Is it okay to eat chicken that’s been left out overnight on the counter? My husband says it’s probably fine, but I want to make sure it’s safe for the kids. Check 1st comment 👇

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## Why This Question Comes Up So Often

Life happens.

Dinner gets cooked late.
Someone forgets to put leftovers away.
Everyone goes to bed tired.

The next morning, there it is: a plate or pot of chicken sitting quietly on the counter.

It smells fine.
It looks normal.
It doesn’t feel slimy.

So… is it really dangerous?

This is where food safety science and human experience collide.

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## The Golden Rule of Food Safety

According to food safety guidelines worldwide, **cooked chicken should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours**.

If the room is warm (above 90°F / 32°C), that time drops to **1 hour**.

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