Is it OK if left out a pot of chicken soup and then put in the refrigerator?

It's not recommended to leave a pot of chicken soup out at room temperature for an extended period and then put it in the refrigerator.

Here's why:

* Bacteria Growth: Bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature. Leaving the soup out for too long allows bacteria to grow, which can make you sick.

* Food Safety: The "danger zone" for bacteria growth is between 40°F and 140°F (4°C and 60°C). Leaving soup out at room temperature falls within this range.

* Spoilage: Even if the soup doesn't make you sick, leaving it out for a long time can cause it to spoil and become unpleasant to eat.

Here's what you should do:

* Cool quickly: If you've left the soup out, try to cool it down as quickly as possible. You can do this by dividing it into smaller containers, putting them in an ice bath, or placing them in the refrigerator.

* Refrigerate within 2 hours: According to the USDA, it's safe to refrigerate food left out at room temperature for up to two hours (one hour if the temperature is above 90°F).

* Discard if necessary: If the soup has been left out for longer than two hours, it's best to discard it.

Always remember: When in doubt, throw it out! It's better to be safe than sorry.