How long can cooked chicken be left out?

According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Cooked chicken can only be left out at room temperature for up to two hours before it becomes unsafe to consume. After two hours, the chicken will start to grow harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

To keep cooked chicken safe to eat, you should either refrigerate it within two hours or heat it to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours. You can also freeze cooked chicken for longer storage.