Should cooked chicken be stored with gravy or separately?

Question

For storing leftover cooked chicken, is it better to keep it in its gravy or separate? Learn which method best preserves its moisture and taste.

Answer 1

Cooked chicken should be stored separately from gravy to prevent the chicken from becoming soggy and to ensure even cooling, which reduces the risk of bacterial growth.

Detailed Explanation:

Storing cooked chicken and gravy separately offers several advantages. Firstly, the gravy's moisture can make the chicken skin soggy, diminishing its texture and flavor. Secondly, separating the components allows for more efficient cooling. Large volumes of warm gravy surrounding the chicken can insulate it, slowing down the cooling process. Slow cooling creates a favorable environment for bacteria to multiply, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. By storing them separately in shallow containers, both the chicken and gravy cool down more quickly and evenly in the refrigerator. This minimizes the time spent in the 'danger zone' (between 40°F and 140°F), where bacteria thrive. When you're ready to reheat, you can then combine the chicken and gravy.

Pro Tip:

Always cool cooked chicken and gravy to below 40°F (4°C) within two hours of cooking. If the quantity is large, divide it into smaller portions in shallow containers to speed up the cooling process.