Freezing Chicken

Jacqu79

I'm sure this will have been posted before, but I've searched and can't find it, so apologies in advance.:o

I bought a chicken on 31st December with a use by date of 6th January, but I haven't used it yet. Would I be able to just freeze it now and use it at a later date? If this is possible, how long would I need to defrost it for before using it?

Thanks.

littleredhen

have you checked the packaging - they usually say freeze on the day of purchase - if it were me i would cook it and then freeze it - other opinions may vary

lcharm

I agree with littleredhen, especially considering it is a poultry product. At least this way you can open it and give it a good sniff before you cook it to see if it's spoiled in any way.

In fact if it was me i'd chuck it, wasteful I know but better than spending 2 days in/on the toilet!

heavenleigh

Personally i dont see it being any different from buying a yellow stickered chicken with a use by on that day and freezing it, i have done that plenty of times and not poisoned anyone, it's personal preference i suppose but i would freeze it, or do as other posters have said and cook then freeze if you prefer x

Jacqu79

thanks for the replies.

I'll cook it just now if it smells ok then freeze it.

Thanks again.:money:

kippers

heavenleigh wrote: »

Personally i dont see it being any different from buying a yellow stickered chicken with a use by on that day and freezing it, i have done that plenty of times and not poisoned anyone, it's personal preference i suppose but i would freeze it, or do as other posters have said and cook then freeze if you prefer x

Thats what i would do too but i'd make sure i would cook it as soon as it's defrosted

esio_trot

heavenleigh wrote: »

Personally i dont see it being any different from buying a yellow stickered chicken with a use by on that day and freezing it, i have done that plenty of times and not poisoned anyone, it's personal preference i suppose but i would freeze it, or do as other posters have said and cook then freeze if you prefer x

that's my usual trick (in fact, got chicken fillets dated 5th from my sainsburys delivery on the 4th and only remembered to freeze them yesterday). Though I do tend to note on it that it was short dated and that way I can make sure it's really really cooked, i.e. in a stew, pie, curry whatever. Not sure it's necessary but I suppose we've all got our levels

heavenleigh

esio_trot wrote: »

that's my usual trick (in fact, got chicken fillets dated 5th from my sainsburys delivery on the 4th and only remembered to freeze them yesterday). Though I do tend to note on it that it was short dated and that way I can make sure it's really really cooked, i.e. in a stew, pie, curry whatever. Not sure it's necessary but I suppose we've all got our levels

I don't get my food delivered, tesco is at the end of my street but if i did and something like chicken came with a use by for the next day i would be ringing up and complaining!