However, chicken is commonly contaminated with disease-causing organisms known as pathogens, which can lead to foodborne illness or food poisoning.
It’s not safe to eat chicken that has been left out at room temperature for too long because these pathogens can grow.
This article explains how long chicken can safely sit out and provides tips to reduce your risk of foodborne illness from consuming it.
How Long Can Chicken Stay Out of the Fridge? The Definitive Guide
Chicken is a versatile protein that can be prepared in endless ways, from oven roasted to grilled, fried, baked and more. It’s affordable, easy to cook, and popular in most households. But with its popularity comes concerns over proper storage and food safety. We’ve all been there – you picked up a pack of chicken breasts on the way home from work, got distracted when you walked in the door, and left it sitting out So how long can raw or cooked chicken stay out before it goes bad?
This definitive guide covers everything you need to know about how long chicken can stay out of the fridge including
- Raw Chicken – How long can it sit out at room temperature?
- Cooked Chicken – Does cooking extend how long it lasts outside the fridge?
- Defrosting Chicken – Is it safe to leave frozen chicken out to thaw?
- Signs of Spoiled Chicken – What are the indications that chicken has gone bad?
- Refrigerator Storage – How long does chicken last in the fridge?
- Freezer Storage – What is the shelf life of frozen chicken?
- Food Safety Tips – Best practices for handling raw chicken.
Read on for the details and stats on how long chicken can stay out so you can avoid foodborne illnesses!
How Long Can Raw Chicken Sit Out at Room Temperature?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), raw chicken should not sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. The danger zone for bacterial growth is between 40°F and 140°F. As chicken warms up, bacteria starts multiplying quickly.
If it sits out for more than two hours, the amount of bacteria is too high to be safe. Some bacteria will still survive cooking temperatures. Consuming chicken left out too long can cause food poisoning.
Chicken shouldn’t be left out at room temperature for more than an hour if it’s over 90°F. It takes less time for food to get into the danger zone when it’s hot.
Bacteria grow much more slowly in chicken that is stored below 40°F or above 140°F. Refrigerating or freezing chicken keeps it safe.
How Long Can Cooked Chicken Sit Out?
Cooked chicken also should not sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours. The USDA’s danger zone applies to cooked chicken as well as raw.
Some people think cooking chicken kills all bacteria – this is false. Harmful bacteria can still multiply on cooked chicken left out too long. Cooked chicken isn’t sterile just because it reached safe cooking temperatures.
Leftovers should be put in the fridge or thrown away after two hours. When you serve cooked chicken, keep it warm in a slow cooker or chafing dish to cut down on the time it sits out.
Is It Safe to Leave Chicken Out to Defrost?
Frozen chicken should never be left out at room temperature to defrost. The outer surface will thaw first, allowing bacteria to grow, while the inside remains frozen.
According to the USDA, there are three safe ways to defrost chicken:
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Fridge Thawing – The chicken will defrost safely in the fridge within 1-2 days. This is the recommended method.
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Cold Water Thawing – Submerge sealed chicken in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes until thawed. Takes 2-3 hours for a whole chicken.
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Microwave Defrosting – Use the microwave’s defrost setting then cook immediately. Do not try to thaw at room temp.
The only way to tell if chicken is still safe is by knowing how long it sat within the danger zone. When in doubt, throw it out.
What Are Signs of Spoiled Chicken?
Chicken can be unsafe to eat even if there are no obvious signs of spoilage. Relying on sight, smell and touch alone will not reveal if bacteria has grown. Still, here are some red flags:
Raw Chicken:
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Slimy or sticky texture
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Grey or green tinge
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Sulfur odor
Cooked Chicken:
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Mold growth
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Sour, off smell
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Change in color
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Grey areas
If you detect any weird appearances, odors or textures, play it safe and discard the chicken.
How Long Does Chicken Last in the Fridge?
To extend the shelf life of chicken, promptly refrigerate it after purchasing it raw or cooking it.
Raw chicken lasts 1-2 days in the fridge. Cooked chicken lasts 3-4 days. These time frames are for maximum quality.
Technically, chicken is still safe to eat after its best by date, but the taste, texture and nutritional value declines. For optimal freshness and flavor, use chicken within the recommended time.
How Long Is Chicken Good For In the Freezer?
