Help!! how do you know when chicken is not fit to eat?

paidinchickens

I have two packs of two chicken breasts that were frozen last week on their use by date.

DH took them out to defrost but put them in the oven, not on out the way of the cats. They have been there last night and today. Its like a fridge in our kitchen as the heating still has not gone on.

One pack has no smell but the other has a slight aroma but only when your nose is right next to it.

How do you know when it is unfit to eat ( I am really funny about chicken at the best of times )

McKneff

I know lots of people are going to say 'I would eat it' but personally, Im funny about chicken too and wouldnt.

I'd cook it and give it to the cat though:D

ariba10

I would cook and eat them, but if you are really worried you will have to bin them.

pinkteapot

I'd probably eat them both to be honest. How nasty is the slight aroma from one pack?

I opened a pack of chicken breasts I had just bought once and the smell almost made me sick. Took them straight back to the supermarket. When chicken's off, it's usually fairly obvious smell-wise.

I usually defrost chicken for 24 hours in the fridge or leave it out if we want to eat it same day. If it's been cold in your kitchen I think the fact they've been left out will be fine.

Sally_A

Rinse them in water and white vinegar.

It's usually the defrosting liquids that smell a bit iffy rather than the meat itself.

I've done this for years (don't tell the family :cool:), and we are all still here to tell the tale.

paidinchickens

hi thanks for the quick reply I am in the middle of trying to get dinner started

it is only a very slight whiff while right next to it, DH can't smell anything at all but I am a tad like a canary down a mine when it comes to chicken.

If it is off would it be really pongy then??? I have googled but always a bad thing to do as it makes me panic more lol

I am deep frying kentucky style out of the takeaway secret book so would I be able to taste if it is off as it will be spicy?

PixieDust

What Sally A said Like eggs and milk...you'll know when it's "proper off" Just make sure you give that one to DH......

vax2002

Well 2 bits of chicken, DH says they are fine, one smells funny, DH disagrees, .
You have your answer...

spike7451

If it was off & you've defrosted it,it's not only smell off but it'd feel clammy & slimey as well.The juices tend to leech out with the defrosted water & this is the bit that'd go slimey.

his_missus

Usually if I'm unsure whether meat had gone off I test it (cooked of course) on the cats first. I'm sure I read somewhere cats won't eat food that has gone off... If they refuse to eat it, it's probably off. As one of my cats likes to eat dead birds, if he refuses something, it's probably inedible :rotfl: