In November, social media food influencer Johnny Novo posted his top 10 grocery store rotisserie chickens, after a year of sampling the offerings of 100 stores across the United States. With more than 20 million views on his posts alone, not to mention the 36,000 other videos on TikTok, rotisserie chickens are once again in the spotlight. Whether you snack on it right out of the package, use it as an ingredient in a larger dish or both, these well-prepared birds are tasty, affordable and perfect for family meals.
Hot, ready and endlessly useful, the humble rotisserie chicken may be the smartest dinner shortcut in the grocery store. Photo credit: Depositphotos.
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People have been cooking meat on a spit for more than 1,000 years; adding rotation to more evenly cook dates back to the 1300s. Boston Market, then Boston Chicken, introduced rotisserie chicken to the masses in the 1990s as an alternative to other fast-food options, and grocery stores soon added it to their rotation. Prices range anywhere from $5.99 to more than $20, but even at the highest price, you’re still getting a fair amount of fowl for your funds.
In case you’re wondering, Novo’s top pick for grocery store rotisserie chicken is Fairway in New York City. Somewhat surprisingly, Walmart also ranks in his top 10.
Bird on the wire
Today, rotisserie chickens are a staple of many American family diets. Rather than hitting the drive-thru on the way home from a busy day at work and school, families can pick up an already deliciously cooked bird. Costco alone reported selling more than 137 million rotisserie chickens in 2023.
From package to platter takes only moments til you’re serving up something special, without breaking a sweat. It’s affordable and generally more nutritious than other options. Just be mindful of how much sodium is on the label. You get the flavorful taste of slow cooking without the hassle.
“I like to pick up rotisserie chicken from my local supermarket because it makes weeknight dinners easier,” shares Maike Corbett, founder of Cheerful Cook. “The chicken is already cooked and seasoned, so I can use it for tacos, soups or pasta recipes. It’s one of those shortcuts that makes busy days feel less overwhelming.”
“A rotisserie chicken is one of the most practical shortcuts in my kitchen,” adds Jessica Haggard with Primal Edge Health. “My biggest tip is to break it down while it’s still warm and save the bones for broth, because that one chicken can cover multiple meals with almost no extra effort.”
Stretching the wing span
Reduce waste by using the whole bird. The average rotisserie chicken yields around four cups of shredded or diced meat. Even if your family consumes half the bird at the first sitting, there’s plenty of protein for future use. Toss the extra meat in with salads, tacos or burritos. Stir in some pasta or fried rice. Mix in some veggies and crust for a homemade chicken pot pie, or take things up a notch with chicken pot pie soup.
Karen Kelly, a health coach and recipe developer with Seasonal Cravings, buys a bird or two for fast and easy meal prep. “My family loves having a rotisserie chicken on hand for quick meals during the week. We use it for tacos, wraps, salads, grain bowls, fried rice or on a brioche bun with barbecue sauce. I take all the meat off at the beginning of the week, and it’s ready to go.”
Robin Donovan at All Ways Delicious agrees. “I love to buy a rotisserie chicken on Sunday and then use it for multiple meals for the week. I’ll often make a big batch of chicken enchiladas with it the first night, and leftovers can stand in for another dinner or for lunches. With the chicken that’s left, I’ll make fried rice or chow mein, chicken salad sandwiches, quesadillas, tacos, or Southwest chicken salad.”
But there’s even more you can do. Once you’ve stripped all the meat off the bones, take a cue from your grandmother’s kitchen and boil the chicken carcass down to create a healthy, hearty broth. The liquid is easily canned or frozen for future use. You can add the meat back in for a homemade chicken soup, or spice it up a bit with a chicken and sausage gumbo.
Plucking your bird
Even as affordable as most grocery store rotisserie chickens are, you want to make sure you get the best value for your dollar. Don’t just grab the first bird you see. First, check for the timestamp. Stores are required to label when they place precooked food in the warmer, and you don’t want one that’s been sitting under heat lamps for hours. If you’re using the bird for food prep, grab the standard, rather than a fancy spiced chicken.
Make sure that the chicken you select is plump and golden. Even coloration is a good sign of even cooking. You want the skin to be smooth and crispy, not shriveled or saggy. Check the container for excess liquid. You want the moisture in the meat, not the lining. Some experts suggest you thump the bird to listen for a deep echo. A bird that feels heavy for its size is a good sign as well.
If you’re doing a full shopping trip, buy your bird at the end, right after you get your ice cream. You want the chicken to be as warm as possible when you leave the store. And if they’re cooking fresh fowl, be bold and ask for the bird you want while they’re boxing them up right out of the cooker.
Rotisserie chicken is best shredded while the chicken is warm or at least at room temperature. If you don’t have time to prep it right after arriving home, refrigerate it and then use the oven to warm it back up. Do not microwave.
Round and round
Rotisserie chicken is having a moment, and it’s well deserved. An affordable piece of pre-cooked poultry that’s perfect for a family dinner as is, or for meal prep as an ingredient in other dishes. At a time when even the federal government gives protein a higher profile, rotisserie chicken can save your weeknight dinners.
Bella Bucchiotti is a freelance writer with a passion for adventure, delicious recipes and authentic storytelling. Through xoxoBella and social media, she shares vibrant travel experiences, mouthwatering dishes and everyday moments that inspire connection.
The post The humble rotisserie chicken reemerges as a weeknight favorite appeared first on Food Drink Life.
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