How long can chicken sit out of the refrigerator before going bad?

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), cooked chicken can be left out at room temperature for up to 2 hours. After 2 hours, the chicken should be discarded or refrigerated.

Raw chicken can be left out at room temperature for up to 1 hour. After 1 hour, the chicken should be discarded or refrigerated.

These time limits are based on the assumption that the chicken is stored at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. If the chicken is stored at a higher temperature, the spoilage time will be shorter.

To reduce the risk of foodborne illness, it is important to follow these guidelines and refrigerate or discard chicken that has been left out at room temperature for too long.