How long can raw chicken rest?

We’ve all done it: running home from the supermarket, putting down our shopping bags, only to realize hours later that we left our groceries on the counter.

But what about that package of raw chicken you bought? You might be tempted to stick it in the fridge, after all, what harm can it do?

But how long can raw chicken sit out?

Raw chicken can only be left out of the refrigerator for a maximum of two hours, or only one hour if the temperature is above 90°F. After this time, raw chicken is no longer safe to eat and should be thrown away.

But why is chicken so risky? We have all the answers and more for you.

We’ll also look at how to safely store raw chicken and give you some tips on what to do if you can’t refrigerate raw chicken right away after buying it.

How long can raw chicken be?

Today, we are all very aware of food safety and we would not consider eating or serving something that could be out of date.

However, raw chicken can only be left out for a maximum of two hours before being discarded, and this is reduced to one hour in warmer temperatures.

Think about it: an hour. Only one hour to finish your purchase at the store, pay for it at the register, pack the shopping bags, get home, undo the purchase and put the chicken in the fridge.

And that’s if you’re not late or have other errands to run!

But the guidelines for raw chicken are very clear: within two hours (or one if you’re in a warmer region) your raw chicken should be stored in the fridge or freezer.

Why does raw chicken go bad so quickly?

There are two factors that cause raw chicken to go bad quickly if left out:

Temperature

At temperatures of 40°F and above, bacteria and microorganisms begin to multiply 4-5 times faster.

This allows toxic bacteria to reproduce to the point that raw chicken is rotten and completely inedible.

air exposure

Exposure of raw chicken to air can create a density of bacteria at levels twice or more than raw chicken stored in a closed container.

What happens when raw chicken is left out for too long?

Initially, you may not notice that there is anything wrong with your raw chicken if it has only been left out for a few hours. However, that is plenty of time for the bacteria to multiply to levels that cause foodborne illness.

At this point, the chicken is no longer safe to eat: some of these bacteria are not destroyed during the cooking process, and there is a high risk of food poisoning.

Chilling or freezing raw chicken will also only slow down the reproduction of bacteria, but not kill it.

Once the bacteria have multiplied to these levels, it won’t take long for raw chicken to turn slimy and putrid and begin to rot.

Health problems caused by raw chicken

So what can happen if you accidentally cook some raw chicken that has started to go bad? Unfortunately, when cooked it may look tasty and delicious, but some nasty bacteria may be lurking just under the surface….

Cooking meat that has gone bad does not destroy bacteria and microorganisms, and these can cause serious health problems such as gastrointestinal upset, joint pain, chills, and fever.

Here are some of the hidden dangers that lurk in raw chicken and the problems they can cause:

• Pseudomonas - chills, fever and joint pain.
• Putrefaciens - urinary tract infections, nausea and vomiting.
• Salmonella - diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
• Escherichia coli - kidney failure.

Although most healthy people can ingest small amounts of these bacteria and microorganisms without ill effect, other people may be more susceptible.

People with compromised immune systems, pregnant women, young children, and the elderly can become seriously ill from eating spoiled chicken.

How can you tell if raw chicken is bad?

The quick answer is that you can’t always tell if raw chicken is bad.

Raw chicken left out for an hour or two may look, smell and feel completely normal, but harmful bacteria and microorganisms will have already multiplied to the point where the chicken is unfit to eat.

When in doubt, throw it away!

But what if you’re not sure how long raw chicken has been sitting out? Perhaps another family member removed it by accident? There are some tell-tale signs that raw chicken has gone bad and is rotting:

Smell

Rotten raw chicken gives off a characteristic sulfur smell when it goes bad. This odor is caused by the spoilage of the meat due to dangerous bacteria. Fresh, raw chicken should have a very mild odor or none at all.

Color

Raw chicken that is rotten will have a green or gray tinge to the meat, and the fat will start to turn yellow. Fresh raw chicken will be light pink in color, with bits of white fat.

It is normal for the pink color to fade or darken as part of the normal aging process of the meat.

Texture

Changes in texture are a telltale sign that raw chicken has started to go bad.

Rotten chicken will feel slimy, sticky or sticky to the touch, indicating that bacteria are building up on the surface of the chicken and tissue breakdown is taking place.

Fresh raw chicken has a soft, dry and shiny texture.

Remember: you may not see any of these signs that raw chicken has gone bad, but that doesn’t mean it’s edible. If you have any doubt, throw it out and find something else to eat.

How to Safely Leave Raw Chicken at Room Temperature

Let’s hope we haven’t put you off entirely when it comes to chicken: think of the deliciousness of a whole golden roast chicken, deliciously juicy BBQ legs and wings, or a hearty chicken salad !

If you have raw chicken in the store or in the fridge, you may need to leave it out at room temperature for a while. Let’s see the best way to do it safely:

Time

The absolute maximum time raw chicken can sit outside is two hours at temperatures below 90°F, and one hour at temperatures above 90°F.

Remember that this is the maximum time: the sooner you put the raw chicken in the fridge or oven, the better.

