How long does canned chicken last?
In the fridge, canned chicken keeps for 3 to 4 days after opening. In the pantry, it keeps for 5 years from the package date. Once opened, use it within 3 to 4 days.
5 years
from the package date
3 to 4 days
after opening
3 to 4 days
in the fridge unless noted
Does canned chicken go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, canned chicken may still be safe for a short while but quality drops and spoilage signs start. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
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.
How long do other poultry: shelf stable foods last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.