Are you like me and always end up with a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store? They're just so darn convenient! But what's not convenient is trying to warm it up when you get home. Sometimes I'll try to put it in the oven, and the meat is dry by the time it's warm. Here are a few tips that will help keep your rotisserie chicken nice and juicy.
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Where to find the best rotisserie chicken?
When finding the best rotisserie chicken, remember a few things. First, consider the source of the chicken. Is it coming from a reputable place? Second, make sure to check the labels on the chicken. Look for something that says "natural" or "organic." Finally, ask your friends or family where they get their rotisserie chicken. They may have some great recommendations. Or you can make your own at home.
Easy ways to keep a rotisserie chicken warm
Now that you know how to find the best rotisserie chicken, it's time to learn how to keep it warm. The key is not to let the chicken sit out for too long. If it's been sitting out for more than an hour, it's best to reheat it. You can do this by placing the chicken in a preheated oven at 350-degree for about 5 to 7 minutes.
I'm sharing my family's methods to keep our rotisserie chicken warm. And trust me, we've tried them all! Once you've reheated the chicken, it's essential to keep it warm until you're ready to eat it.
Here are three best ways to keep your rotisserie chicken warm:
1 Cover the chicken with foil
This is my go-to method for keeping a rotisserie chicken warm. I find that wrapping the chicken in foil helps to keep it moist and juicy, and placing it in a 200°F oven ensures that it stays hot without drying out.
If you're serving the chicken immediately, there's no need to worry about keeping it warm. However, if you're not planning on serving it right away, I recommend using this method.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200°F.
Step 2: Use an oven-safe dish and place the chicken in it. Then, cover the dish with foil and place it in the oven.
Step 3: Place in the preheated oven. The oven's warmth will help keep the chicken warm without overcooking it.
Step 4: Once ready to serve, remove the chicken from the oven and enjoy!
2 Place the chicken in a slow cooker
This is a great option if you have a large group of people to feed or if you're not planning on serving the chicken immediately. The slow cooker will keep the chicken warm without drying it out.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Preheat your slow cooker to the "low" or "warm" setting.
Step 2: Place the whole rotisserie chicken in the slow cooker. The warm setting on most slow cookers is around 200°F, which will work well to keep the chicken warm without overcooking it.
Step 3: Cover the slow cooker and leave it in the "warm" setting until you're ready to serve. Check on the chicken periodically to ensure it doesn't get too hot.
3 Wrap the chicken in foil, double-wrap it with a towel, and place it in the cooler
My husband's preferred method is keeping the chicken nice and moist. We add some hot water bottles or towels to keep the chicken warm.
Wrapping chicken with foil and a towel is one of the best ways to keep it warm. Why use foil? Foil is a great conductor of heat, so it will help keep the heat in. The towel will also help absorb any moisture that may release from the chicken as it heats up.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Wrap the chicken in foil.
Step 2: Wrap the chicken in a towel.
Step 3: Place the wrapped chicken in an insulated bag or cooler.
Step 4: Add some hot water bottles or towels to keep them warm.
Step 5: Enjoy your delicious rotisserie chicken!
Whichever method you choose, keep an eye on the chicken, so it doesn't dry out. If necessary, baste the chicken with its own juices or a little bit of olive oil to keep it moist. Additionally, be sure to use a food thermometer to check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F before eating.
How to handle your rotisserie chicken the right way
Cook on the go will appreciate market-fresh rotisserie chicken that's ready to eat when they are. But bringing it home requires a few things to keep in mind.
1 Safety handling:
When choosing a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, make sure to keep it hot when you choose one from the hot case. If it's been sitting out, don't select it. Rotisserie chicken is pre-cooked, meaning it's already been through the cooking process. However, if it's not handled or stored properly, it can become a food safety hazard. According to USDA, the danger zone for food is between 40°F and 140°F. Bacteria can multiply rapidly in these temperatures, so it's important to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
a Time and temperature:
Once you've got your hot rotisserie chicken home, it's important to keep it hot. That means putting it in a preheated oven (200-250 degrees F) or on a warming tray set on low. If you're using an oven, transfer the chicken to a shallow dish and wrap it loosely in foil, so it doesn't dry out. And don't forget, the clock is ticking. You only have two hours from when the chicken was cooked to when it needs to be served or refrigerated.
b Last on your grocery list should be your rotisserie chicken:
You should bring rotisserie chicken home straight from the store. You don't want it sitting in your cart, losing freshness while you shop for the rest of your items. Since it's already been cooked, you don't want it to spend much time in your hot car. Put it in a cooler with ice packs until you're ready to head home. Then, pop it in the fridge as soon as you can.
c Carving and serving:
When it's time to eat, let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before carving. This will help keep the juices in and make for a juicier, more flavorful meal. Serve hot, and enjoy! Keep it in the refrigerator or eat it within 2 hours or within one hour if the weather is hot.
d Reheating:
If you have leftovers (lucky you!), reheat them until they're hot. You can do this in the oven (wrapped in foil) or microwave. Just make sure to cut into the chicken to check that it's warm all the way through before serving.
