You can tell if chicken is bad by checking several key signs related to its smell, color, texture, and expiration date:
- Smell: Fresh raw chicken has little to no smell. If it emits a strong, sour, fishy, or sulfur-like odor (similar to rotten eggs), it is spoiled and should be discarded
- Color: Fresh chicken is usually light pink with white fat. Spoiled chicken may turn grayish, yellowish, greenish, or have dark spots or mold
- Texture: Fresh chicken feels moist and slightly soft but not slimy or sticky. If it feels slimy, sticky, or tacky even after rinsing and drying, it has gone bad
- Expiration Date: Check the "use by" or "best by" date on the package. Raw chicken is generally safe to use up to 1-2 days past this date if stored properly, but beyond that, rely on sensory signs to judge spoilage
- Other Signs: If pressing the chicken leaves an imprint or the meat feels mushy and loses elasticity, it is likely spoiled
Consuming spoiled chicken risks food poisoning from bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can cause severe symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and more serious infections
. Always discard chicken if you suspect it is bad. In summary, if chicken smells foul, looks discolored, feels slimy, or is past its expiration date, it should not be eaten
