There is a time limit for cooked chicken left out overnight, and it is usually no more than 4 hours. What it actually means is that you can eat your chicken if you left it outside for a couple of hours, and maximum for 4 hours. It is still a good idea to throw it away if it was out in the open for 4 hours.hat it actually means is that you can eat your chicken if you left it outside for a couple of hours, and maximum for 4 hours. It is still a good idea to throw it away if it was out in the open for 4 hours.