Freezing leftover food is a great way to save time and reduce food waste. Meals like chicken and spaghetti are excellent candidates for freezing. With a few tips and tricks, you can safely freeze chicken and spaghetti for quick and easy meals down the road.
Can You Freeze Cooked Chicken?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze cooked chicken. Raw chicken has a shelf life of just 1-2 days in the fridge, but freezing gives cooked chicken a much longer shelf life. Properly frozen chicken will stay safe to eat for 9-12 months.
Freezing cooked chicken is convenient for assembling quick meals later on. Thaw a package of frozen chicken in the fridge overnight and you’ve got an easy protein ready for soups, salads, casseroles, wraps, and more. Here are some tips for freezing cooked chicken:
- Allow cooked chicken to cool completely before freezing. Divide into portions and place in freezer bags or airtight containers.
- Remove any bones, skin, or fat before freezing chicken. These don’t freeze well and can cause the chicken to spoil faster.
- Season plain cooked chicken lightly before freezing. The flavors will permeate the chicken as it freezes.
- Store frozen chicken towards the back of the freezer where the temperature is most consistent.
- Label packages with the type and date of freezing. Use within 9-12 months for best quality.
- Defrost frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight before using.
Can You Freeze Cooked Spaghetti?
Plain spaghetti noodles freeze very well. Simply cook the pasta, drain, rinse with cool water, and freeze in airtight bags or containers. The noodles will keep for 6-8 months in the freezer.
To use frozen spaghetti, run the noodles under warm water to thaw and separate. Then you can heat them up in sauces, casseroles, soups and more. Allow a little extra time for the thawed noodles to heat through before serving.
Freezing cooked spaghetti sauce also works well. Allow sauce to cool completely before freezing in bags or containers. Frozen sauce will keep for 2-3 months. Thaw sauce overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Can You Freeze Chicken and Spaghetti Together?
While you can freeze chicken and spaghetti noodles separately, freezing them together in a full meal prep is not recommended.
Pasta tends to get mushy when frozen and reheated. For best results, cook the pasta fresh when ready to assemble the full dish. Either thaw frozen chicken to add to the pasta, or use fresh cooked chicken.
If freezing a chicken and pasta casserole, it’s best to partially pre-cook the pasta first before assembling and freezing the whole dish. That way, the pasta won’t get overcooked when you reheat the frozen casserole.
How Long Does Frozen Chicken and Spaghetti Last?
Here are some guidelines for how long frozen chicken and spaghetti will last in the freezer:
| Food | Freezer Life |
|---|---|
| Cooked chicken (pieces or shreds) | 9-12 months |
| Cooked spaghetti noodles | 6-8 months |
| Cooked spaghetti sauce | 2-3 months |
| Chicken and pasta casserole | 3-4 months |
For best quality and safety, use frozen chicken, spaghetti, and sauces within the recommended time frames. Properly stored, they will maintain good flavor and texture for use in future recipes.
How to Freeze Chicken and Spaghetti
Follow these simple steps for freezing chicken and spaghetti:
Chicken
- Cool cooked chicken completely, about 2 hours.
- Portion chicken into freezer bags or airtight containers. Remove bones, skin, and fat.
- Season lightly with salt, pepper, herbs or spices (optional).
- Remove as much air as possible and seal bags/containers.
- Label with contents and freeze date.
- Freeze for up to 9-12 months.
Spaghetti Noodles
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse in cool water.
- Portion cooled noodles into freezer bags or airtight containers.
- Remove as much air as possible and seal bags/containers.
- Label with contents and freeze date.
- Freeze for up to 6-8 months.
Spaghetti Sauce
- Allow sauce to cool completely, about 2 hours.
- Portion into freezer bags or airtight containers.
- Remove as much air as possible and seal bags/containers.
- Label with contents and freeze date.
- Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
How to Thaw Frozen Chicken and Spaghetti
Always thaw frozen chicken, noodles, and sauce slowly and safely in the refrigerator. Here are some thawing guidelines:
- Chicken: Thaw overnight in the fridge in a sealed container. If in a hurry, place sealed chicken in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes until thawed.
- Spaghetti Noodles: Move frozen noodles to the fridge the night before needed. Or hold under warm running water until thawed and separated.
- Spaghetti Sauce: Thaw sauce overnight in the fridge in a sealed container.
Do not thaw foods at room temperature or in hot water. This allows bacteria to grow. Microwaving to thaw is also not recommended as it can cook chicken unevenly.
How to Use Thawed Chicken and Spaghetti
Once thawed, use chicken, noodles, and sauce in your favorite recipes. Here are some recipe ideas:
Chicken Recipes
- Chicken noodle soup
- Chicken pot pie
- Chicken tacos or burritos
- Chicken pasta casserole
- Chicken salad
- Chicken curry
Spaghetti Noodles and Sauce
- Spaghetti with meatballs
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Zucchini noodle spaghetti
- Lasagna
- Pasta salad
- Pasta primavera
Get creative with adding thawed chicken or spaghetti to all kinds of easy weeknight meals or batch cooking. Having them pre-made in the freezer cuts down prep time.
Tips for Freezing Chicken and Spaghetti
Follow these tips for best results freezing chicken and spaghetti:
- Make sure chicken, noodles, and sauce are completely cooled before freezing.
- Portion into freezer bags or airtight containers to remove air.
- Avoid freezing chicken and noodles together, as pasta becomes mushy.
- Undercook pasta slightly before freezing in a casserole dish.
- Use thawed chicken and spaghetti within 3-4 days for best quality.
- Don’t refreeze thawed chicken or spaghetti. Only refreeze if unused portions still contain ice crystals.
Conclusion
Freezing is a smart way to save leftovers like cooked chicken and spaghetti for later use. Chicken stays safe in the freezer for up to a year, while noodles and sauce will keep for 6-8 months. For best quality, portion ingredients into airtight bags or containers before freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator before assembling meals. With a little planning, frozen chicken and spaghetti make fast additions to all kinds of delicious family dinners.