Chicken Chili

If you've made a pot of homemade chicken chili, it can safely stay in the refrigerator for 3-4 days before it begins to spoil. After this, it may start to develop harmful bacteria that isn't safe to eat. If you're looking at the expiration date on a can of store-bought chili, it's usually safe to eat for 2-5 years past its printed expiration date, provided it hasn't been opened. However, once that can is opened, you should consume it within 3-4 days just like the homemade version. If you've decided to freeze your chili, you can push its shelf-life up to about 4-6 months.

If you're unsure whether your chicken chili has gone bad, you're going to want to check for a few things. First, give it a smell. Spoiled chili would give off an off-putting, sour, or rotten smell that’s different from the usual chili aroma. Secondly, take a good look at it. If it has mold or film on the surface, or if the color of the sauce has changed significantly, those could be indicators it's gone bad. Lastly, never taste test if you suspect it's spoiled. When in doubt, it’s always safer to throw it out.

• Always cool your chili before refrigerating or freezing it to avoid increasing the temperature of your fridge or freezer. • Use airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags to store your chili as this will keep out moisture and contaminants, reducing the risk of bacterial growth. • Divide the chili into individual servings before storing- that way you'll only reheat what you'll eat, eliminating the need for re-refrigerating or refreezing of food, which can lead to spoilage. • If you’re reheating frozen chili, the safest way to thaw it is in the refrigerator rather than leaving it out at room temperature.