Final answer:
The shelf life of a Cuban sandwich, chilled rotisserie chicken, and fried chicken when refrigerated properly is 3 to 4 days. These perishable foods should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours to prevent bacterial growth. Jams and dried meats have a longer shelf life due to sugar and low moisture content, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the shelf life of various foods, such as a Cuban sandwich, chilled rotisserie chicken, and fried chicken, it's important to adhere to safe food storage practices to avoid foodborne illnesses. Foods meant to be hot should be kept hot until served, while foods meant to be cold should be kept refrigerated. Perishable leftovers, such as these mentioned foods, should be refrigerated as soon as possible, preferably within two hours after cooking to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
For a Cuban sandwich, if it contains perishable ingredients like meats and cheeses, it should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. If it is stored promptly in the refrigerator, it can typically last for 3 to 4 days. Similarly, chilled rotisserie chicken should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking. When stored properly in the refrigerator, it can last for 3 to 4 days as well. As for fried chicken, the same rules apply, and it should be refrigerated in a timely manner and can also last for 3 to 4 days when stored correctly.
It is not safe to eat leftovers that have been stored at room temperature for more than two hours, even if they are heated up well afterwards, because harmful bacteria may have proliferated to unsafe levels. Jams and dried meats often do not require refrigeration because the sugar in jams and the low moisture content in dried meats inhibit bacterial growth.