Is chicken safe to eat if left out for 3 hours?

As per the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), cooked chicken can be left at room temperature for up to 2 hours. After this time, it should be refrigerated to prevent bacterial growth. For chicken that has been cooked and then left out for more than 2 hours, the USDA recommends discarding it to avoid the risk of food poisoning.

It's important to make sure that cooked chicken is cooled to room temperature quickly, to prevent the growth of bacteria. This can be done by:

- Dividing the chicken into smaller portions.

- Placing the chicken in a shallow container.

- Refrigerating the chicken uncovered.

Cooked chicken that has been stored properly can be kept for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, or up to 3-4 months in the freezer.