Can You Freeze Raw Chicken?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against USDA FoodKeeper · Last updated 28 October 2026
Yes, you can freeze raw chicken. Best quality within 12 months; it stays safe beyond that at a constant -18°C.
What freezing does to raw chicken
Raw poultry freezes very well, and a whole bird has the longest window of any meat on the site (12 months in the FoodKeeper data), while cut-up parts are listed shorter. Freezing stops bacterial growth but does not kill the salmonella and campylobacter that raw poultry can carry, so safe defrosting and thorough cooking still matter once it comes out. FoodKeeper gives raw chicken a best-quality freezer window of 12 months. For comparison, the same database gives raw mince 3–4 months, raw steak 4–12 months, cooked chicken 4 months.
You can also check the calorie content of raw chicken alongside its safety information.
Defrosting and refreezing: the part people actually search for
| Question | What the sources say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| How to defrost | In the fridge at 5°C or lower; it 'can take 24 hours or longer'. Never at room temperature. Microwave defrost only if cooking straight away; check no ice crystals remain | Which? (15 Sep 2026), quoting the FSA and NHS |
| Cook from frozen? | 'The FSA strongly advises against cooking raw chicken from frozen' because it can cook unevenly. Nuggets, burgers and similar products designed for it are the exception, so follow the pack | Which? (15 Sep 2026) |
| Refreeze raw chicken thawed at home? | FSA: its usual advice is not to refreeze raw meat thawed at home, because home freezers are less efficient than industry equipment and refreezing 'could allow the growth of harmful germs' | FSA news item on defrosted poultry (England and Wales) |
| Refreeze if thawed in the fridge? | US view: raw chicken can be refrozen within 2 days of thawing if it was thawed in the fridge | Healthline, citing USDA (updated 15 Oct 2026) |
| Refreeze after cooking? | Yes: 'you can freeze food again once cooked, but you'll only be able to reheat it once after that' | FSA |
The UK and US advice differ. Our approach is to follow the FSA: cook it, then freeze the cooked chicken if you have defrosted too much. Do not refreeze chicken that was thawed in cold water, the microwave or on the counter.
How to freeze it so it thaws well
- Freeze it fresh. The FSA says you can freeze food right up to midnight on the use-by date.
- Portion first. Freeze in the amounts you will cook, since a part-used block is the main reason people want to refreeze.
- Keep raw chicken separate. Freeze in a sealed bag or container so juices cannot reach other food.
- Label with the date. The FoodKeeper window on this page is for quality; at a constant -18°C the food stays safe.
After thawing
Cook chicken until it is piping hot throughout; Which? gives 75°C (165°F) in the middle on a meat thermometer. Do not wash raw chicken first, because water droplets can spread bacteria onto surfaces (Which?).
Sources checked
Everything in the sections above was checked against these pages on 28 October 2026.
- Food Standards Agency: How to chill, freeze and defrost food safely — freeze up to the use-by date; defrost in the fridge; cooked food refrozen can be reheated once (published 18 December 2017)
- Food Standards Agency news item on chilled poultry that has been frozen and defrosted (updated 25 November 2022) — usual advice not to refreeze raw meat thawed at home; reason
- Which?: 5 foods you should never cook straight from frozen (15 September 2026) — FSA advice against cooking from frozen; fridge defrost 5°C or lower; 75°C; do not wash chicken
- Healthline: Can you refreeze chicken? (updated 15 October 2026) — rival (US): refreeze raw chicken within 2 days if thawed in fridge
- USDA FSIS: Freezing and Food Safety — USDA FSIS freezing background
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Raw Chicken next to similar foods
| Food | Freezer window |
|---|---|
| Cooked Chicken | 4 months |
| Fried Chicken | 4 months |
| Raw Chicken Breasts | 9 months |
| Raw Chicken | 12 months |
| Whole Turkey | 12 months |
Of the 8 poultry foods in the freezing guide, raw Chicken has a best-quality window that is longer than 6 and equal to 1.
Raw Chicken: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| In the fridge | 1–2 days in the fridge |
| Left out overnight | No — throw it away (limit about 2 h) |
| Past the date on the label | No — use-by means use by |
Common questions
Can you refreeze raw chicken that has been defrosted?
The FSA's usual advice is not to refreeze raw meat thawed at home. US guidance cited by Healthline allows it within 2 days if the chicken was thawed in the fridge. We follow the FSA; cooking it first and freezing the cooked chicken is allowed.
Can you cook chicken from frozen?
The FSA strongly advises against cooking raw chicken from frozen because it can cook unevenly (Which?). Products designed for it, such as nuggets, are the exception.
How do you defrost chicken safely?
In the fridge at 5°C or lower, which can take 24 hours or longer. Never at room temperature. Use the microwave defrost setting only if you will cook it straight away.
Does freezing kill bacteria in raw chicken?
No. Freezing stops bacteria growing, but the salmonella and campylobacter that raw chicken can carry are still there once it thaws, so cook it thoroughly.
Can I freeze chicken on its use-by date?
Yes. The FSA says you can freeze food up to midnight on the use-by date.
Related answers
Primary source: USDA FoodKeeper.
General information only, not medical advice: see the medical disclaimer. Feeling unwell after eating something? Contact NHS 111 or your GP.