It's important to prioritize food safety when dealing with potentially expired or spoiled food.
The sell-by date is an indication for the store and not necessarily the consumer. It's always best to rely on your senses and some general guidelines when determining if raw chicken is still safe to cook:
Check the appearance and smell: Examine the chicken carefully. If it has an unusual odor, such as a strong, sour, or unpleasant smell, it may be a sign of spoilage. Fresh chicken should have a mild, slightly sweet scent. Additionally, if the chicken appears slimy or sticky, it is best to discard it.
Assess the texture: If the chicken feels excessively slimy or has a sticky texture, it's a possible indication of spoilage. Fresh chicken should have a firm texture.
Examine the color: Raw chicken should have a pinkish color. If it has turned grayish or has dark spots, it may be an indication of spoilage.
While these indicators can help you assess the freshness of the chicken, they are not foolproof. Bacterial growth can occur even if the chicken looks and smells fine. Consuming spoiled or improperly handled chicken can lead to foodborne illnesses.
If you have any doubts about the safety of the chicken, it's generally recommended to err on the side of caution and discard it. It's better to prioritize food safety and avoid the risk of potential illness.