How long butter chicken last in the fridge? (Main factors)

In this article, we will answer the question “How long butter chicken last in the fridge?”, and how to freeze butter chicken?

How long butter chicken last in the fridge?

It is recommended to consume cooked chicken, like butter chicken, within three to four days when stored in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C). Despite refrigeration slowing bacterial growth, it doesn’t halt it entirely. Spoilage bacteria can still multiply in cold temperatures found in the refrigerator, resulting in unpleasant tastes and odors in the food.

It’s important to note that certain harmful bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) thrive in cold environments. If present, these bacteria can continue growing in the refrigerator and potentially cause illness. Microbial spoilage can arise from various sources, including bacteria, molds, and yeast. (1)

What factors affect the shelf life of butter chicken?

The degradation of butter chicken is the outcome of a complex interplay between physical, chemical, and biological factors. These factors encompass a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeast, and mold, along with the influence of naturally occurring meat enzymes like lipases and proteases.

Chemical reactions occurring within the chicken, such as oxidation, as well as physical transformations resulting from processes, all collectively contribute to the overall spoilage process. Among these factors, microorganisms take center stage as the primary catalyst for the deterioration in the quality of cooked chicken.

These spoilage microorganisms play a pivotal role in breaking down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins present in the meat. This breakdown leads to the emergence of undesirable flavors and alterations in color, ultimately making the chicken unfit for consumption. Consequently, even a well-prepared butter chicken can become unappetizing due to these contributing factors. (2)

What happens if you don’t put butter chicken in the fridge?

Allowing food to sit at room temperature for extended periods creates an optimal environment for the proliferation of harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Enteritidis,  and Campylobacter to flourish, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses.

These bacteria reproduce most rapidly within a temperature range of 40 °F to 140 °F (4°C to 60°C), referred to as the “Danger Zone.”, their populations can double in as little as 20 minutes within this temperature range. Incorrectly cooling cooked foods is a significant contributor to foodborne illnesses because bacteria can make a comeback after safe cooking.

To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to promptly transfer leftover food into shallow containers for rapid cooling and then refrigerate it at or below 40 °F within two hours. Swiftly refrigerating warm butter chicken reduces the time it spends in the ‘Danger Zone,’ thereby minimizing the risk of bacterial growth. (3)

What happens if you eat contaminated butter chicken?

Consuming chicken contaminated with harmful bacteria can lead to foodborne illnesses and food poisoning. When infected with Salmonella, most individuals typically develop symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. In the case of a Campylobacter infection, people often experience diarrhea, which may occasionally be bloody, along with fever and stomach cramps.

Nausea and vomiting may also accompany the diarrhea. These symptoms typically become evident within two to five days after infection and usually last for about one week. They generally appear within a timeframe ranging from six hours to six days after infection and persist for a duration of four to seven days. (4-6)

How to avoid foodborne illness?

To ensure that butter chicken is safe for consumption, raw chicken should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) or higher, maintaining this temperature for at least 15 seconds. It’s worth noting that butter chicken typically uses smaller chicken pieces and is cooked within a sauce, which reduces the likelihood of undercooking.

Furthermore, if the butter chicken is hot and won’t be consumed in two hours, it should be divided into multiple portions and stored in shallow, covered containers in the refrigerator. These portions should be consumed in 3 to 4 days, whether served cold or reheated to 165°F (74°C). Additionally, it’s safe to freeze prepared butter chicken for up to 4 months. (7)

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the question “How long does butter chicken last in the fridge?”, and how to freeze butter chicken?

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References

1.-

U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://ask.usda.gov/ Website. Washington, DC. How long can you keep cooked chicken? 2023.

2.-

Pellissery, A. J., Vinayamohan, P. G., Amalaradjou, M. A. R., & Venkitanarayanan, K.  Spoilage bacteria and meat quality. Meat Quality Analysis, 307–334. 2020.

3.-

U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety Website. Washington, DC. “Danger Zone” (40 °F – 140 °F). 2016.

4.-

ROUGER, Amélie; TRESSE, Odile; ZAGOREC, Monique. Bacterial contaminants of poultry meat: sources, species, and dynamics. Microorganisms, v. 5, n. 3, p. 50, 2017.

5.-

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. Campylobacter (Campylobacteriosis). 2021.

6.-

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. Salmonella. 2023.

7.-

U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety Website. Washington, DC. Chicken from Farm to Table. 2019.