Poultry
How long do chicken thighs last in the fridge?
Chicken legs and thighs keep 1–2 days in the fridge — dark meat hides its age better than breast does, so go by the day you bought it, not the look.
How long does it keep?
| Fridge, from purchase | 1–2 days |
|---|---|
| Freezer, from purchase | 9 months |
| Safe minimum temp | 165°F |
Can it sit out?
Chicken thighs is perishable — the FSIS 2-hour rule applies.
Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown out — 1 hour if it’s 90°F or hotter (a picnic, a hot car, a summer kitchen).
How to tell if chicken thighs has gone bad
- A sour, barnyard smell out of the packet
- Skin that clings tackily to your fingers
- Gray-brown patches showing under the skin
When in doubt, throw it out.
Thighs need 165°F like everything else but are forgiving past it — the extra few minutes render the fat instead of drying them out.
Quick answers
How long do chicken thighs last in the fridge?
Chicken legs and thighs keep 1–2 days in the fridge — dark meat hides its age better than breast does, so go by the day you bought it, not the look.
Can you freeze chicken thighs?
USDA’s freezer window for chicken thighs is 9 months.
How long can chicken thighs sit out?
The FSIS 2-hour rule applies to chicken thighs. Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown out — 1 hour if it’s 90°F or hotter (a picnic, a hot car, a summer kitchen).