✔ Updated · the 2-hour rule (1 hour above 90°F)
Raw and cooked chicken can safely sit out for no more than 2 hours. Here is why the rule exists, what changes on a hot day, and what to do with chicken that was left out too long.
Chicken, raw or cooked, should not sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F, such as at a picnic or in a hot car. After that, bacteria can multiply to unsafe levels in the 40°F to 140°F danger zone, so throw it away. Reheating does not make it safe.
- Room temperature: 2 hours max, raw or cooked.
- Above 90°F: 1 hour max.
- Left out overnight: throw it away, even if it looks and smells fine.
- Safe zones: keep it cold at 40°F or below, or hot at 140°F or above.
How Long Chicken Can Sit Out: At a Glance
These limits follow USDA food safety guidance. The 2 hours is the total time out of the fridge, so count the time spent shopping, serving and sitting on the table.
| Chicken | Room temperature (up to 90°F) | Above 90°F | In the fridge (40°F or below) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw chicken | 2 hours | 1 hour | 1 to 2 days |
| Cooked chicken | 2 hours | 1 hour | 3 to 4 days |
| Chicken salad, sandwiches and wraps | 2 hours | 1 hour | 3 to 4 days |
| Rotisserie or takeout chicken | 2 hours from pickup | 1 hour | 3 to 4 days |
| Frozen chicken thawing on the counter | Not recommended | Not recommended | Thaw in the fridge instead |
Why Chicken Can Only Sit Out for 2 Hours
Bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and Staphylococcus aureus grow fastest between 40°F and 140°F, a range the USDA calls the danger zone. At room temperature, their numbers can double in as little as 20 minutes.
On a hot day, above 90°F, they multiply even faster, which is why the limit drops to 1 hour. You can't see, smell or taste most of these bacteria, so chicken that looks fine can still make you sick.
Can Cooked Chicken Sit Out Overnight?
No. Cooked chicken left out overnight has been in the danger zone for far longer than 2 hours and should be thrown away, even if it looks and smells normal.
Reheating doesn't fix it. Cooking to 165°F kills most bacteria, but some, like Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, make toxins that heat doesn't destroy. When in doubt, throw it out.
How Long Can Raw Chicken Sit Out?
Raw chicken follows the same 2-hour rule, or 1 hour above 90°F. Bring it home from the store quickly, ideally in an insulated bag, and refrigerate it right away. Raw chicken keeps 1 to 2 days in the fridge, or freeze it for longer storage.
Don't leave frozen chicken on the counter to thaw. The outside warms into the danger zone long before the center thaws.
How to Thaw Chicken Safely
- In the fridge (best): allow about 1 day for chicken pieces and 1 to 2 days for a whole chicken. It then keeps 1 to 2 more days before cooking.
- In cold water: seal it in a leak-proof bag, submerge it in cold tap water and change the water every 30 minutes. Allow about 30 minutes per pound, then cook right away.
- In the microwave: use the defrost setting and cook immediately, since parts may start to cook.
- From frozen: you can cook chicken without thawing; it takes about 50% longer.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Chicken
Not sure if your chicken is cooked through in the first place? See how to tell if chicken is done.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking, in shallow airtight containers so they cool quickly.
- Eat refrigerated cooked chicken within 3 to 4 days, or freeze it for about 4 months for best quality.
- Reheat leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer in the thickest part.
- Keep chicken for a buffet or party hot at 140°F or above (slow cooker, chafing dish or warm oven) or cold on ice at 40°F or below.
Common Mistakes
- Leaving chicken out to cool completely before refrigerating it. Hot food can go straight into the fridge in shallow containers.
- Forgetting the time chicken spent in the car or on the table.
- Thawing frozen chicken on the counter overnight.
- Trusting the sniff test. Most food poisoning bacteria don't change the smell or look of chicken.
- Packing chicken sandwiches or salads for a picnic without a cooler and ice packs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can cooked chicken sit out?
Cooked chicken can sit out at room temperature for up to 2 hours, or 1 hour if it is above 90°F. After that, refrigerate it or throw it away. Bacteria multiply quickly between 40°F and 140°F, and reheating will not destroy every toxin they produce.
Can cooked chicken sit out overnight?
No. Cooked chicken left out overnight should be thrown away, even if it looks and smells fine. It has spent many hours in the 40°F to 140°F danger zone, and some bacteria make heat-resistant toxins that reheating to 165°F will not remove.
How long can raw chicken sit out?
Raw chicken should be out of the fridge for no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F. Refrigerate it as soon as you get home, keep it 1 to 2 days, and never thaw frozen chicken on the counter. Thaw it in the fridge or in cold water instead.
How long can a chicken sandwich sit out?
A chicken sandwich or wrap follows the same rule: 2 hours at room temperature, or 1 hour above 90°F. For lunches and picnics, pack it in an insulated bag or cooler with ice packs so it stays at 40°F or below until you eat it.
Can you eat chicken left out for 3 hours?
It is not recommended. After 2 hours at room temperature, bacteria may have reached unsafe levels, and you can't tell by smell or look. USDA guidance is to discard perishable food like chicken left out longer than 2 hours, or 1 hour in heat above 90°F.
