Frozen chicken, when continuously kept at 0°F (-18°C) or below, is safe to eat indefinitely. However, the quality of the chicken, including its taste and texture, may degrade over time due to freezer burn.
For best quality, the USDA recommends freezing times of:
Whole chicken: Up to one year
Chicken pieces: Up to nine months
Ground chicken: Up to three to four months
Cooked chicken: Up to four months
Casseroles or pieces with broth/gravy: Up to six months
Factors affecting how long frozen chicken lasts:
Packaging:
Properly wrapped chicken in airtight containers or freezer bags will last longer than chicken wrapped in porous store packaging.
Temperature:
Maintaining a consistent freezer temperature is crucial for preventing freezer burn.
Freezer burn:
This can affect the taste and texture of chicken over time, but it doesn’t make the chicken unsafe to eat.
Use by date:
It’s important to use chicken before its use by date, even if frozen, according to Pak n Save.
In summary: While frozen chicken is safe indefinitely, its quality will degrade over time. For best results, follow USDA guidelines, use proper packaging, and ensure your freezer maintains a consistent temperature.