is minimized compared to fried or smoked chicken dishes.

However, it should be borne in mind that storing boiled chicken meat has its own characteristics. Knowing them will help extend the shelf life of the product.

We’ll talk about the storage times and conditions of boiled chicken in the article.

How long can you store?

According to GOST and SanPiN recommendations, storage of boiled chicken products is possible only if the permissible periods are observed. It is important to take into account the organization of the place and conditions.

In a refrigerator

Up to 72 hours at a temperature not higher than 4-5°C Boiled chicken remains suitable in the refrigerator.

Chicken meat that has been boiled in soup with the addition of vegetables can be stored for no more than 48 hours. The shelf life of boiled chicken meat added to salads, snacks and sandwiches seasoned with mayonnaise is even shorter.

This component is a favorable environment for the proliferation of pathogenic microflora. Therefore, you can store such dishes even in the refrigerator for only a few hours.

In the freezer

Freezing boiled chicken provides the longest shelf life for the product. It is 3 months.

Compared to the refrigerator compartment, this is significantly more.

Disadvantage of freezing - the taste of the frozen product does not change for the better. The meat loses its tenderness and becomes less healthy.

At room temperature

As for the edibility of boiled chicken left at room conditions, the shelf life of the product is reduced to three hours. Ignoring the specified time limit becomes a prerequisite for serious poisoning.

How and where is it better to keep boiled meat?

The most reasonable solution: boil as much chicken meat as you can eat immediately after cooking it. After all, the shelf life without placing it in the refrigerator or freezer is only 3 hours.

Features of placement in the refrigerator

Here the boiled chicken will remain good for 2-3 days. However, before sending the meat to the refrigerator shelf you need to complete the following steps:

1. Pack the product in a container with a lid, use foil or parchment paper. This will prevent the pulp from drying out and prevent the absorption of foreign odors.
2. Place in a compartment or on a shelf where there are no dishes or products with a pungent odor.
3. After 3 days, it is recommended to fry the meat. This is necessary to destroy bacteria formed during long-term storage.
4. Boiled chicken in soup/broth can be stored for no more than 2 days in the refrigerator. Before serving, the dish must be brought to a boil. The appearance of foam is a sign of spoilage of meat and broth.

In the freezer

A more reliable way to store boiled chicken is to place it in the freezer.However, it should be borne in mind that when frozen, the product’s usefulness decreases and its taste changes.

Maximize the suitability of boiled chicken you can, following some recommendations for placing meat in the freezer:

• cut the meat into portions;
• wrap each in foil, cling film, or parchment paper;
• Place small pieces in a ziplock bag or container.

Chicken meat prepared in this way will retain its juiciness when frozen.

It is recommended to defrost boiled chicken gradually by placing the product on the refrigerator shelf. In the heat, the meat will lose its structural features and taste.

In what container?

The quality of preservation of boiled chicken depends on the type of container and packaging used. For this purpose the following are used:

• Ziploc bags that allow you to freeze small portions;
• plastic containers in which you can freeze chicken along with broth;
• glass containers, the use of which involves filling the container not to the brim;
• Vacuum packaging eliminates the penetration of air, due to which the products last longer;
• Cling film, parchment paper, and foil are also successfully used.

The use of plastic film and bags is only permissible for freezing chicken meat. Storing chicken in plastic packaging on the refrigerator shelf leads to rapid spoilage.

Are there differences in the shelf life for homemade and store-bought products?

Store-bought chicken lasts almost as long as homemade chicken provided the same conditions are provided.Lead times may be slightly longer for purchased products. This is due to the indication of the permissible shelf life of meat.

A farm product is less likely to contain the production date of the product. Therefore, its shelf life before cooking remains questionable. However, after boiling the chicken, its shelf life does not differ.

Adviсe

It is possible to ensure high-quality storage of boiled chicken by resorting to the advice of experienced housewives. Here are some of them:

1. You can extend the shelf life of chicken meat before cooking it by removing the flesh from the bones.
2. Soaking the chicken in water for a couple of hours before boiling will wash away the harmful additives.
3. It is recommended to use a separate shelf in the refrigerator to store boiled meat.
4. It is better to store meat in broth in a glass container with a lid.
5. Packaging and containers should be chosen that do not allow moisture to enter.
6. Thawed meat should not be re-frozen.

Compliance with these simple rules ensures long-term storage of the product. At the same time, its beneficial properties and taste are preserved.

Conclusion

Boiled chicken is a unique product. It is easily digestible and very beneficial for the body.. However, it can be ensured that it is suitable for human consumption only if the storage period is observed, taking into account the possibility of using suitable containers and packaging.

Proper organization of storage of boiled chicken will avoid the risk of serious food poisoning.