How Long Can Raw Chicken Sit Out? According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), raw chicken should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. If the temperature in the room is above 90°F (32°C), then the time limit decreases to just one hour.
Unless the cooked chicken is kept warm, above 140°F, the general rule of thumb for cooked chicken is that it should not sit out on your kitchen table or buffet for more than two hours. Any cooked chicken left at room temperature for more than two hours should probably be thrown out.
Bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter can multiply rapidly at room temperature and make you sick if consumed. If raw chicken has been left out at room temperature for more than two hours, it is not safe to eat and should be discarded.
According to the USDA, you should never thaw meat at room temperature or in hot water. As soon as meat reaches 40 degrees F, it enters the food "Danger Zone," where bacteria can multiply and make it unsafe to eat — this can happen if it's been sitting at room temperature for over two hours.
Never thaw chicken at room temperature or on the counter, as it provides the ideal environment for bacteria growth, and be sure to cook thawed chicken within 48 hours.
There is no set time limit on how long poultry can be left out at room temperature, but as a general rule, you shouldn't leave raw meat out for more than four hours. If you've forgotten to cover your chicken, however, and it's sitting out overnight, the USDA recommends throwing it out.
Fresh, raw chicken is pink and fleshy in color; if the chicken has gone bad it will be discolored and take on a dull, grayish cast. “Signs of food spoilage are pretty universal,” White says. “Any foul odor, discoloration or foreign substances on your chicken would be grounds for tossing.”
The "Danger Zone" (40 °F-140 °F)
This range of temperatures is often called the "Danger Zone." That's why the Meat and Poultry Hotline advises consumers to never leave food out of refrigeration over 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90 °F, food should not be left out more than 1 hour.
While foods are in the process of thawing in the refrigerator (40 °F or less), they remain safe. After thawing, use ground meats, poultry, and fish within one or two additional days, and use beef, pork, lamb or veal (roasts, steaks, or chops) within three to five days.
Cooking the poultry thoroughly will kill the bacteria. Use an accurate meat thermometer to be sure the poultry is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Reheating food may not make it safe. If food is left out too long, some bacteria, such as staphylococcus aureus (staph), can form a heat-resistant toxin that cooking can't destroy.
Generally, it's best to put hot food and leftovers into the fridge within two hours of being cooked. After this time, bacteria can start to grow and transform your delicious meal into a bout of food poisoning waiting to happen.
It is not safe to eat raw or cooked chicken that has been sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours. Instead, you should discard it because otherwise, you're putting yourself at risk for food poisoning.
Whether raw or cooked, food can be chock-full of dangerous bacteria long before you can smell it. Perishable food (like chicken and other meats) should be tossed if left out at room temperature more than two hours (much less if in a warm room).
Protein Lunchbox with Chicken
If you aren't certain how to pack cooked chicken for school lunches, it's easy. Chicken stored at a cool temperature is safe to eat and easier to transport. An ice pack and an insulated lunch bag are all you need to keep the ingredients chilled and fresh.
Food held between 5oC and 60oC for 4 hours or more must be thrown away. The time between 5oC and 60oC is cumulative— that means you need to add up every time the food has been out of the fridge, including during preparation, storage, transport and display.
Bacteria can grow rapidly when raw chicken temperatures are between 40° F and 140° F. If chicken has been left out of the fridge for too long the bacteria can multiply to the point where the chicken is no longer safe to eat.
Raw meat can carry bacteria which cause food poisoning and, accordingly, eating undercooked pork or chicken may result in food poisoning. If you experience symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and fever after eating undercooked meat, seek a diagnosis from a medical institution immediately.
The symptoms of food poisoning usually begin within 1 to 2 days of eating contaminated food. They can also start a few hours later or several weeks later.
The short answer: Yes, cooking can kill Salmonella. Depending on the type of food, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend cooking food to a temperature between 145 degrees F and 165 degrees F to kill Salmonella.
Never leave food in the Danger Zone over two hours; one hour if outside temperature is above 90 °F. The Danger Zone is the temperature range between 40 °F and 140 °F in which bacteria can grow rapidly.
Myth: You shouldn't put hot foods in the refrigerator.
If you leave food out to cool and forget about it after 2 hours, throw it away. Bacteria can grow rapidly on food left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.