Left cooked chicken out too long (healthy, rotisserie, vegetables, grocery store)

[VTsnowbird]

I have been eating off a rotisserie chicken for a couple of days but the other day I left it out on the counter for 3.5 hours after eating. Duh. I had thoughts about using it to make soup, (boiling everything for at least 15 minutes). But I think I am just going to toss it. What would you do?

[evening sun]

I would use it, if you are going to boil it anyhow, that will kill germs.

[marino760]

I would use it too. 3.5 hours isn't a big deal IMO. It's not like it was out in the sun.

[Southern man]

Originally Posted by VTsnowbird

I have been eating off a rotisserie chicken for a couple of days but the other day I left it out on the counter for 3.5 hours after eating. Duh. I had thoughts about using it to make soup, (boiling everything for at least 15 minutes). But I think I am just going to toss it. What would you do?

Did you ever go to a church picnic and eat cold fried chicken?

[ClaraC]

I would use it too.

Especially since you're re-cooking it.

[rrah]

When it was the first day, I'd be fine leaving it out 3.5 hours. A chicken that was cooked a few days ago--no. That's me though.

[VTsnowbird]

I thought that too, but found this on the internet from USDA - Some types of bacteria also produce heat-resistant spores or toxins that can cause food poisoning. hmmm

[WMak70]

Originally Posted by VTsnowbird

I have been eating off a rotisserie chicken for a couple of days but the other day I left it out on the counter for 3.5 hours after eating. Duh. I had thoughts about using it to make soup, (boiling everything for at least 15 minutes). But I think I am just going to toss it. What would you do?

I don't know, I have had food poisoning and never want it again. The minor cost of tossing out some suspect food is nothing, compared to hanging over the porcelain God and throwing up all night.

I would not eat it.

[greatblueheron]

Originally Posted by WMak70

I don't know, I have had food poisoning and never want it again. The minor cost of tossing out some suspect food is nothing, compared to hanging over the porcelain God and throwing up all night.

I would not eat it.

Same here. I'm not that brave....vomiting is a horror I try to avoid...

[ClaraC]

In my observation, food poisoning usually results from eating things we fully believe are healthy - that is, raw, chopped vegetables.

Salad bars, pico de gallo, raw produce sold in grocery stores are the problem.

I know the USDA would have us only eat chicken salad by sticking our heads in the refrigerator and eating the salad in there, but in practicality, cooked foods that are re-cooked are seldom a problem, although they may lose appeal and taste kind of funky.