Cooked chicken can safely be left out at room temperature for up to 2 hours. If the ambient temperature is above 90°F (32°C), this safe window decreases to just 1 hour. Beyond these times, bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli can multiply rapidly, increasing the risk of foodborne illness
. The "danger zone" for bacterial growth is between 40°F and 140°F (4°C and 60°C), where bacteria can double every 20 minutes. Therefore, cooked chicken should either be kept hot (above 140°F) or refrigerated within the 2-hour limit to remain safe
. If cooked chicken has been left out longer than these recommended times, it is best to discard it to avoid potential food poisoning symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches
. In summary:
- Cooked chicken out at room temperature: maximum 2 hours
- If temperature is above 90°F: maximum 1 hour
- After these times, discard to prevent illness
This applies whether the chicken was freshly cooked or refrigerated and then left out. The clock starts once the chicken reaches above 40°F after removal from refrigeration
