A rotisserie chicken is one of modern dayâs great life hacks. You pick it up from the grocery store, bring it home and eat it. And, if you didnât eat the whole thing in one sitting (no judgment if you did), chances are youâve got chicken left over for the week. But will it actually last that long? Whether grilled, fried, roasted, or rotisseried, cooked chicken has a shelf life, so letâs find out how long itâll last.
How Long Can I Leave That Mouthwatering Rotisserie Chicken Out Before It Goes Bad?
We’ve all been there – you stop by the grocery store to grab a few things on your way home and that tantalizing smell hits you The aroma of the store’s rotisserie chickens roasting away is simply irresistible Before you know it, one of those perfectly golden brown birds is sitting in your cart. But now you’re wondering, how long can I leave this rotisserie chicken out before it goes bad?
It’s a common question many folks ponder when buying these convenient ready-to-eat chickens. After all, life gets busy and you don’t always have time to immediately eat or refrigerate it. And you certainly don’t want all that delicious chicken you just paid good money for to end up in the trash due to spoilage!
Luckily, if you plan ahead and store it right, you can keep that delicious rotisserie chicken safe and fresh for days. First, let’s look at some tips from people who know a lot about food safety.
The Golden Rotisserie Chicken Safety Rule
First and foremost, the most trusted food safety guideline for cooked rotisserie chicken is the two hour rule. This means refrigerate or freeze your chicken within two hours of purchasing it. If the surrounding temperature is above 90°F, you only have one hour before bacteria can start rapidly multiplying.
Now, you may be wondering why two hours? Well, it comes down to science. See, there’s this sneaky temperature danger zone between 40-140°F where bacteria thrive. Your fresh, hot rotisserie chicken is the perfect breeding ground, especially as its temperature lowers to room temp.
Bacteria like Salmonella can grow to dangerous levels in just two hours in the danger zone, which could make you sick. So you want to avoid that nightmare scenario at all costs! Stick to that two-hour time limit for the safest rotisserie chicken possible.
Keep It Cool When Transporting Your Bird
Another important rotisserie chicken safety tip is to keep it cool while transporting it home. Investing in an insulated thermal bag is ideal for maintaining a safe temperature. Frozen gel packs also work wonders if you don’t have an insulated bag on hand.
Put that precious bird in the back seat and turn up the air conditioning if you need to. It will last longer and be safer from bacteria growth if you can keep it in a cooler.
Serving Rotisserie Chicken Safely At Events
Let’s say someone tells you to bring one of these chickens that are ready to eat to a party or barbecue. How do you make sure it’s safe for guests if there’s no refrigeration on site?
The best option is an insulated cooler filled with ice or ice packs. Store the rotisserie chicken in the cooler immediately upon arrival. That will maintain it at safe temperatures below 40°F. Just be sure to replace the ice regularly to keep everything chilled.
If a cooler isn’t possible, stick to the two hour rule. Don’t leave the chicken sitting out for longer than two hours total. Discard anything left out longer.
Keep hot foods hot (above 140°F) and cold foods cold (below 40°F). This tried and true food safety motto prevents bacterial growth and keeps your chicken prime for serving.
Pro Tip: Provide guests with hand sanitizer and wet wipes for cleaning their hands before eating. This helps prevent germ spread from handling the shared chicken.
Trust Your Senses To Detect Spoiled Chicken
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, rotisserie chicken does go bad. How do you know for sure? Trust your senses!
If you notice any of the following, it’s time to say goodbye to that chicken:
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Strange odor – Does it smell sour or off? That’s a red flag.
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Slippery texture – Is it unusually slimy? Toss it!
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Weird colors – Any odd grayish or greenish hues? Don’t chance it.
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Bloating – Does it look inflated? Definite sign of spoilage.
When in doubt, throw it out. Safety first! Your nose and eyes know when chicken has crossed over from delicious to dangerous.
Thaw and Reheat Leftovers The Right Way
Freezing is a great way to extend the life of your rotisserie chicken. But thawing and reheating leftovers also requires care.
Always thaw frozen chicken in the fridge, not at room temp. And use a food thermometer when reheating to 165°F minimum internal temperature. This kills any bacteria.
Microwaving is the quickest reheating method, but can leave cold spots where bacteria survive. Oven heating is slower, but ensures thorough, even temperature.
Storing Chicken Safely In The Fridge
Once refrigerated, cooked rotisserie chicken can safely last for 3-4 days. Be sure to store it properly to optimize freshness:
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Use sealed airtight containers or wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil. This prevents contamination.
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Place chicken on lower fridge shelves so juices don’t drip on other food.
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Label the storage container with the date. So you know when it was stored.
Follow these rotisserie chicken safety tips, and you can enjoy every last juicy bite of your yummy grocery store bird worry-free! Just remember that two hour guideline, transport it cool, freeze for longer storage, and trust your senses if spoilage is suspected. Now go savor that tasty chicken!
Whatâs the best way to store cooked chicken?
Bookmark the FDA-approved two hour rule in your brain: Anything that needs to be refrigerated, including chicken, must be refrigerated within two hours to prevent food poisoning and foodborne illness. After two hours, thereâs a greater chance that bacteria will grow. No matter how the chicken is prepared, it shouldnât sit for longer than two hours at room temperature before you put it in the fridge. Same goes for raw chicken.Â
The USDA recommends cooling foods like chicken before refrigeration. Split big pots of soup into smaller containers to cool them more rapidly, and break down large cuts of meat, like a whole chicken, into parts to wrap individually for storing after theyâve cooled. Â
There should be no air flow around the cooked chicken. You can use a sealable bag or a container that doesn’t let air in. This storage method will preserve the freshness of your bird â and keep it from drying out â and also prevent any chicken odors from contaminating the other foods in your fridge. Â.
How to know if cooked chicken has gone bad
If you are within the three to four day window and still find yourself wondering whether or not a piece of chicken is safe to eat, itâs best to rely on your senses. Specifically: smell and touch.Â
Cooked chicken that has gone bad will develop an odor thatâs âoffâ and will likely be sticky, slimy, or tacky to the touch. A change in color does not always indicate spoiled chicken. Depending on the preparation, a change in color during storage can be natural â however, if you have concerns, itâs always best to err on the side of caution.Â
How to Keep Rotisserie Chicken Warm Without Drying It Out
FAQ
How long can I leave a rotisserie chicken on the counter?
After two hours, there’s a greater chance that bacteria will grow. No matter how the chicken is prepared, it shouldn’t sit for longer than two hours at room temperature before you put it in the fridge.
Can you eat rotisserie chicken if left out overnight?
You can safely leave cooked chicken out at room temperature for two hours — or one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit — says the United States Department of Agriculture. You should throw away cooked chicken that has been out for more than two hours (or one hour above 90° F). ” Source.
Can you leave Costco rotisserie chicken out?
Rotisserie chicken is safe to leave out at room temperature for two hours while you set the table for a meal.