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.
Education/Credentials BS - University of Illinois
MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Question I put a package of 4 raw frozen chicken breasts in the refrigerator last night to thaw, and this morning they were still pretty frozen so I put them in cold water at 7am and left for work. I came home to check on them at 9am and the water was out of the sick, so I put them in the refrigerator. I will be home at 4pm today, will they be safe to cook?
Answer Hi Carmen,
Chances are that since they were only at room temperature for 2 hours, the internal temperature of the chicken did not rise significantly to a level that rapidly supports the growth of bacteria.
Can I give you a 100% assurance of safety -- no. However, I feel your chances for illness are very, very low and as long as you cook the chicken to an internal temperature of at least 165 -- you should be safe.
