How to store canned chicken
Best place: the pantry until opened, then the fridge. Unopened, canned chicken keeps for 5 years in the pantry. Once opened, the fridge gives 3 to 4 days.
5 years
from the package date
3 to 4 days
after opening
No guideline
How to tell canned chicken has gone bad
General signs for poultry: shelf stable foods, the group USDA lists canned chicken under.
- Bulging, dented or leaking cans or pouches
- Hissing sound or spurting liquid when opening
- Off or sour smell that was not there in a fresh can
- Unusual grey or greenish tinge to the meat
- Mould or slime appearing after the container has been opened
More on poultry: shelf stable foods. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
Storage habits that make the difference
Store unopened cans and pouches in a cool, dry pantry away from sunlight and heat. After opening, transfer leftovers to a covered container, refrigerate promptly, and use within a few days. Check cans for damage before buying and again before opening, since dented cans can still be a problem.
How to store other poultry: shelf stable foods
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.