Chicken

How to Choose the Best

Most parts of the chicken can be eaten, including the breast, thighs, wings and drumsticks. Cooked chicken is sold whole, in parts, sliced or in strips. When selecting chicken products, it is most important to know what the recipe calls for. Look for chicken with smooth, creamy skin and no visible tears or bruises. There should be little or no liquid present, and the chicken product should smell clean and fresh with no rancid aroma.

Shelf Life and Storage

Store raw chicken in the refrigerator for up to five days. Cooked chicken products, including deli meats, should be consumed within seven days of cooking or purchase. When in doubt, refer to the expiration date printed on packaged products.

Freezing

Freeze any chicken that cannot be used immediately for up to three months. Thaw frozen poultry in the refrigerator overnight to safely defrost it.

Preparation Suggestions

Chicken is one of the most widely consumed meats in the world. Its mild flavor lends itself well to many culinary uses, and preparations vary between cuisines and cultures. Stuff fresh herbs, halved lemons and heads of garlic into the cavity for a more flavorful roasted chicken. Chicken legs and thighs are better suited for soups, stews and other recipes with long cooking times because, unlike breast meat, they remain moist and tender. Reserve the leftover carcass and bones from a roasted chicken to make homemade stock which can be frozen until needed for later use. Experiment with different marinades and spices to impart additional flavor.