Is It Safe to Eat Leftover Chicken? What You Need to Know

When in Doubt, Throw It Out

It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
If:

• The meat has been out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour in hot conditions),
• It’s been exposed to warm or humid air,
• You’re not sure how long it’s been sitting, or
• It smells off, feels slimy, or just seems “off” in any way —

then the best choice is to throw it away.