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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? About Our Authors Have a question? Click here More Questions
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Your Questions AnsweredSteak that's changed color Is it OK to marinate chicken for 3 days?You can keep marinated chicken for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. The cool environment inside can slow down the proliferation rate of bacteria and germs. After 3 days, your chicken is no longer usable.
Is raw chicken OK in the fridge for 5 days?According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), raw chicken can be kept in your fridge approximately 1–2 days. The same applies to raw turkey and other poultry (1). Meanwhile, cooked chicken can last in the refrigerator approximately 3–4 days (1).
Is it OK to marinate chicken for a week?There's a food-safety reason to avoid letting meat over-marinate as well: According to Federal Food Safety guidelines, raw chicken should only be stored in the refrigerator for one to two days (pork and beef are safe a little longer). After this, dangerous amounts of bacteria can grow, and you risk getting sick.
What happens if you marinate chicken too long?A marinade's ingredients also factor into what will happen if you leave the chicken marinating for too long. "Anything acidic could essentially cook the meat and break down the proteins within the meat," advises Danila. "This makes it mushy-tasting, and it would ruin the meat before you make it!"
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