Chicken fingers, also known as chicken tenders, are a popular food item made of chicken meat that is breaded or battered and then deep fried. Many people enjoy eating chicken fingers for meals, snacks, or as an appetizer.
However, like any perishable food, chicken fingers have a limited shelf life. Bacteria can grow quickly on chicken fingers after they are cooked, so proper storage and handling is important. Eating week old chicken fingers that have been improperly stored could result in foodborne illness.
So can you eat chicken fingers that are a week old? Whether or not week old chicken fingers are safe to eat depends on several factors.
How Long Do Chicken Fingers Last?
Freshly cooked chicken fingers will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator when stored properly. The shelf life depends on factors such as:
- Refrigerator temperature: Chicken fingers should be stored at 40°F or below. Higher refrigerator temps allow faster bacteria growth.
- Container sealing: Chicken fingers that are tightly wrapped or sealed in an airtight container will last longer. Exposure to air causes faster spoilage.
- Cooking method: Deep frying seals in moisture and preserves chicken fingers longer than other cooking methods like baking.
- Ingredients: Heavily breaded chicken fingers may have a slightly shorter shelf life. The breading holds in moisture and allows bacteria growth.
In general, for maximum freshness and food safety, chicken fingers are best when eaten within 3-4 days after cooking. After a week in the fridge, they are past their prime.
How to Tell If Week Old Chicken Fingers Are Bad
Because chicken fingers can look and smell fine even when spoiled, the only ways to truly determine if they are safe are by:
- Observing the sell-by or use-by date printed on the packaging
- Checking for visible mold growth
- Noting if the texture has changed, such as very slimy chicken
Here are signs that week old chicken fingers have spoiled and should be thrown out:
Bad Smell
Fresh chicken fingers have a mild smell when raw and typically no smell after cooking. Chicken fingers that have an unpleasant, foul odor are unsafe to eat.
Slimy Texture
The chicken meat should not feel overly sticky, slimy, or tacky. A slippery texture indicates bacteria growth.
Discoloration
Look for grayish tones or dull, darker meat. When in doubt, throw it out.
Mold
Any fuzzy or slimy mold spots, regardless of color, make chicken fingers too risky to eat. Mold can spread beyond visible areas.
Can You Get Sick from Eating Week Old Chicken Fingers?
Eating spoiled, week old chicken fingers can certainly make you sick. Here are some of the common foodborne pathogens that can grow on chicken fingers:
Salmonella
One of the most common causes of food poisoning, Salmonella infection causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. It usually develops 12-72 hours after eating contaminated chicken fingers.
Campylobacter
This bacteria leads to symptoms like diarrhea, cramping, stomach pain, and fever within 2-5 days after exposure. It spreads through undercooked chicken.
Clostridium perfringens
In some cases, this dangerous bacterium can flourish when chicken fingers or other proteins are improperly reheated. It causes abdominal cramps and diarrhea within 6-24 hours.
Staphylococcus aureus
Sometimes called “staph”, this bacteria results in fast symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea within just 1-6 hours after eating contaminated food.
Listeria monocytogenes
Listeria infection tends to be more serious than other foodborne illnesses. It causes fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea, mainly in those with compromised immune systems, the elderly, and pregnant women.
So while a mild stomach ache is possible, eating spoiled chicken fingers puts you at risk for much more concerning food poisoning symptoms. When in doubt, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
How to Safely Reheat Chicken Fingers
Instead of eating week old chicken fingers, the safer option is to properly store them for maximum freshness and reheat only what you plan to immediately eat. Here are some tips for safely reheating chicken fingers:
Use the Oven or Toaster Oven
Set the oven to 350°F and place your chicken fingers on a baking sheet or pan in a single layer. Heat for 10-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The oven allows even, thorough reheating.
Use the Microwave
Microwave in 30 second intervals until hot, checking the temperature in a few spots with a food thermometer. Rotate the dish and stir between intervals so they heat evenly.
Use the Stovetop
Place chicken fingers in a skillet with 1-2 tbsp oil or butter over medium heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until hot all the way through. Don’t crowd the pan so they cook properly.
Air Fry
Air fryers make quick work of reheating fried foods like chicken fingers. Cook at 350°F for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. The strips come out hot and crispy.
Do Not Re-Freeze
Once thawed, chicken fingers should not be re-frozen and reheated again. Freezing and thawing chicken fingers multiple times allows harmful bacteria to multiply.
How to Store Chicken Fingers Safely
To get the longest shelf life out of cooked chicken fingers, proper storage is a must:
- Refrigerate in covered container or resealable plastic bag
- Store chicken fingers on lower shelf away from fresh produce
- Discard after 3-4 days
- Label container with date cooked or freeze date
- Divide into smaller portions to limit repeated openings
- Don’t store at room temperature more than 2 hours
Make sure your refrigerator is set to 40°F or below. You can use an appliance thermometer inside the fridge to monitor the temperature.
Can You Freeze Chicken Fingers?
Freezing is an excellent way to safely extend the shelf life of cooked chicken fingers, allowing you to enjoy them again at a later date. Here are some freezing tips:
- Cool chicken fingers completely before freezing
- Place strips in single layer on baking sheet and freeze until solid
- Transfer frozen fingers to resealable plastic freezer bags
- Get as much air out of bags as possible and seal tightly
- Label bags with contents and freeze date
- Use frozen chicken fingers within 2-3 months for best quality
Frozen chicken fingers will last for 4-6 months in a freezer at 0°F or below before drying out or losing flavor, though they remain safe indefinitely while frozen.
Conclusion
Chicken fingers that are a week old should generally be discarded instead of taking the chance of getting sick from eating spoiled food. With proper refrigeration, freshly cooked chicken fingers stay good for 3-4 days.
Check chicken fingers carefully for foul odors, slimy texture, or mold before eating. The safest approach is stick to consuming them within 3-4 days or carefully reheat refrigerated chicken fingers within that timeframe. Follow guidelines for safe freezing and reheating if you have leftovers.
Using good food safety practices when handling, storing, and reheating chicken fingers lets you enjoy this tasty food safely and prevents foodborne illness. Trust your eyes, nose, common sense, and follow storage times to determine if your chicken fingers are still fresh enough to eat.