A hand holding up a can of chicken at a grocery store

The Image Party/Shutterstock

A less expensive alternative to chicken breasts, canned chicken is a great ingredient for budget-friendly meals. Given raw chicken carries some scary health risks like Salmonella, many consumers wonder whether they need to heat canned chicken prior to eating. Here's the good news: It's perfectly safe to eat canned chicken straight out of the tin, as it comes precooked. That said, depending on your chosen canned chicken brand, it may lack flavor. So, you may want to try some simple ways to make canned chicken taste better like browning it in a pan.

Many people are surprised to learn that canned chicken is safe to eat without heating because it doesn't need to be refrigerated prior to opening. The secret's in the can. Canned foods are shelf stable, meaning they can be safely stored for a set period without going bad.

Two vital steps of the canning process protect food from spoilage. First, food is secured in a vacuum-packed can that prevents outside air from getting in. This container is then heated to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. As it cools, it creates a vacuum seal that serves as a barrier between your food and the outside world. This destroys harmful microorganisms and bacteria while deactivating enzymes that cause food to spoil.

Basic canned chicken safety

Opened can of chicken with fork, bread, and garlic cloves

Zia_shusha/Getty Images

Basic food safety is always important, even when using precooked meats. As always, wash your hands before handling food. Also, any protections provided by a sealed can go out the window once it is opened. If you have any leftover canned chicken, remove it from the can, place it in an airtight container, and store it in your refrigerator. After it's opened, canned chicken usually lasts five to seven days in the fridge.

While canned chicken is shelf stable, this does not mean it lasts forever. One mistake everyone makes with canned chicken is ignoring signs of spoilage such as strange colors or smells. Unopened canned chicken typically lasts two to five years, but always pay attention to your can's specific expiration date. Be wary of swollen cans or cans with dents or rust. This could potentially point to botulism, a dangerous, sometimes life-threatening bacteria. Lastly, if you notice a foul odor after opening a can of chicken, it's past its prime.