Hi Mamas. Last night, I baked two whole chickens (that I had brined) to eat the rest of the week. Unfortunately, neither my husband nor I remembered to put them in the fridge after they cooled! So, they sat, covered in the roasting pans, on top of the stove over night. I am so mad that I forgot about them! We put them in the fridge first thing this morning...but they had been out for about 9 hours.
My question: is there anyone who thinks it is okay to eat these chickens without fear of getting sick? As much as I HATE to waste food, I'm afraid that we could get ill from them. My husband thinks that we should eat them but not allow the kids to eat them (just in case). Am I over-reacting, or should I throw these chickens away?
Of course we threw them out! And, based on some of your comments, I was able to convince my husband not to try and eat them himself. Thanks everyone!!
I did a similar thing this weekend. Made a big pot of meaty stew and left it out over night. Also, hated to throw it out--but in the end did. I would throw the chickens away.
Sorry, K.
Yep, I second throwing them away. My sister was in the culinary arts for years and is a stickler for things like this. She would demand you throw them away if she were here answering instead of me. I know how you feel about wasting food but it honestly is a health hazard and needs to be taken seriously.
It definitely is no longer good eats. The microorganisms get to work right away. You never want to leave your food out to cool, it is better to put it right in the fridge. When in doubt throw it out!
I would throw them away. In my opinion, is a few dollars worth the possibility of someone getting food poisioning? I wouldn't risk it.
When in doubt, throw it out! Food poisoning is no picnic.
I wouldn't take the chance. If both you and your husband eat the chicken and do get sick together, who takes care of the children? Something to think about.
