You’ve just cooked a delicious batch of chicken but have no idea how long it can go unrefrigerated. Never fear! In this blog post, we will discuss the best practices for storing cooked chicken, and we’ll answer some commonly asked questions.
It is safe to keep cooked chicken unrefrigerated for up to three hours in hot and humid weather. You have more time, about nine hours, during winters, so it is best to discard cooked chicken that has been left at room temperature for more than two hours. Otherwise, you could easily suffer from food poisoning!
Also, do not store cooked chicken in its original packaging.
What Happens if I Eat Chicken That Was Left Out Overnight?
So, what happens if I eat chicken that was left out overnight? The answer is simple; you can get food poisoning.
If you leave cooked chicken out overnight, it can become a potential food safety hazard. Inevitably, bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter grow on meat left to sit at room temperature for several hours or overnight.
These bacterial growths will multiply into dangerous numbers if the meat remains out of the refrigerator long enough (Campylobacter can double in number every 20 minutes at room temperature.) The bacteria will contaminate any food that comes into contact with the chicken, causing severe illness if ingested.
Symptoms of food poisoning from these bacteria include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Cramps
In some cases, especially Campylobacter infections, people can also experience fever, headache, and muscle pain. If you develop one or more of these symptoms after eating chicken left out overnight, please seek medical attention.
According to the CDC, food poisoning is the leading cause of illness and death in America. Every year, 1 in 6 Americans is sickened by foodborne diseases. At least 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die every year from it!
Campylobacter causes most cases of food poisoning in the U.S., with Salmonella causing about 19%. In total, these two bacteria account for 76% of all foodborne illnesses.
So, the real danger of eating unrefrigerated cooked chicken is ingesting:
- Salmonella
- Campylobacter
- Other bacteria
Fungi can also grow on your food, but it’s not possible overnight. Thus, the concern is more on bacteria than fungus, though both can cause grievous food poisoning.
Is It Okay to Put Cooked Chicken Back in the Fridge?
People ask if it is okay to put cooked chicken back in the fridge because they don’t want their food to go bad. While people may assume that cooled leftovers are safe, the danger of bacteria growth remains.
The fact is, raw or undercooked meat can still have bacteria on it, and if you put cooked chicken back in the fridge, these bacteria will re-grow. So make sure to refrigerate your leftovers within two hours of cooking.
How Can You Tell if Chicken Left Unrefrigerated Has Gone Bad?
If you’ve ever left some chicken out on the counter and weren’t sure if it was safe to eat, you’re not alone. It can be tricky to determine whether or not the chicken has gone sour, but there are a few clues to consider. It all depends on the timelines and food handling.
The first thing to do is check the date on the package. Chicken that is more than a day old may have begun to spoil. Afterward, check the color of the meat and see if it has changed colors or odors at all since you purchased it.
It is probably spoiled if the chicken smells bad, even after intense cooking. It should have a light pinkish-gray color with an odor that is mild and not at all unpleasant.
If the meat looks dried out or has turned dark brown, it probably needs to be thrown away as well.
The last thing to check for is slime on the chicken. Slime indicates bacteria are already growing on the surface of the chicken, which could make you sick if consumed later down the line.
In general, the following are signs your unrefrigerated chicken went bad:
- The chicken may have a sour smell
- The meat might be discolored (e.g., pink, brown, black)
- There could be greenish slime on the meat or package
- The chicken might be bloated or have gas bubbles
- You may see mold growing on the meat or packaging
- If you cut into the chicken, it could look greasy or watery inside
If you’re still not sure if the chicken has gone bad or not, it’s always best to throw it away just to be safe. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to food poisoning!
How Should You Store Cooked Chicken?
As always, proper food handling can allow you to enjoy your leftovers. Bacteria can’t do well in extreme temperatures. You can keep the chicken hot, but not for extended durations because heating is costly. Only incur such expenses for cozy events or homely feasts with guests.
The best practice is to store cooked chicken in a sealed container or plastic bag. You can also wrap it tightly with aluminum foil. Afterward, you’ll need to store the sealed chicken in the refrigerator within an hour of cooking to ensure bacteria don’t grow on the meat, causing illness.
If you don’t get around to refrigerating your cooked chicken, there are things you can do to extend its shelf life. Remember, all these storage methods will only be effective for a few days after cooking the chicken.
The first way is to freeze your meat before the date it expires from refrigeration. This method works best when you freeze cooked chicken within two hours of taking it off the grill or out of the oven. You can safely store your chicken in a freezer for up to three months, at which point it will be safe for consumption once again.
The second way is to use an ice pack and place it next to your cooked meat while storing the wrapped food item on a shelf inside the refrigerator. This method works best when you’re not keeping the chicken in the refrigerator for more than 48 hours.
The third way is to place it outside your fridge inside a cooler with ice packs. This method can be effective if you have leftovers from a large meal. Remember, this strategy is best when you’re transporting food items for less than four hours.
The fourth way is to place the cooked chicken in a crockpot or slow cooker. This option will keep your food warm and safe to eat for up to four hours.
So, how should you store cooked chicken? It depends on the occasion and the reasons you need to extend the shelf-life of a deliciously cooked chicken meal. Remember, do not store cooked chicken in its original packaging.
Proper Food Handling and Refrigeration
You’re likely to eat some leftover chicken at home or in private settings. It would be improper for hotels and restaurants to do the same. They would be breaking health codes. If a business would like to reheat cooked chicken, they need to follow many rules and regulations that protect people from bacteria. The Department of Health in New York City provides some insight into these regulations.
There are fewer rules, codes, and standards telling you how to handle your leftover chicken at home. The general rule is that you shouldn’t let cooked chicken sit at room temperature for more than two hours, giving bacteria a chance to grow and make you sick.
After cooking the chicken, the USDA recommends putting it in the fridge within an hour. You can store it in a sealed container or plastic bag. You can also wrap it tightly with aluminum foil. The USDA also recommends reheating chicken to a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any bacteria.