How can you tell if cooked chicken is spoiled?

Visual Inspection:

* Color: Spoiled chicken often turns a grayish or greenish color.

* Slime: A slimy or sticky texture on the surface of the chicken is a major red flag.

* Mold: Any visible mold growth, even a small amount, means the chicken is spoiled.

Smell:

* Sour or rotten: A strong, foul odor is a clear sign of spoilage. Even a slightly off smell should be a warning.

Texture:

* Slimy or mushy: Spoiled chicken will feel mushy or slimy when you touch it.

Other Indicators:

* Off taste: Even if the chicken looks and smells fine, a strange or unpleasant taste means it's likely bad.

* Delayed consumption: Cooked chicken is best consumed within 3-4 days of cooking. After that, the risk of spoilage increases.

Important Notes:

* Never rely solely on smell: Some bacteria that cause spoilage don't have a strong odor, so a lack of smell doesn't guarantee safety.

* When in doubt, throw it out: If you're unsure about the chicken's condition, it's always better to be safe and discard it. Food poisoning can be very serious.

If you think you've eaten spoiled chicken, contact your doctor immediately.