Whether youre making the crispiest oven roasted chicken or trying out chef Andrew Zimmerns zesty fried chicken recipe, chicken can feed a crowd at a party or cookout, and its even easier to serve if you leave it out on a tray for guests to help themselves. However, if you plan to you leave your cooked poultry at room temperature — or perhaps youre even transporting it to another place — you should know how long it can sit out of the fridge before it becomes a hotbed for bacteria. Unfortunately, a short amount of time can make the difference between a delicious, safe-to-eat meal and a nasty bout of food poisoning.
According to the U. S. Department of Agriculture, cooked poultry can sit at room temperature for no longer than two hours — and in hot weather above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, it can only sit out for an hour at most. Leaving chicken out for any longer will allow harmful pathogens to grow to dangerous levels, so youll want to store any leftovers in the fridge before they hit that time limit.
Chicken is a staple food for many It’s versatile, protein-packed, and can be used in everything from soups and salads to sandwiches and main dishes But like any perishable food, chicken has to be handled properly to avoid foodborne illnesses. One common question is how long cooked chicken can be left out at room temperature before it is no longer safe to eat.
Food safety is very important to me as a food blogger who writes about chicken recipes. Know how long cooked chicken can be left out? I want to share what I’ve learned so you don’t get sick from chicken that was handled badly.
The 2 Hour Rule
The “two-hour rule” is the most important thing to know. “Don’t leave cooked chicken out at room temperature for more than two hours.” The reason is that bacteria like Salmonella and E. Coli multiply quickly in the “danger zone” (40°F to 140°F). When it’s this warm, bacteria can multiply every 20 minutes.
So even if the chicken was properly cooked to kill bacteria initially, the bacteria can multiply to dangerous levels if the chicken sits in the danger zone for too long.
Factors That Shorten the Time
While 2 hours is the maximum, there are certain factors that mean you should toss the chicken sooner:
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Temperatures above 90°F – When it’s hot out, only leave chicken out for 1 hour before refrigerating.
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Cut pieces – Chicken that has been cut or shredded should be refrigerated after just 1 hour.
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Leftovers – Don’t keep leftovers sitting out. Refrigerate within 1 hour.
It Doesn’t Matter If It’s Covered
I used to think that covering leftover chicken would make it last longer. But I’ve learned covering doesn’t stop bacteria growth. Tightly wrapping or sealing the chicken can create the moist, low oxygen environment bacteria thrive in. Always refrigerate within 2 hours, even if covered.
Sauces and Marinades Don’t Help
It’s also a myth that sauces, marinades, and rubs preserve chicken. Things like barbecue sauce don’t have properties that prevent bacterial growth. And marinades typically include ingredients like oil, acid, and herbs that bacteria like Salmonella actually enjoy.
Reheating Won’t Make It Safe
What if you left the chicken out too long but then reheat it thoroughly later? I’m sorry to say reheating does not get rid of the dangerous bacteria that may be present. While heat can destroy bacteria, it does not destroy toxins the bacteria produce. Reheated chicken that sat out too long can still make you sick.
How to Tell If It’s Bad
You can’t rely on smell, taste, or appearance to tell if cooked chicken has gone bad. Even chicken that has been left out overnight can look and smell normal but contain enough bacteria to cause food poisoning. When in doubt, throw it out. Don’t taste test chicken that may be spoiled.
How to Store Chicken Safely
To keep cooked chicken safe and avoid waste, here are some proper storage guidelines:
- Refrigerate chicken within 2 hours (1 hour if above 90°F)
- Store chicken in airtight, shallow containers
- Use chicken within 3-4 days if refrigerated
- Freeze extras immediately for longer storage
No, covering chicken in sauce does not prevent spoiling
Many people claim that you can douse cooked chicken in a marinade or slather it with sauce to prevent it from going bad. While this is well-meaning advice, you never want to leave perishable foods out for over two hours before putting them back in storage. Unless youre using high heat or freezing cold temperatures to halt the growth of pathogens, no amount of dressing will keep your cooked chicken from going bad at room temp. Reheating will not fix this issue, either, as the toxins released by harmful germs can withstand the heat and remain on the surface of your food.
