How long can frozen chicken be left out on counter before it goes bad?

Answer 1

There's no way that anyone can answer that for you. There are too many variables - mass of the chicken, temperature of the environment, amount and type of microbes on the chicken, packaging, etc.

Chicken should be thawed in the refrigerator, not on the counter. If quick-thaw methods are used (water, microwave), the chicken should be cooked right after thawing.

Answer 2

Two days in the fridge is about it, and after that (even cooked chicken) "when it doubt, throw it out!"

As long as the ckicken has stayed within proper temperature ranges (ie. under 40 degress F) it can last longer. Two days is cutting the food life short. Health department standards would allow for at least 4 days after it is cooked. It is not a static number though, it is upto each restaurant how long they keep it, they just have to be consistant to satisfy the health dept. In fact (in Kansas), frozen raw product that is thawed has no specific shelf life. Once it has been prepared it needs a date and time. The colder you keep the product - above 32 but below 40 - the longer it can last. Most meat drawers in refrigerators are colder than the rest of the space in the fridge so storage in a meat drawer will help. As long as the meat was not already bad, cooking it extends its life for another 3 to 4 days or so.

Keep the meat from sitting in it's own juices (in drip pans) and keep out air and light.

Answer 3

You should keep frozen chicken in the freezer no longer than 6 months, then keep thawed chicken in the refrigerator no longer than 48 hours before cooking it or you run the risk of the chicken going bad.

Answer 4

3 hours at the most yeah i agree about 3 hours depending if it is a whole body or not

Answer 5

you should never let it sit out on the counter. Take it out the day before and let sit in the fridge over night

Answer 6

It should not be left out. Frozen chicken should be thawed under refrigeration. If you choose to use a quick thaw method (water bath, microwave), then cook it immediately upon thawing.

Answer 7

It usually goes bad after a few days in the refrigerator. If you buy in bulk break the chicken down into freezer bags so you can take some out as needed.

Answer 8

Up to 2 years if kept in the freezer.

Answer 9

3 days

Answer 10

3 months