How Long Should I Cool a Chicken Pie Casserole Before Refrigerating?

Do not leave chicken casserole pies out for too long in case bacteria multiply.

Cooling Food Down

According to the U.K,'s Food Standards Agency, you should cool all food before refrigerating. Putting a still hot/warm dish in the refrigerator will raise the overall temperature, creating a greater risk of bacteria growth. Two hours is usually enough for a chicken pie to cool down.

Beware the Bacteria

Help with Cooking argues that leaving leftover food such as chicken for too long can lead to bacteria multiplying, and most modern refrigerators can cope with warm food without raising their overall temperature. The website recommends dividing the food into smaller portions before refrigerating for them to cool down quickly.

Bottom Line

The chicken pie should be cool before refrigerating, but beware of leaving it out for too long. Dividing it into portions will help cool it down faster.

References

• Help with Cooking: Refrigeration Tips - How to Store Food
• Food Standards Agency: Food That Goes in the Fridge