Chicken kelaguen is a delicious Chamorro specialty that is bursting with bright, bold flavors. This tasty dish features tender chicken that is marinated in a zesty blend of coconut, lemon, and spices. It’s creamy, tangy, and addictively good.
If you’ve made a batch of this chicken kelaguen, you’re probably wondering – how long does it last in the fridge?
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about storing chicken kelaguen to keep it fresh and safe to eat. We’ll talk about:
- What Chicken Kelaguen Is
- How to Store Chicken Kelaguen
- How Long Chicken Kelaguen Lasts in the Fridge
- How to Tell if Chicken Kelaguen Has Gone Bad
- How to Revive Stale Chicken Kelaguen
Let’s get started!
What is Chicken Kelaguen?
Chicken kelaguen is a popular dish from the Mariana Islands of Guam. It features shredded chicken that is tossed in a zesty marinade made with lemon juice hot peppers, and freshly grated coconut.
This Chamorro specialty has complex layers of tangy, spicy, and nutty flavors It’s often served as a side dish or wrapped in warm tortillas
To make chicken kelaguen, chicken is first grilled or cooked until fully done. Then it’s shredded and combined with the marinade ingredients like lemon juice, onions, serrano peppers, and coconut.
The acid from the lemon “cooks” the chicken, much like ceviche. But since the chicken is fully cooked first, this technique just infuses more flavor.
How to Store Chicken Kelaguen
To keep chicken kelaguen fresh as long as possible, proper storage is key. Here are some tips:
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Store chicken kelaguen in an airtight container in the fridge. This prevents moisture from evaporating and keeps other fridge odors from seeping in.
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Make sure your container has a tight-fitting lid. Mason jars or food storage containers work well.
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Don’t pack chicken kelaguen too tightly in the container. Leave a bit of headspace so the flavors can mingle.
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Avoid freezing chicken kelaguen, as the texture tends to suffer. It’s best kept refrigerated.
Following these steps creates the optimal environment to maximize chicken kelaguen’s shelf life.
How Long Does Chicken Kelaguen Last in the Fridge?
When stored properly in an airtight container, chicken kelaguen will keep well in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
The lemon juice, coconut, and chillies all have antimicrobial properties that prevent bacterial growth. This allows the chicken kelaguen to stay fresh longer.
However, over time the flavors will start to dull and the texture won’t be as pleasant. For absolute best quality and taste, it’s ideal to eat chicken kelaguen within 2 to 3 days.
After 4 days, it’s best to throw out leftover chicken kelaguen. The risk of spoilage and foodborne illness increases as more time passes.
How to Tell if Chicken Kelaguen Has Gone Bad
Trust your senses to determine if leftover chicken kelaguen has gone bad. Signs that chicken kelaguen has spoiled include:
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Sour smell: Fresh chicken kelaguen smells pleasantly of lemon, coconut, and spices. Foul, sour odors indicate spoilage.
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Slimy texture: The texture should be moist but not overly slimy or mushy. Significant slime means bacteria growth.
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Mold growth: Check closely for fuzzy mold, which signals spoilage. Discard at any sign of mold.
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Discoloration: Over time, the colors may fade but dramatic changes in color can mean the chicken kelaguen has turned.
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Rancid taste: Spoiled foods tend to taste “off.” The flavors should remain balanced and pleasant.
When in doubt, remember the old saying – “When in doubt, throw it out.” Don’t risk eating chicken kelaguen that seems iffy.
How to Revive Stale Chicken Kelaguen
If your chicken kelaguen has been in the fridge for 3 or 4 days, the flavors may have dulled a bit. Try one of these tricks to perk it up:
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Stir in a splash of fresh lemon juice. The acidity helps reinvigorate the taste.
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Mix in additional minced chili peppers for a blast of heat.
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Sprinkle with chopped green onions for extra bite and freshness.
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Add more grated coconut to balance moisture and texture.
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Gently reheat in the microwave until warm but not hot. This releases the aromas.
Just give it a quick taste test first, to ensure the chicken kelaguen hasn’t already spoiled. Then you can safely use these tweaks to liven up the leftovers.
Get Excited for Chicken Kelaguen!
