How long can a rotisserie chicken sit out?

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how long can a rotisserie chicken sit out” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of rotisserie chicken at room temperature. Moreover, we are going to discuss the shelf life of rotisserie chicken in the fridge and freezer along with different ways to spot bad chicken.

So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.

How long can a rotisserie chicken sit out?

Rotisserie chicken lasts for about 2 hours when kept at room temperature. 

You should discard the rotisserie chicken that has been left in open for more than 2 hours as bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, therefore there are greater chances of the rotisserie chicken being already contaminated with bacteria when left out for more than 2 hours.

Moreover, if the temperature of the surroundings is about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, then the process of spoilage takes place at a faster pace and it is recommended to discard rotisserie chicken that is left out in the open for more than an hour at 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Shelf life of rotisserie chicken in the fridge

Rotisserie chicken lasts for about 3-4 days if stored at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the fridge according to the standards set by the USDA. 

Moreover, as chicken is a highly perishable commodity therefore care should be taken while handling, storing, and cooking it.

Shelf life of rotisserie chicken in the freezer

Rotisserie chicken, if kept wrapped in aluminum foil in an air-tight container or air-tight plastic freezer bag, can last for about 4 months in the freezer. 

Thus keeping the rotisserie chicken in the freezer will increase its shelf life considerably owing to the cool temperature of the freezer that halts the bacterial growth on the rotisserie chicken.

Frozen rotisserie chicken if thawed in the refrigerator can stay there for 3-4 days before reheating and consuming it.

But if you thaw your rotisserie chicken in a bowl of cold water or the microwave, it is advised to consume it immediately after heating them till its internal temperature rises to 165 °F.

It is worth mentioning that the figures mentioned above are the estimated shelf life of rotisserie chicken.

You can read the nutritional profile of the chicken here.

Tips to store rotisserie chicken

1. You should always store your rotisserie chicken at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, therefore it is always advised to store your rotisserie chicken at a lower temperature to preserve their freshness for a long time.

2. It is recommended to store your rotisserie chicken by breaking it down into smaller pieces (breast, thigh, leg piece, etc) and keeping it in a shallow air-tight container on the shelf of your fridge.

3. It is recommended to store rotisserie chicken on one of the shelves of the refrigerator rather than the door as there are a lot of temperature fluctuations at the door of the fridge.

4. You can further prolong the shelf life of the rotisserie chicken by wrapping it in the heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer bag and storing it in the freezer.

Different ways to spot bad chicken

There are a couple of indicators that point out bad chicken. You should consider the appearance, texture, and smell of the chicken to reach a  final verdict on whether or not they have gone bad.

Appearance

If you spot a mold or other organic growth on your rotisserie chicken then it means that your rotisserie chicken has gone bad and the best thing you can do in this scenario is to get rid of it.

Color 

If you notice that the chicken has off colors (greenish-grey or brown) then it is an indication that your chicken has gone bad and it is better to discard it.

Several factors can be responsible for a change in the color of the chicken and that includes light, oxidation reactions, temperature, and bacterial contamination. 

Texture 

If you feel something slimy or gooey while touching the chicken then it means that your chicken has gone bad and it is better to discard them. 

But keep one thing in mind that rinsing the chicken won’t help you in this scenario as you won’t be able to get rid of the bacteria. Rinsing the bacteria-laden chicken will put you at risk of cross-contamination as the bacteria will spread in the utensils and other food items that will come in contact with the water from the chicken that has gone bad.

It is worth mentioning that you should wash your hands thoroughly after touching the bacteria-laden chicken or else the bacteria will transfer from your hands to any other thing that comes in contact with your hands.

Smell 

If you smell something sour or ammonia-like while taking a sniff test of your chicken then it means that your chicken has gone bad.

If microbes somehow found their way to your chicken and have spoiled it then the best thing you should do is to discard it.

Other FAQs about Chicken that you may be interested in.

Can you cook raw chicken breast in a toaster oven?

Can chickens eat eggs?

Can chickens have milk?

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “how long can a rotisserie chicken sit out” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of rotisserie chicken at room temperature. Moreover, we discussed the shelf life of rotisserie chicken in the fridge and freezer along with different ways to spot bad chicken.

Citations

https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/16799#:~:text=How%20long%20does%20cooked%20rotisserie%20chicken%20last%20at%20room%20temperature,2%20hours%20at%20room%20temperature.

https://www.stilltasty.com/questions/index/211