Better Safe Than Sorry
How Long Can Cooked Chicken Sit Out Before It Becomes Unsafe? Here’s What You Need to Know.
It’s time to cater to your family’s appetite! What’s on the menu? For many, chicken is a go-to choice. It’s a favorite among kids, and with countless recipes available online, it’s a breeze to prepare or pick up—especially on those hectic weekdays. However, life can get busy, and you might accidentally leave your cooked chicken out longer than intended. Now, as dinner approaches, you may find yourself questioning, “How long can cooked chicken sit out before it’s no longer safe to eat?” Did you ruin dinner, or is it still good?
Despite the potential dilemma, chicken remains a fantastic meal option, whether you prepare it at home or grab a pre-cooked one from the store. Many parents like to meal prep their chicken dishes on Sundays or at least get a jumpstart in the afternoon before little ones come rushing into the kitchen, disrupting your cooking flow. Regardless of how you prepare your chicken, it’s crucial to grasp some basic food safety principles. While most people understand that animal proteins must be cooked thoroughly, the specifics of food safety are often less familiar. Here’s what you need to know to ensure your chicken dinner is safe to eat.
Is It Safe to Eat?
The United States Department of Agriculture states that cooked chicken can be safely left out at room temperature for up to two hours. If it remains out longer, it’s best to discard it. Keep in mind that factors like the room’s humidity can influence this timeline. If your cooked chicken has been out for more than an hour in temperatures exceeding 90°F, it’s time to toss it. This also applies if you’ve taken cooked chicken to a picnic or packed it for lunch. It’s always better to err on the side of caution, as bacteria can thrive when cooked chicken is left within the 40°F to 140°F temperature range.
Leaving cooked chicken out can lead to foodborne illnesses such as E. coli and salmonella, which may result in stomach pain and more serious health issues. However, most people only experience mild to moderate symptoms. Still, it’s essential to recognize the potential severity, especially since contaminated chicken can look and smell just like safe chicken.
In summary, it’s crucial to refrigerate cooked chicken as soon as possible to avert foodborne illness.
How Long Can You Store Cooked Chicken?
A common myth is that storing cooked chicken in a sealed container keeps it safe from airborne illnesses. This isn’t accurate; the risk lies within the meat itself, where bacteria can grow. Another misconception is that covering cooked chicken in barbecue sauce or any sauce will keep it fresh longer. Unfortunately, even the most delicious sauces can’t prevent spoilage.
The safest way to store cooked chicken is in the refrigerator or freezer. If you’ve meal-prepped or have leftovers, cooked chicken can be safely stored in the fridge for three to four days and can last in the freezer for at least four months.
Does Reheating Chicken That Has Been Left Out Help?
You may have heard that reheating food eliminates all harmful pathogens. Unfortunately, reheating does not kill pathogens that have multiplied while the chicken was at room temperature.
How Long Should You Cook Chicken?
To cover all bases regarding chicken safety, the US Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends cooking chicken until it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165°F, as measured with a food thermometer. Check the temperature at the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast.
Kitchen mishaps happen, especially for busy parents! Always remember to refrigerate your cooked chicken as soon as possible. When it’s time to eat, simply reheating it in the microwave or oven won’t alter the taste, and you can be confident it’s safe. But when in doubt, it’s always better to discard it.
How Do You Know if Cooked Chicken Has Gone Bad?
Unfortunately, spoiled chicken can sometimes appear similar to safe chicken. Following the two-hour rule is a good practice, but if you lose track of time, here’s how to identify spoiled chicken. Look for significant changes in texture—if the chicken feels excessively soft or has a slime-like appearance, it’s best to throw it away. Stickiness and a strange film are also indicators that it’s time to discard it.
Pay attention to any foul odors or color changes. If your chicken has turned yellow, green, or grayish, it’s no longer safe to eat. Spoiled chicken often smells like ammonia or rotten eggs. Remember, raw chicken should also not have any unpleasant odors and should be shiny and soft rather than slimy or sticky.
How Long After Eating Spoiled Chicken Will I Get Sick?
If you accidentally consume spoiled chicken, symptoms of food poisoning may appear within one to two days. However, some individuals might start feeling sick, experience nausea, or even vomit within hours or, in some cases, weeks later.
This article was originally published on April 4, 2022.
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