How to Handle and Store Raw Chicken

Whether you want chicken fried, grilled, or baked; there are so many great chicken recipes that you can follow to make a wonderful and sumptuous meal. However, it is equally important to know how to handle and store raw chicken, as this can significantly affect the quality of the meat, and the dish.

The following tips cover everything from buying to storing chicken:
1. When buying raw chicken, make sure to get it just before you are about to check out of the store so that it is only exposed to unsafe temperatures for a short period of time. Make sure to place it in a separate bag to avoid contaminating any other foods. If you are transporting long distance, consider placing the chicken on ice in a cooler.

2. Fresh chicken can be stored in its original wrapper in the refrigerator for several days. Place the chicken in a baking dish or on a platter to catch any leakage. You should also make sure that it is kept at the coldest part of your refrigerator.

3. Make sure to keep it frozen to preserve its freshness especially if you don't plan to cook it right away. Frozen chicken will last for months in the freezer. Chicken should be stored in proper wrapping to avoid freezer burn.  If you don't plan to cook it within two months, it is recommended to transfer it to a plastic container with lid for storage and double-wrap it in freezer safe foil.

4. When handling raw chicken, you have to make sure that all the tools including the surface where you prepare your food are clean. Raw chicken has to be rinsed in water and dried with a paper towel before cooking. Don't forget to wash your hands before and after touching raw chicken to prevent contamination. You have to ensure to keep your hands and your working area clean before working with chicken. Keep in mind that you cannot see the bacteria on the chicken, so if you want to prevent contamination, be sure to observe proper cleanliness at all times. If you are working with other foods and meats while preparing chicken, make sure to use different utensils for each one.