How long could you leave Kentucky Fried Chicken out in the bucket?

Question

I went upstairs and left the bucket out on the table for 3 hours. It was freshly bought. It wasn't in the blazing sun. The house is average warm. Will it be okay? I put in the frig now.

Answer 1

I'd eat it too.  I've done this for years, leaving food out sometimes till 10:00 pm. from dinner cooked at 5 or 6.  Ive always reheated it though and I've never gotten sick.

Answer 2

Okay from a chef's point of view anything at room temp for more than 20 MINUTES  is thrown away, BUT we at home don't have lawsuits pending if someone gets ill so as long as it wasn't covered tight to trap the steam and condensation then you should be alright up to 4 hours at max but be sure to heat the h**l out of it when you eat it so that you kill any and all bacteria that DID form in the 3 hours it sat out. It is known that bacteria form within the first hour but if you reheat it properly you won't get ill....

But who's to say that the KFC won't make you more sick than a bacteria growing on the meat...?

Answer 3

Well, I'm sorry to say that you should discard it.  Even though it's cooked and in a somewhat moderate temperature as you described, I don't mess around with Chicken.  Spoiled, bacterialized chicken scares me because it can kill you.  You don't know the process and handling of that bucket before you got it, then to leave it out for 3 hrs. just hosts a myriad of questions to be answered that we just don't know. I'm sorry, but in my opinion, you should just throw it away.  

Answer 4

If you decide to keep it, and it probably IS ok, you should nuke it before eating it, just to be safe.  Not perfect, but at least a "pre-emptive strike" against being seriously ill.

Answer 5

Bacteria starts growing after 2 hours at room temp. It's a roll of the dice

Answer 6

Any food that is  a protein, or dairy should not be left out at room temperature for more than 1 hour.

The incident  of food poisoning reports and symptoms are at Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Why?  Because everyone eats and then goes and opens the presents. Or they leave the food out for the second feeding at half time or after celebrating.

If you are asking the question. You know the answer

When in doubt . throw it out.

Food poisoning can have serious side affects. Especially for older and younger aged people.

I have the board of health come speak at my school and they always tell this to the students.

chef robert

culinary instructor

author of chef robert presents romantic dinners for two

Answer 7

Dont worry, can still be eaten.

Answer 8

I'd eat it.  But then I have a strong stomach.

Now you got me hungry.  I'm going to snack on a little cheese before bed.

Answer 9

absolute amount of time is 2 hours. however, if it smells ok and tastes ok, i would go ahead and eat it asap. btw, how did you keep the cats from eating it all?

Answer 10

culinary schools teach 3-4 hours until the food goes into danger zone, so your good now that it's in the fridge after sitting out 3 hours.

Answer 11

4 hours

Answer 12

If the KFC didn't make you sick when you first ate it, it should be okay.