Freezing chicken slows bacteria growth significantly, extending shelf life. According to the USDA:
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Raw chicken pieces last 9 months in the freezer
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Raw whole chicken lasts 1 year frozen
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Cooked chicken pieces last 3-4 months in the freezer
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Cooked whole chicken lasts 4 months frozen
For best quality, use frozen chicken within these time frames. Chicken lasts indefinitely frozen, but will become stringy and dry over time.
Food Safety Tips for Handling Raw Chicken
Raw chicken naturally contains pathogens that can cause foodborne illnesses. Here are some key food safety guidelines when working with raw chicken:
- Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw chicken
- Wash hands before and after handling
- Store chicken on bottom shelf of fridge to prevent drips on other food
- Don’t rinse chicken – this can spread bacteria
- Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill bacteria
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours
Follow these rules when handling chicken to protect yourself and your family from bacteria and feel confident knowing how long chicken can safely sit out unrefrigerated. Trust your tastebuds – when in doubt, throw it out!
Chicken and the temperature danger zone
Chicken is commonly contaminated with harmful species of Salmonella and Camplobacter.
Chickens can carry these pathogens in their intestinal tract and often, during processing, carcasses can be contaminated with the pathogens.
These pathogens can survive processing and storage, and even multiply when chicken is kept too long in the temperature danger zone.
The temperature danger zone is between 40ºF and 140ºF for the general public (those not working in foodservice).
Falling between this range is room temperature at about 70ºF.
Chicken and other foods that need to be kept cold should not be left in the temperature danger zone for more than two hours.
But if the temperature is above 90ºF, the two-hour rule is reduced to one hour since bacteria can multiply more rapidly in warmer temperatures (1).
If chicken is left out for more than two or one hour, it is no longer safe and needs to be thrown away.
Summary
Chicken, whether cooked or raw, should not sit out at room temperature for more than two hours, or one hour if the temperature is above 90ºF.
How long can thawed chicken stay in the fridge?
FAQ
Will chicken go bad if left out for 4 hours?
Food safety rules say that cooked chicken shouldn’t be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. If the temperature is above 90°F (32°C), this time is reduced to just 1 hour. Leaving cooked chicken out for 4 hours increases the risk of bacterial growth, which can lead to foodborne illness.
How long is chicken good for after taking out of the fridge?
Raw chicken should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90°F (32°C), that time is reduced to just 1 hour. Bacteria can grow quickly in the “danger zone” between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C), which raises the risk of getting sick from food.
How long is cooked chicken safe at room temperature?
Cooked chicken should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. If the temperature is above 90°F (32°C), the time limit is reduced to one hour.
How long can you keep chicken out if the fridge?
Safety Tips: Don’t leave chicken out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if above 90°F). The “sell by” date isn’t a safety deadline — use your senses and proper storage practices.
Does cooked chicken last longer in the fridge?
Chicken kept at a colder temperature is naturally going to last longer. How long does cooked chicken stay fresh in the fridge? Cooked chicken is much less likely to get bacteria, but if you wait too long to eat it, it can still make you sick, even if it has been in the fridge.
How long can you leave raw chicken out of the fridge?
Raw chicken can only be left out of the fridge for no more than two hours – or just one hour if the temperature is above 90°F. After this time, your raw chicken is no longer safe to eat and must be discarded. But why is chicken so risky? We have got all the answers and more for you!
Can cooked chicken be refrigerated?
Cooling off your cooked chicken keeps your other foods in the fridge and freezer safe. Allowing your cooked chicken to cool in the refrigerator can cause the temperature inside the fridge and freezer to rise, putting your other foods in the refrigerator and freezer at risk.
How long can cooked chicken sit out?
However, the two-hour rule only applies to ideal conditions. If the chicken (raw or cooked) is sitting out in the heat or sun one hour is the maximum safe time as it can reach the Danger Zone much more quickly.
Can cooked chicken be left out of the fridge?
In summary, cooked chicken should never be left out of the fridge for more than two hours. Always store it properly in the refrigerator or freezer to ensure its safety and quality. Be attentive to signs of spoilage, and remember that when it comes to food safety, it’s always better to be cautious than to consume questionable food.
How long can you store raw chicken?
The best way to store raw chicken depends on how soon you are going to eat it: Room temperature – raw chicken which is going to be cooked or frozen within one hour. Refrigerator – raw chicken which is going to be cooked or frozen within 48 hours. Freezer – long-term storage of chicken for up to one year.