Some recipes call for the meat to be at room temperature at the beginning of the cooking process. This helps the chicken cook evenly from the start.

A whole chicken can be taken out of the fridge half an hour before cooking, and smaller pieces of chicken will only need 15 minutes.

If you buy the chicken at the store, make the butcher counter your last stop and transport the chicken home immediately afterwards.

Temperature

The room temperature is essential to know how long the chicken can be safely. It may seem like it’s hot, but on a sunny day it’s not unrealistic to hit 90 degree temperatures, especially on a work surface near a sunny window.

Keep the room temperature as low as possible, taking advantage of cool shaded areas for raw chicken. Store-bought chicken can be chilled with frozen produce, ice packs, or a cool box in the car on the drive home.

Packing

Remember that it’s not just warm temperatures that cause raw chicken to go bad: exposure to air is also a factor. Keep raw chicken covered at all times, ideally in an airtight bag or container.

A smart tip is to place the chicken on a plate in the fridge, in or under the container. When you take the raw chicken out of the fridge, the plate will help keep it cold until you’re ready to cook it.

Plus, it will catch any juices that leak from the chicken!

How long can chicken be in the fridge?

The general rule of thumb is that raw chicken can stay in the fridge for up to two days before cooking or freezing.

It should be stored in an airtight container or bag at the bottom of the refrigerator, to avoid contamination of other foods.

Now, that’s not a long time: if you bought the chicken this morning, you have to cook it for dinner tonight or tomorrow, otherwise it may be past!

Given the short lead time, it may be wise to freeze raw chicken fresh if you don’t plan to cook it the same day.

What is the best way to preserve raw chicken?

The best way to store raw chicken depends on how soon you plan to eat it:

• Room temperature - raw chicken that will cook or freeze within an hour.
• Refrigerator - raw chicken to be cooked or frozen within 48 hours.
• Freezer - long-term storage of chicken up to a year.

Is it safe to eat chicken that has been left out overnight?

No, it is not safe to eat chicken that has been left out overnight. It may look, smell and feel good, but you have no way of knowing how many bacteria have started to multiply in the meat.

When in doubt, throw it away!

Related questions

Now that we’ve seen what to consider when storing raw chicken, let’s answer a few related questions!

How long can raw chicken be kept in the freezer?

The best way to store raw chicken is in the freezer: the freezing method allows it to be kept for much longer without spoiling.

In the freezer, chicken remains safe to eat indefinitely, although its quality will deteriorate over time.

Smaller pieces of raw chicken will retain their flavor and texture for up to 9 months, and whole chickens for up to 1 year in the freezer.

Protect raw chicken from freezer burn by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap, storage bags, aluminum foil, or airtight storage containers.

How do you defrost raw chicken?

Frozen raw chicken should be thawed under refrigerated conditions, such as a refrigerator or a cold water bath. Thawing raw chicken at room temperature can cause the chicken to spoil and rot.

The ideal way to defrost raw chicken is overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, raw chicken can stay in the fridge for 1-2 days before cooking.

If you want to eat the chicken the same day, thaw it in a bowl of cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes to keep it fresh. This method takes approximately 2-3 hours to completely defrost a whole chicken.

Chicken can also be defrosted using the microwave’s defrost setting, but must be cooked immediately afterward. This is because the microwave will start to heat up the chicken and the bacteria will multiply rapidly.

How long can chicken sit out to thaw?

Frozen chicken should not be left out for more than 2 hours . If more time passes, the meat can become contaminated and start to rot.

It’s always best to thaw frozen chicken in the fridge, but if that’s not possible, it can be left out for short periods at room temperature. Make sure it is in an airtight container, in a cool place and out of direct sunlight.

How long does cooked chicken keep?

Cooked chicken can be kept in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge . If you’ve bought raw chicken and can’t freeze it, cooking it is an easy way to extend its shelf life.

Cooked chicken can also be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months. However, cooked chicken can quickly deteriorate in flavor and texture in the freezer, and must be carefully packaged to protect it from freezer burn.

Is it necessary to cover raw chicken in the fridge?

Raw chicken should be kept covered in the refrigerator to prevent contamination from other foods. Bacteria from uncooked food can easily circulate in the air and contaminate cooked food.

Uncovered food also absorbs and transmits flavors and odors to other foods in the fridge.

Some cooks and recipes advocate leaving raw chicken uncovered in the fridge overnight to dry out the skin and make it crispier after roasting.

This sounds delicious, but we’re not sure it’s worth the risk of contaminating the other foods in your fridge.

How can I safely handle raw chicken?

Many of us get a little queasy at the thought of handling raw meat, and it’s important to take extra care to avoid any cross contamination.

Before handling raw chicken, make sure your hands are clean or wear a clean pair of oven mitts . Use utensils and cutting boards dedicated to raw meat to prevent the transfer of bacteria to other foods.

Once you’ve finished handling the chicken, make sure the work surface and utensils used are thoroughly cleaned. You also have to clean the refrigerator shelf where the chicken has been stored, and its container.

Lastly, wash your hands well with soap or hand soap.