Once you get that bird home, you’ll want to make sure you prepare it correctly for your recipes, whether you’ve bought fresh or frozen. There are a few things you want to get right about seasoning, cooking temperature, and moisture-sealing tricks.
Don’t forget to check the sell-by date on your chicken for proper storage. Chicken that has been refrigerated is still good for 1 -2 days after that date if the temperature is 40° or below. Do try a small sniff test to be sure. If your raw chicken emits a pungent odor after you open it, consider that it may have gone bad.