How Long Can Cooked Chicken Be Left Out at Room Temperature?
Key Points
- Unfortunately, your chicken breasts are no longer safe to eat
- Cooked chicken that has been sitting out for longer than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90° F) should be discarded
- The reason is that bacteria grow rapidly when cooked chicken is kept at temperatures between 40° F and 140° F
Overview
Unfortunately, your chicken breasts are no longer safe to eat. Leaving Cooked Chicken Out of the Fridge 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. Cooked chicken that has been sitting out for longer than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90° F) should be discarded. The reason is that bacteria grow rapidly when cooked chicken is kept at temperatures between 40° F and 140° F. To prevent foodborne illness, try to refrigerate the cooked chicken as soon as you can. You can safely keep cooked chicken in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days; it will also keep well in the freezer for at least 4 months.Do You Have to Thaw Frozen Chicken Before Cooking It? How Long Does Thawed Chicken Last in the Fridge? Is It Necessary to Rinse Raw Chicken Before Cooking It?Long-Lasting Produce Stock up and enjoy Your Questions Answered Steak that's changed color
Key Points
- Unfortunately, your chicken breasts are no longer safe to eat
- Cooked chicken that has been sitting out for longer than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90° F) should be discarded
- The reason is that bacteria grow rapidly when cooked chicken is kept at temperatures between 40° F and 140° F
Related Foods
This information applies to: beef, chicken, cranberry, eggs, ground beef, hamburger, pie, potatoes, salad, shrimp, steak, stuffing, turkey
Tags
cooking expiration freezing leftovers refrigeration safety storage thawing