Chicken can feed a lot of people at a party or cookout, whether you make it the crispiest way in the oven or try chef Andrew Zimmern’s zesty fried chicken recipe. It’s even easier to serve if you put it out on a tray and let people help themselves. But if you’re going to leave your cooked chicken out at room temperature or even take it somewhere else, you should know how long it can stay out of the fridge before it starts to grow bacteria. For some reason, a short time can mean the difference between a tasty, safe meal and a nasty case 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 most important fact to know is the “2 hour rule.” Cooked chicken should never be left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. The reason is that bacteria like Salmonella and E. Coli grow rapidly in the “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F. In this temperature range, bacteria can double in number 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
Even though the chicken can be cooked for up to two hours, there are some reasons you should throw it away sooner:
-
Temperatures above 90°F – When it’s hot out, only leave chicken out for 1 hour before refrigerating.
-
Cut pieces – Chicken that has been cut or shredded should be refrigerated after just 1 hour.
-
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 for too long and then heated it up again? I’m afraid that heating it up again does not get rid of any harmful bacteria that may be in it. While heat can kill bacteria, it can’t kill the poisons that bacteria make. Chilled chicken that has been out for too long can still make you sick.
How to Tell If It’s Bad
You can’t tell if cooked chicken has gone bad by how it looks, tastes, or smells. Chicken that has been out overnight may not smell or look bad, but it may still have enough bacteria in it to make you sick. 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. Nothing you put on your cooked chicken will keep it from going bad at room temperature unless you use extreme heat or cold to stop the growth of pathogens. 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. When youre ready to enjoy your chicken again, know that the oven is the best way to reheat it, so fire it up and enjoy your (illness-free) 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
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. The “danger zone” for bacterial growth in food is between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C), and bacteria can multiply rapidly within that range.
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?
No, it is not recommended to eat a McChicken sandwich that has been left out at room temperature overnight. Chicken that has been cooked, like the patty in a McChicken, shouldn’t be left out for more than two hours, or one hour if it’s warmer than 90°F (32°C).
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.
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 timeframe is crucial as bacteria can proliferate rapidly in the temperature danger zone, which ranges from 40°F (4°C) to 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. If you eat chicken that has been sitting out for too long, you could get a foodborne illness that makes you sick. This could show up 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. Cooked chicken can last for 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 2 to 6 months in the freezer, according to the consumer food safety app, FoodSafety. gov. Where you place your cooked chicken in the fridge also matters.