AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Expert: Carol Schlitt Date: 7/1/2008 Subject: Chicken
Question I prepare a chicken for the crock pot from the fridge.
I notice that and hour and 15 minutes had past that I for got to plug in the crock pot. The chicken was cool to the touch in the crock pot. Is it OK eat ?
Answer Hi Mark,
Yes, the chicken should be okay. The general rule of thumb is that refrigerated or hot foods can be at room temperature for a maximum of 2 hours (1 hour if the temperature is over 90 degrees F). As your chicken came from the refrigerator and was at room temperature 1 and 1/4 hours, it is within this recommended time frame.
I suggest you set the crock pot on HIGH for the first hour of cooking, then set it to LOW for the remainder of the cooking time. This procedures for 1 hour HIGH/rest LOW is a general recommendation for all meats/poultry prepared in a crock pot. The HIGH setting assures a rapid rise in temperature ensuring a safe product.
