Most people enjoy a rotisserie chicken because it is a convenient meal. How long can it be left unrefrigerated to become unsafe to eat? Learn how you can store and handle rotisserie chicken to avoid foodborne diseases and enjoy your meal without anxiety.
This article will be addressing specific time limits on how long to leave rotisserie chicken out, the dangers associated with them, and also some critical safety tips.
How Long Does Rotisserie Chicken Survive Out?
Experts agree that perishable foods, such as rotisserie chicken, only remain unsafe at room temperatures for two hours. After that point in time, chicken is more likely to contain Salmonella or Campylobacter bacteria, the microorganisms causing most food poisoning cases.
Temperature Danger Zone: Bacteria multiply between 40° F, or 4° C, and 140° F, or 60° C, known as the “danger zone.” If chicken sits in this temperature for too long, it is in a bacterial multiplying temperature range.
Extended Time: Discard rotisserie chicken if it remains at room temperature for longer than two hours or one hour if its temperature is above 90 degrees F or 32 degrees C. Heating even the chicken won’t remove those toxins.
Always ensure the chicken stays in safe temperatures, so either refrigerate it or consume it in that two-hour window to avoid getting food poisoning.
How To Store Rotisserie Chicken Safely?
You can consume rotisserie chicken only if you store it properly. So, after dinner or any other meal, you should better put all leftovers in the refrigerator as soon as possible in order to have no further growth of bacteria. Here’s how to do it:
Refrigeration: Store leftover rotisserie chicken in the refrigerator within two hours. The refrigerator should be at 40°F (4°C) or less. The chicken should be placed in an airtight container, covered with foil or plastic wrap, as this keeps it moist and guards it from other food smells.
Freezing: Freeze it if you do not intend to consume the chicken for 3-4 days. Wrap the chicken tightly in freezer-safe packaging to avoid freezer burn. You can freeze a rotisserie chicken up to four months without losing their quality.
Leftover Safety: If you reheat rotisserie chicken, be certain that the inner temperature will attain at least 165°F (75°C). This will ensure that all bacteria have developed in the chicken and are dead as well.
In the case of proper chicken storage, its shelf life will be prolonged and all risks of spoiled food will be avoided.
Why Leaving Rotisserie Chicken Out For Prolonged Time Is Risky?
Letting rotisserie chicken sit out for longer than it should will have severe health implications. And here’s why.
Bacterial Growth: Exposing chicken to temperatures in the range of room temperature for more than two hours places it in the so-called “danger zone” wherein bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli multiply rapidly, whether it looks or smells normal, toxins from bacteria have already been developed.
Toxin Production: Some pathogens, like Staphylococcus, produce heat-resistant toxins. This means the toxins will still be there if you reheat them after letting the chicken sit for a while. So even when reheating the chicken, stomach upset is already in the offing.
Foodborne Illness Symptoms: Common symptom consumers of contaminated chicken suffer from is nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. They may show such symptoms within hours after consumption of the contaminated food and last for a number of days.
Observe proper safety rules while cooking to avoid falling prey to that potential foodborne illness and to enjoy your meal safely.
How Long Can You Reheat Overnight Rotisserie Chicken?
Most wonder if they can reheat rotisserie chicken left outside overnight. Sorry, but the answer is “no.” Any chicken left at room temperature for more than two hours should be discarded.
Bacterial Spread: Even if a few of the bacteria are killed when reheated, this does not kill their toxins. Thus, the toxins that accompany the bacteria can be there in the chicken even after the reheat. This causes food poisoning even after it has been reheated.
Health Risks: It is a must to discard chicken even if it stays overnight; when it is much tempting to save it. The risk is highly probable with serious health consequences.
Finally, when it comes to food safety, play by the safe side; that is, more than two hours is definitely the end for your rotisserie chicken.
General signs indicating your rotisserie chicken has spoiled.
Signs of Spoiled Rotisserie Chicken
You can store them properly, but you need to know how to identify spoiled chicken anyway. A rotisserie chicken spoiled might still pose some health risks; here’s what to look for:
Off Odor: One of the clearest telltale signs of a chicken gone bad is its awful or sour smell. If it smells funny or pungent, then it is spoiled and should be thrown away.
Texture: Fresh chicken must be firm. Chicken that is sticky or slimy is well toward the end of its freshness lifetime and should not be eaten.
Color Changes: Even though rotisserie chickens are generally well-done, golden brown in color, any changes in color like turning gray or greenish indicate that it has become spoiled. There is a strong need to avoid consuming chicken having any colour changes.
Mold: If you find an appearance of mold on the chicken, reject it. This usually indicates that the chicken is not safe to be consumed.
Knowing these signs will make you not consume spoiled chicken and reduce the possibilities of you contracting foodborne illness.
How To Reheat Leftover Rotisserie Chicken?
You have to reheat leftover rotisserie chicken in the right manner so that you are consuming a safe meal. Here’s what to consider:
Rewarm through: Before you serve it, the chicken’s internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). Use a food thermometer to get the temperature of the thickest part of the meat.
Microwave Method: Cover the chicken so that it will not dry out. Microwave on medium strength to help reheat the chicken. Keep mixing and turning the chicken so that even cooking can be achieved.
Oven Method: Put the chicken in a baking dish and some broth or water. Then cover it up with foil and bake until the right temperature at 350°F (175°C).
It is highly important that you heat your chicken correctly in order to ensure food safety and prevent any illness from happening.
Lastly, Rotisserie chicken should not be left to stay out for more than two hours at room temperature, and no more than an hour if the temperature has been unusually high. Foodborne illness may be prevented by storing your chicken properly in the fridge or freezer and reheating it to the proper temperature.