No, it is not recommended to put warm chicken directly into the fridge. When you place hot or warm food in the refrigerator, it can cause the overall temperature inside the fridge to rise. This temperature increase can promote bacterial growth in other perishable foods, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses.
To safely refrigerate chicken (or any cooked food), you should follow these steps:
Allow the chicken to cool down: Leave the cooked chicken at room temperature for no more than 2 hours after cooking. During this time, the chicken will gradually cool down.
Divide into smaller portions: If you have a large amount of chicken, it's better to divide it into smaller portions. This allows the chicken to cool down faster.
Store in airtight containers: Place the cooled chicken in airtight containers or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out and to keep odors from spreading to other foods in the fridge.
Label and date: Always label the containers with the contents and the date of storage, so you can easily keep track of how long the chicken has been in the fridge.
Place in the refrigerator: Once the chicken has cooled down, you can place it in the refrigerator for storage. Make sure to put it on a shelf away from other raw meats or foods to avoid cross-contamination.
By following these steps, you ensure that the chicken cools down safely and that your refrigerator remains at a safe temperature for other perishable foods. Additionally, when reheating the refrigerated chicken, make sure to reheat it thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to kill any potential bacteria that may have grown during storage.