2 Storing the chicken
Once you bring the rotisserie chicken home and decide to store it in the fridge, place it on a shallow dish and allow it to cool quickly. After cooling, put the chicken in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with foil or plastic wrap. If you plan on eating the chicken within four days, it can stay in the fridge. If you want to keep it fresh for longer, store the rotisserie chicken in the freezer for up to 4 months.
3 Nutrition
A rotisserie chicken generally yields about 3.5 cups of meat, of which is about ⅔ will be white meat. If you want to maintain a low-fat diet, you can remove the skin from the chicken before eating. The average 3-pound rotisserie chicken has about 140 calories and 3 grams fat. You can, of course, enjoy the thighs and legs, which are also lean and nutrient-rich.
How soon do you need to eat rotisserie chicken?
Ideally, you'll want to eat it within 2 hours of cooking. If you don't eat the chicken within 2 hours, it will start to dry out. And we all know that dry chicken is not nearly as delicious as juicy, succulent chicken. So if you want to enjoy your rotisserie chicken at its best, eat it within two hours of cooking.
If it's been longer, don't worry – it can still be safe to eat. Just keep it warm by reheating or keeping it in a warm oven. And, of course, always check that it's cooked through before eating.
For how long can you keep rotisserie chicken?
You can keep rotisserie chicken in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
How long is rotisserie chicken good for in the fridge?
Typically, rotisserie chicken is good for up to four days in the fridge. However, if it is not stored correctly, it may only last for two days. To extend your rotisserie chicken's shelf life, store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic. You can also freeze rotisserie chicken, extending its shelf life to six months. Use freezer bags or wrap the chicken tightly in foil before freezing for the best results.
How long should rotisserie chicken sit outside?
Leaving rotisserie chicken out for too long can make it unsafe to eat. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that cooked food be left at room temperature for no more than two hours before it is refrigerated or frozen. If the temperature is above 90°F (or 32.2°C), you should refrigerate food within one hour.
If you need to keep rotisserie chicken warm for longer than two hours, it is best to do so in the oven. Preheat the oven to 200°F and place the chicken on a baking sheet. Cover the chicken loosely with foil to ensure it does not dry out.
How to carve and serve a rotisserie chicken?
Carving a rotisserie chicken is a relatively easy task. The key is to make sure you have a sharp knife and to be careful not to cut yourself. Follow these steps, and you'll have no problem carving your chicken.
Step 1
Lay the chicken, with the breast side up, on a cutting board and cut the twine holding the legs together.
Step 2
Put a meat fork into the cavity of the chicken and hold it in place. Then, slowly pull one leg away from the body and cut it at the joint. Repeat with the other leg.
Step 3
Cut through the thigh and the body joint to remove the thighs.
Step 4
With the wing tip in your hand, gently pull the wing away until you feel the joint pop. Then, cut through the joint and remove the wing. Repeat with the other wing. Separate the two at the point where they meet.
Step 5
Find the breastbone in the center of the chicken and, using a sharp knife, make a lengthwise cut along each side to remove the breasts.
Step 6
Slice the chicken breasts into thin, even slices. You can shred, chop or dice the meat from the thighs if desired. It is sometimes most efficient to shred meat with your fingers, pull apart the meat with two forks, or create chunks of meat.
7 smart tips for keeping a rotisserie chicken warm
Rotisserie chicken is a delicious and convenient meal, but it can be tricky to keep it warm without drying it out.
Here are seven tips to help you make sure your rotisserie chicken stays nice and moist.
1. Preheat your oven to the lowest setting before cooking the chicken. You will be able to keep it warm for longer this way.
2. Wrap the chicken tightly in foil after it's cooked. So you will be able to retain the heat.
3. Put the chicken in a covered dish or container while transporting it. This will also help it stay warm.
4. If you're not serving the chicken immediately, put it in a warm oven (200 degrees Fahrenheit or lower) until you're ready to eat.
5. Keep the chicken warm by putting it in a slow cooker in the "keep warm" setting.
6. If you need to reheat the chicken, do it slowly. The best way to reheat it is in a 325-degree oven, wrapped in foil, for about 15 minutes.
7. Finally, remember that warm chicken is still safe to eat even if it's not piping hot. So don't stress if it's not hot when you're ready to eat it. Just enjoy your delicious rotisserie chicken!