Put your leftovers in the fridge before two hours are up. This is the best way to keep them from going to the trash. When putting your cooked chicken back in the fridge, make sure to keep it sealed in an airtight vessels and away from any raw meat to avoid cross-contamination. Once you’re ready to eat your chicken again, remember that the oven is the best way to warm it up, so turn it on and enjoy your (not-sick) leftovers.
Keep cooked chicken warm to prolong its shelf life
To stay healthy, it’s best to not store cooked chicken for more than two hours. However, this rule can be hard to stick to when you’re busy at a party or potluck. If you want some wiggle room to avoid leaving chicken out for too long, or you simply dont want to put it away too soon, consider using a food warmer to display your cooked chicken.
Typically used for catering events and buffet restaurants, food warmers — such as buffet servers, chafing dishes, and electric warming trays — are all types of appliances that keep foods warm over an extended period of time. Provided that your particular appliance can keep a steady temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, it can be an excellent tool at mitigating microbial growth. Just remember that these appliances could potentially dry out your cooked chicken over an extended period of time, so exercise caution when displaying your food in a warming tray. A little over 2 or 3 hours might be fine, but any longer than that, and your leftovers might be so dry that you dont really want them, anyway.
Can I leave cooked chicken out overnight?
FAQ
How long can cooked chicken sit out?
See a doctor if any of these symptoms persist for more than 12 to 24 hours. To store cooked chicken, make sure that it does not sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours or more than 1 hour in temperatures above 90°F. Ensure it is cooled to room temperature within 2 hours before stowing it in the refrigerator or freezer.
How long should cooked chicken be left out at room temperature?
According to food safety guidelines, cooked chicken should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. This time frame is very important because bacteria can grow quickly in the temperature danger zone, which is between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C).
Can cooked chicken be left out overnight?
Cooked chicken should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Leaving it out for longer can allow bacteria to multiply rapidly, increasing the risk of food poisoning. Now that we’ve answered the main question, let’s provide insights into other relevant queries: 1. Can I eat cooked chicken that has been left out overnight?.
Can cooked chicken sit out?
So, at room temperature, bacteria can thrive, even on cooked chicken. This means they can multiply to highly hazardous and deadly numbers in mere hours and cause food poisoning. For safety, the USDA recommends not exceeding 2 hours when leaving cooked chicken out. Now, you know cooked chicken cannot sit out. So, how do you store cooked chicken?.
What happens if cooked chicken is left out too long?
If you discover that cooked chicken has been left out longer than the safe duration, it’s advisable to discard it. Consuming chicken that has sat out too long can lead to foodborne illnesses, which might manifest as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It’s simply not worth the risk to your health.
How long does cooked chicken last in the fridge?
You may also want to date the container to remind you when you stored it. An app called FoodSafety says that cooked chicken can be kept in the fridge for three to four days and in the freezer for two to six months. gov. Where you place your cooked chicken in the fridge also matters.
Is it safe to eat cooked chicken left out for 4 hours?
No, it is generally not safe to eat cooked chicken that has been left out at room temperature for 4 hours. From 40°F (4°C) to 140°F (60°C), bacteria can grow quickly. This is called the “danger zone” for bacterial growth in food.
Is cooked chicken still good after 12 hours?
Cooked chicken can stay in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, and 1 week for sausage/lunch meat. Store in labeled, airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking or 1 hour if temps are 90°F plus. Avoid food poisoning by checking for gray-green color, slimy appearance and foul, acidic odor.
Can I eat a McChicken left out overnight?
How long can cooked chicken sit out in FDA?
Never allow meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, or produce or other foods that require refrigeration to sit at room temperature for more than two hours—one hour if the air temperature is above 90° F. This also applies to items such as leftovers, “doggie bags,” and take-out foods.