Your Questions Answered
Question: How long can you let cooked chicken sit out before it becomes unsafe to eat?
Answer: 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.
See Also:
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?
