How long can chicken salad sit out of the refrigerator?

Here's why:

* Bacteria growth: Chicken salad is a perishable food that contains cooked chicken and mayonnaise, both of which are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria.

* Food safety: Leaving chicken salad out at room temperature for longer than two hours can lead to dangerous bacterial growth, which can cause foodborne illness.

* Temperature danger zone: The temperature range between 40°F and 140°F is called the "danger zone," where bacteria multiply rapidly.

To be safe, it's best to refrigerate chicken salad immediately after making or buying it, and to consume it within 3-5 days.