At home, we love eating food with chicken as the main ingredient. But there are times when there’s too much of it and I don’t know what to do with the leftovers. I just want to ask if I can preserve it for the next few days by putting it in the freezer. If so, this would help me save the leftovers from becoming food waste.
It’s important to understand how we can avoid wasting food in our homes. By keeping track of the use-by dates, more households can help reduce food waste every year. And, freezing is the most common way to preserve excess food in our everyday meals.
So can you freeze cooked chicken? Of course! In fact, there are simple steps to follow in keeping it frozen in several weeks. And with additional tips in safely freezing your food before it expires, you can save up from your daily food budget. Now, this is a concrete way of saving cooked chicken leftovers at home.
Can You Freeze Cooked Chicken?
While cooked chicken leftovers can be frozen, their fresh flavor and texture may be degraded due to freezer burn or ice crystals.
When the cooked chicken thaws out, its temperature will rise so the water becomes present. This allows the germs to grow and multiply.
Defrosting the food should be slow. After removing it from the freezer, put it in the refrigerator to allow safe thawing overnight.
The chicken should be wrapped firmly and placed in an airtight container to ensure the protection of texture and flavor throughout the refrigeration period.
Most food can last up to 6 months in the freezer, but cooked food should only be kept for a few weeks as it may deteriorate and produce off-flavors.
Once the cooked chicken is frozen, thawed out, and reheated, it should be consumed immediately. It’s not advisable to put it back in the freezer and reheat it again.
How to Freeze Cooked Chicken?
In order to safely freeze your cooked chicken, you will need plastic wrap and a storage bag. After securing the materials for storage, follow the steps provided below to ensure food quality, flavor, and texture in its fresh state:
- Tightly wrap the cooked chicken using plastic wrap.
- Place it inside the storage/freezer bag.
- Press the freezer bag down to remove air content and then seal it properly.
- Put the wrapped chicken in the coldest side of the freezer to allow maximum frosting.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Cooked Chicken?
Cooked chicken is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. But what do you do when you have extra cooked chicken? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover cooked chicken:
- Make a soup – Chicken soup is a comforting and hearty meal that can be made easily using leftover cooked chicken. Just add the chicken to a pot of broth with some vegetables, and you’ll have a delicious soup in no time.
- Make a sandwich – A simple sandwich can be transformed into a tasty meal by adding some leftover cooked chicken. Just add the chicken to your favorite bread, along with some condiments and veggies, and you’re good to go.
- Make a salad – Leftover cooked chicken can also be used to make a delicious salad. Just add the chicken to your favorite greens, along with some fruits and nuts, and you’ll have a healthy and tasty salad in no time.
- Make a casserole – Casseroles are a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken. Just add the chicken to your favorite casserole recipe, and you’ll have a tasty dish that everyone will love.
- Make chicken nuggets – Chicken nuggets are a fun and easy way to use up leftover cooked chicken. Just cut the chicken into small pieces, coat in bread crumbs, and fry until golden brown. You can even dip them in your favorite sauce for an extra bit of flavor.
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover cooked chicken. Next time you find yourself with extra chicken, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Cooked Chicken Recipes
Many food enthusiasts love Honey Garlic Chicken because of its rich garlicky flavor cooked in silky sauce and honey. It’s simple yet satisfying.
It may be common to find Boneless Chicken Breasts in local restaurants but the flavor and texture it offers is more than fulfilling. It turns an ordinary meal into something special every time this food is served.
Served with garlic gravy and creamy onion on top, the Southern Smothered Chicken with Gravy is indeed a must-try for those who want tender chicken with extra juicy flavor.
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze cooked chicken. If done properly, the frozen chicken will last for 2-3 months in the freezer. Follow these steps when freezing cooked chicken: allow the meat to cool down completely before placing it in an air-tight container or freezer bag, put the chicken in the freezer, date it, and store it properly.
Let me know your experience with freezing cooked chicken or if you have any additional questions
