Defrosted chicken can stay in the refrigerator for one to two days at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Frozen whole chicken can stay in the freezer for up to one year, and frozen pieces are safe for up to nine months.
If chicken has not been frozen or it has been defrosted in the refrigerator, keeping it one to two days in the refrigerator is safe. After that time, bacteria begins to grow. Microwave-defrosted chicken, however, requires immediate cooking and should be stored in the refrigerator. Uncooked chicken must never sit out at room temperatures because bacteria grows easily in the meat under those conditions. Leftover cooked chicken can be refrigerated for three to four days.
