Is Rotisserie Chicken Healthy? | The Hospital of Central Connecticut (2024)

FAQs

Are grocery store rotisserie chickens healthy? ›

"Rotisserie chicken is a healthy choice for people who want a lean source of protein but don't have either the time, interest or skill to cook. It's a low-fat cooking method, and the chicken can be used in a variety of ways," says Lisa Andrews, M. Ed., RD, LD, owner of Sound Bites Nutrition.

Rotisserie: Cooking Style

No high-flame fire is required. Low heat in an open flame is sufficient. It is a slow cooking method and is ideal for bigger pieces cooking over a long time. Rotisserie chicken is much lower in calories due to being oven-roasted.

The USDA guidelines clearly state that rotisserie chicken is good for 3-4 days when stored in the refrigerator. Additionally, rotisserie chicken can be stored in the freezer where it will be good for a longer period of time. If frozen it will keep best, maintaining its optimal flavor and texture, for 4 months.

Despite their high sodium content, many believe that Costco rotisserie chickens are healthy for individual consumers if eaten in moderation. Yet factory farming has huge impacts on public health in the form of pollution, antibiotic resistance, increased pandemic risk, and contributions to climate change.

Nexstar's WATE recently bought three cooked chickens from different grocery stores to get a closer look at the ingredients, and get some analysis from nutritionist Krystal Goodman. The first thing Goodman pointed out was the salt content. “These do have quite a bit of sodium,” Goodman explained.

Nutrition Facts on Rotisserie Chicken

The breast is the leanest part of the chicken, while the thigh is the fattiest. The good news is that both parts of the chicken are packed with vitamins and minerals.

"Eating chicken every day as your sole protein source could result in some nutrient gaps," says Burgess. "For example, since skinless chicken breast contains very little fat, consuming it every day may lead to a lack of essential fats in your diet."

The Costco rotisserie chicken is as notable for what it isn't made with as much as what it does include. According to the label, it's free of potentially problematic ingredients like MSG, hormones, artificially-derived colors and flavors, and gluten.

Aside from adding flavor, the saline solution that's injected into the chicken's tissue also ensures that the bird remains juicy. This is not only due to the addition of extra water but also additives including phosphate.

USDA recommends using cooked chicken within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within three to four days.

Is rotisserie chicken considered processed meat? ›

Is rotisserie chicken processed meat? Yes. While each whole rotisserie chicken may appear unprocessed, the addition of additives like those described above mean it's actually considered a processed food.

Among the worst sodium offenders is Sam's Club (Member's Mark Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken), which has 550 mg of sodium per 3-ounce serving—that's about nine times more sodium than a chicken roasted without salt and about a quarter of the maximum amount of sodium adults should have in a day (2,300 mg).

Rotisserie chicken lasts for up to four days if cooked and stored correctly. Keep the chicken in an airtight container or zip-top bag, and do not consume leftover chicken if left at room temperature for an extended period of time (more than two hours).

Costco's Rotisserie Chicken Sales Aren't Slowing Down

Costco sells millions of rotisserie chickens to its customers year after year. Costco execs confirmed during the company's 2023 annual shareholders meeting that it sold a whopping 137 million rotisserie chickens in 2023, about 20 million more than the prior year.

Where Do Costco's Rotisserie Chickens Come From? Costco roasts and seasons its chickens in-house, providing customers with a meal that's ready to eat right from the deli counter.

Injecting chicken carcasses with phosphate is extremely common as Tom Super, senior vice president of communications for the National Chicken Council explained to Consumer Reports: "Essentially, all rotisserie chickens are enhanced with a solution [injected into the bird] to keep the birds moist and tasty." This means ...

USDA recommends using cooked chicken within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within three to four days.