Preparing a meal for the family often begins with thawing chicken, but forgetting it on the kitchen counter overnight can quickly turn a simple mistake into a serious food safety concern. Although the chicken may still look and smell perfectly normal the next morning, harmful bacteria can multiply rapidly when raw poultry remains at room temperature for too long.

Food safety experts explain that raw chicken should not be left in the “danger zone”—between 40°F and 140°F (4°C and 60°C)—for more than two hours, or just one hour if the room is especially warm. During that time, bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter can grow to dangerous levels, even if there are no obvious signs of spoilage.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that cooking the chicken thoroughly will always make it safe again. While proper cooking can kill many bacteria, it may not eliminate toxins produced by certain microorganisms if they have multiplied extensively. Because you cannot tell whether chicken is safe by its appearance, smell, or texture alone, relying on those signs can be risky.

For families with young children, older adults, pregnant women, or anyone with a weakened immune system, the risk is even greater. Foodborne illnesses can cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and dehydration, making it especially important to follow safe food-handling practices. When in doubt, it is always safer to throw questionable chicken away than to risk making someone sick.

The safest way to thaw chicken is in the refrigerator, in cold water that is changed every 30 minutes, or in the microwave if it will be cooked immediately afterward. If raw chicken has been left on the counter overnight, the safest decision is to discard it rather than cook and serve it. Protecting your family’s health is always worth more than the cost of replacing the meat.