Chicken is a staple food in many households. It’s versatile, protein-packed, and easy to cook. However, improper storage of cooked chicken can lead to foodborne illnesses. So an important question is, how long can cooked chicken sit out covered at room temperature before it becomes unsafe to eat?
Overview
Cooked chicken should not sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours whether covered or uncovered. After this time dangerous bacteria like Salmonella can multiply quickly to unsafe levels that could make you sick. The only way to make chicken safe again is to throw it out. Covering cooked chicken does not make it last longer.
Reheating or adding sauces/marinades also do not make chicken that has been sitting out for over 2 hours safe to eat again Storing cooked chicken properly in the refrigerator within 2 hours is the best way to enjoy delicious leftover chicken without getting sick,
The 2-Hour Rule Applies Even If Chicken Is Covered
According to the USDA, cooked chicken should not be left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature. This 2-hour rule applies whether the cooked chicken is covered with foil, stored in a container with a lid, or left uncovered on the countertop.
Covering cooked chicken does not prevent bacteria from multiplying. Dangerous bacteria like Salmonella can double in number every 20 minutes between 40°F and 140°F. So after sitting out for 2 hours, bacteria levels can reach unsafe amounts even if the chicken is completely covered.
Why You Can’t Rely On Sight, Smell, Or Taste
It’s impossible to tell if cooked chicken has been left out too long by looking at it, smelling it, or tasting it. Even when chicken has been sitting at room temperature for many hours and is contaminated with high levels of bacteria, it can still look, smell and taste normal. So relying on your senses is not a reliable way to determine if cooked chicken is safe to eat after sitting out.
Sauces And Marinades Do Not Make Chicken Safer
Adding sauces, marinades or rubs to cooked chicken does not make it safe to eat after it has been sitting out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. Sauces and marinades do not prevent bacterial growth.
Although acidic ingredients like vinegar and lemon juice can slow bacterial growth, they do not stop bacteria from multiplying to unsafe levels in cooked chicken after 2 hours. It’s still unsafe to eat chicken that has been sitting out for a long time, even if it has been covered in barbecue sauce or marinated in lemon juice and herbs.
Reheating Won’t Make Chicken Safe Again
Cooked chicken that has been left out for more than 2 hours cannot be made safe by reheating it. Reheating may kill some bacteria, but not the dangerous toxins that bacteria release. These toxins can still make you sick even after reheating. And some bacteria may survive reheating temperatures anyway.
For food safety, it’s best to just discard cooked chicken that has sat at room temperature for over 2 hours. Don’t rely on reheating to make contaminated chicken safe to eat again.
Risk of Food Poisoning
Eating cooked chicken that has been sitting out for too long puts you at risk for food poisoning. Chicken is especially prone to contamination by bacteria like Salmonella. When you eat chicken containing high levels of these bacteria, you may develop symptoms of food poisoning like:
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever and chills
- Headache
Seek medical attention if food poisoning symptoms last more than 1-2 days or are severe. Some individuals, like older adults, young children, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems, are at higher risk for complications from food poisoning.
How to Store Cooked Chicken Safely
To safely enjoy delicious leftover cooked chicken without worrying about bacterial contamination, just remember these tips:
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Refrigerate within 2 hours – Chicken that has been sitting out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90°F) should be discarded. Otherwise, refrigerate it in shallow airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking.
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Divide into smaller portions – Cut cooked chicken into smaller pieces so it cools faster in the fridge.
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Use within 3-4 days – For best quality, eat refrigerated cooked chicken within 3-4 days. Discard if it has been refrigerated longer.
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Freeze for longer storage – For longer storage, freeze cooked chicken in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It will keep for 4-6 months in the freezer.
Following basic food safety practices keeps your family protected from foodborne illness when enjoying cooked chicken. Don’t let it sit out for more than 2 hours before refrigerating it. With proper handling, you can safely savor delicious leftover chicken for days without having to worry.
Keep cooked chicken warm to prolong its shelf life
While storing cooked chicken before two hours are up is the best way to avoid getting sick, this guideline can be hard to follow when youre distracted 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.
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. Unless youre using high heat or freezing cold temperatures to halt the growth of pathogens, no amount of dressing will keep your cooked chicken from going bad at room temp. 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.
Cold storage before the two-hour mark is the single best way to keep your leftovers out of the trash can. 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.
Can I leave cooked chicken out overnight?
FAQ
How long can I leave cooked chicken out covered?
Cooked chicken can be left out for 2 hours at the most unless it’s kept warm—above 140°F. Any cooked chicken left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should probably be thrown out. This includes rotisserie chicken. The same applies to cooked chicken enjoyed outdoors, like at a picnic or barbecue.
Is cooked chicken ok after 4 hours?
According to food safety guidelines, cooked chicken should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 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 can chicken be at room temperature before going bad?
How long can covered cooked food sit out?
The best plan is to put leftovers in the refrigerator right after your meal. Food that is sitting out for a party or picnic should be chilled after two hours at typical room temperature. If it’s above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) or more, food should not sit out for more than one hour.