Chicken kelaguen is an amazing Chamorro dish that’s perfect for potlucks, parties, or weeknight dinners. With its bold, tropical flavors and fuss-free prep, what’s not to love?
Now that you know how long chicken kelaguen lasts in the fridge, you can whip up a batch for the week ahead. Store it properly and enjoy this tasty treat within 3 to 4 days for best quality and safety.
We hope these storage tips help you get the most out of every last bite of this incredible chicken kelaguen. Let us know how it turns out! What’s your favorite way to eat chicken kelaguen?
Step 1Prepare a charcoal grill to cook over medium-high heat.
- Prepare a charcoal grill to cook over medium-high heat.
- Rub the chicken pieces all over with the olive oil then transfer to the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly charred all over and cooked through, about 25 minutes. Transfer to a clean, heatproof dish and set aside to cool slightly.
- When the chicken is cool enough to handle, finely shred the meat (you should have about 5 cups); discard the bones. Transfer the chicken to a non-reactive bowl, then stir in the lemon juice, scallions, and chiles to combine. Fold in 1½ cups grated coconut to combine. The chicken should remain moist and fluffy, neither drowned in marinade nor overladen with coconut. If necessary, add more coconut, ¼ at a time and up to 2 cups, to achieve the proper consistency. Season to taste with salt, then transfer to a large serving dish, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 and up to 24 hours.
- Garnish the kelaguen with thinly sliced scallions and serve at room temperature with hot white rice or with warm Chamorro titiyas, if desired. Store leftovers for up to 3 days.
Put this vibrant and versatile CHamoru dish on permanent pot-luck rotation.
By Larkin Fegurgur Clark
Published on December 15, 2021
- One 4½-lb. chicken, cut into 6 pieces, skin removed
- 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil (optional)
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cups finely chopped scallions, plus 1 Tbsp. thinly sliced, for garnish
- 4 small red bird’s eye chiles, seeded and minced (1 Tbsp.)
- 1½–2 cups (6¾–9 oz.) freshly grated or frozen, thawed coconut or substitute dried, grated, unsweetened coconut, plus more to taste
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- White rice or CHamorru titiyas, for serving (optional)
By Larkin Fegurgur Clark
Published on December 15, 2021
A classic CHamoru staple that’s popular on Guam, chicken kelaguen (in CHamoru, kelaguen månnok) is a dish whose appeal lies in its expert balance of familiar flavors: tangy citrus, fiery red chiles, and the creamy comfort of grated coconut. While unseasoned, grilled chicken is used as the base of this recipe from writer Larkin Fegurgur Clark, consider it an entry point for experimentation—kelaguen can also be made with other proteins, including fish, beef, venison, and even Spam. In this recipe, you may substitute the meat from a whole rotisserie chicken for freshly-grilled, keeping in mind that you may need to adjust the amount of lemon juice and coconut to balance the moisture level; you’ll also lose the smokiness that lends the traditional grilled version it’s complexity.
On Guam, chicken for kelaguen is grilled about 80 percent of the way, then citrus juice or lemon powder is added to finish “cooking” the meat to completion, much like fish proteins are denatured in Latin American ceviche. In the interest of food safety, Clark suggests grilling the chicken until it is fully cooked through. And finally, kelaguen is a dish that Guamanians like to get creative with, sometimes adding minced onions or bell peppers; feel free to taste-test and experiment as you go along to make this dish your own. It can be eaten on its own, or alongside warm white rice or titiyas (CHamorru lightly sweetened flour-and-coconut-milk tortillas). While the dish may be served immediately after assembling, its flavors will improve after a few hours or even a day or two in the fridge.
- One 4½-lb. chicken, cut into 6 pieces, skin removed
- 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil (optional)
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cups finely chopped scallions, plus 1 Tbsp. thinly sliced, for garnish
- 4 small red bird’s eye chiles, seeded and minced (1 Tbsp.)
- 1½–2 cups (6¾–9 oz.) freshly grated or frozen, thawed coconut or substitute dried, grated, unsweetened coconut, plus more to taste
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- White rice or CHamorru titiyas, for serving (optional)
How long will previously-frozen vacuum-packed chicken last in the fridge?
FAQ
How long is kelaguen good for in the fridge?
How Long Does Chicken Kelaguen Keep in the Fridge? This dish will keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
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