Knowing how long a chicken can sit out contributes indirectly to your health and well-being. When we take out the chicken to get it cooked, we invariably fear how long it is too long for the chicken to be at room temperature.
Keeping it too long is obviously a bad practice, and it needs immediate processing as soon as possible whenever it is sitting out.
Generally, the chicken should be kept at room temperature for at least 2 hours. However, room temperature is very subjective and might differ with region and place or where you have placed the chicken.
Hence a careful analogy of how long the chicken can be kept outside depending on the value of the temperature is necessary.
This document will be the absolute guide in showing us how long the chicken can be kept out and all the storage methods that need to be followed.
All information related to and revolves around the context of maintaining the chicken will be pondered in the following line for your grab.
Why Is It Very Important To Know How Long The Chicken Can Be Kept Out?
It is very important to know the allowed timeline for the chicken to be kept at room temperature because the chicken becomes more vulnerable to the bacteria breeding in them.
As soon as it is exposed to the external environment, the microbes from the air start floating around its surface, completely contaminating the meat beyond consumption.
The bacterias also tend to grow sooner every minute it is exposed to outer air or at room temperature. Hence sitting the chicken out for a long time should be avoided at best to utilize the meat whenever you want it.
How Long Can The Chicken Be Kept Out At Room Temperature?
This article’s main point is that cooked chicken can sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours. However, if the room temperature is around 90 degrees F, 1 hour would be too much before it turns bad.
If you plan to leave the cooked chicken for more than 2 hours at a normal room temperature or more than an hour at 90 degrees F, it is better discarded or thrown out.
Cooking the chicken, which has been kept longer at room temperature, leaves room for contamination leading to food poisoning for sure.
It should be cooked immediately after it is taken out from the fridge or should be reheated as soon as it is kept at room temperature. This will save the chicken from getting attacked by the microbes.
What If The Cooked Chicken Is In A Sealed Container?
Sometimes people wonder whether they can keep the chicken in a sealed container. Unfortunately, this will not make any difference whatsoever.
If the chicken is kept at room temperature, even in the sealed container, the moisture outside will contaminate the meat and swamp the surface with microbes in that case as well.
Hence keeping the chicken in a sealed container outside also will not help. The same duration rule applies in this scenario as well. You cannot keep the chicken at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
If the room temperature is 90 degrees F and more, it is advised to keep it for only an hour.
There is one exception to this, which is the canned chicken that is bought in the store. It is also processed and cooked. The expiration date is something that has to be observed compulsorily.
Can You Eat Cooked Chicken If Left Outside Overnight?
Cooked chicken left overnight would have absorbed bacteria, rendering it dangerous to eat. The leftover chicken left overnight has to be discarded in the first place without any second thought.
There may be obvious signs that indicate it has gone bad, or it may not look like it has been spoiled. Avoiding it is the best way forward, as there is a high chance of flooding it with bacteria.
Refrigeration And Freezing Chicken
Refrigerating or freezing chicken is the best way to store the chicken by all means. Since keeping the chicken at room temperature for a long time is not very advisable, the solution is to latch on to the help of the refrigerator.
It does not matter if the chicken is cooked or thawed; shoving it in the fridge will definitely prolong its shelf life by many days.
How Long Can The Cooked Chicken Be Kept In The Freezer?
Keeping it at room temperature is best avoided. So if you have to cook the chicken, it can be kept in the freezer. It can be taken out from the freezer whenever you want to cook and thaw it immediately.
The chicken is kept in the freezer for 2 to 3 months without any hassles. Just make sure that the chicken is placed in an air-tight container.
How Long Can Cooked Chicken Last in the Fridge?
If your chicken is cooked, it will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. However, if your chicken is raw, it has to be cooked within 3 to 4 days of its purchase date.
Place the cooked chicken in an air-tight container and keep it in the fridge for a maximum of 4 days. Please reheat and cook it immediately after the period of 4 days without any delay.
When Should The Cooked Chicken Be Stored In The Fridge?
The cooked chicken is rested for a few minutes until it turns tepid and then eaten immediately. If you need to keep it any longer, then sealing it in a container and placing it in the fridge will serve the purpose. It can be kept in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
However, we have to ensure it is immediately shifted from room temperature to fridge within 2 hours. If you need to take it outside within 3 or 4 hours, it can still be stored in the fridge and taken outside to be reheated.
This way, you can avoid exposing the chicken to the outside air and save it from eventual contamination.
Thawing A Chicken
This is an exceptional case where the chicken is taken outside the freezer and kept in the fridge to be defrosted. Sometimes it is also placed in cold water for a considerable time until it fully defrosts.
It can also be microwaved to get thawed immediately. Hence, even when defrosting a chicken, it mustn’t be kept at room temperature at any cost.
Conclusion
We all know keeping the chicken at room temperature for a long time is unsafe. However, how long is too long has been an inexplicable question that needs contemplation.
This article perfectly answers that dilemma and the factors that revolve around the topic. Since we have covered enough bases around this concept, it will be an interesting read to make an informed decision while storing your chicken next time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is it very important to know how long the chicken can be kept out?
It is very important to know the allowed timeline for the chicken to be kept at room temperature because the chicken becomes more vulnerable to the bacteria breeding in them. As soon as it is exposed to the external environment, the microbes from the air start floating around its surface, completely contaminating the meat beyond consumption.
How long can the cooked chicken be kept out at room temperature?
Cooked chicken can sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours. However, if the room temperature is around 90 degrees F, 1 hour would be too much before it turns bad.
Will it help if the cooked chicken is in a sealed container?
Sometimes people wonder whether they can keep the chicken in a sealed container. Unfortunately, this will not make any difference whatsoever. If the chicken is kept at room temperature, even in the sealed container, the moisture outside will contaminate the meat and swamp the surface with microbes in that case as well.
Can you eat cooked chicken if left outside overnight?
Cooked chicken left overnight would have absorbed bacteria, rendering it dangerous to eat. The leftover chicken left overnight has to be discarded in the first place without any second thought.
How Long Can Cooked Chicken Last in the Fridge?
If your chicken is cooked, it will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. However, if your chicken is raw, it has to be cooked within 3 to 4 days of its purchase date. Place the cooked chicken in an air-tight container and keep it in the fridge for a maximum of 4 days.
