Will you get sick from eating cooked chicken after sitting out all night if heated up to temperature?

It's not recommended to eat cooked chicken that has been sitting out at room temperature for an extended period, even if you heat it up to a safe temperature. Here's why:

* Bacteria Growth: Even though you're reheating the chicken, bacteria like Salmonella can multiply rapidly at room temperature. Heating the chicken to a safe temperature (165°F/74°C) may kill some bacteria, but it doesn't eliminate all of them.

* Spores: Some bacteria, like Clostridium perfringens, produce spores that can survive even at high temperatures. When the food is reheated, the spores can germinate and release toxins that cause illness.

* Toxins: Even if bacteria are killed during reheating, they may have already produced toxins in the chicken while it was at room temperature. These toxins are heat-stable and won't be destroyed by reheating.

What to do instead:

* Refrigerate promptly: Cooked chicken should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking (or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F/32°C).

* Don't let it sit out for more than 2 hours: The "danger zone" for food safety is between 40°F and 140°F (4°C and 60°C). Bacteria grow quickly within this temperature range.

* Reheat thoroughly: If you must reheat chicken that has been sitting out, reheat it to at least 165°F/74°C, making sure the internal temperature is consistent throughout.

If you have concerns about food safety, it's always best to err on the side of caution and discard any chicken that has been sitting out at room temperature for an extended period.