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

<< Back

Is Rotisserie Chicken Healthy? | The Hospital of Central Connecticut (1)

October 19, 2023

Many a family has been saved by the rotisserie chicken.

Who among us hasn’t swung through the grocery store on a desperate Wednesday night, grabbing the chicken from under the warming lights and a bag of salad to bring home and turn into dinner?

But is that rotisserie chicken as healthy for your family as one you would roast yourself in the oven? We asked registered dietitian Jamie Allers, MS, part of Hartford HealthCare’s Digestive Health Institute.

Am I eligible for weight loss surgery?

Take this health risk assessmentCall 833.238.0683

A rotisserie chicken has more in common with a roasted chicken than you might think.

“Nutritionally, it will be comparable. A rotisserie chicken will have similar nutrients to one you roast,” says Allers. “Similar protein, iron. The main difference is the amount and type of any additives.”

Some stores “inject the chickens with a solution, which might contain added salt, sugar, various natural flavorings,” Allers explains. “They add these other compounds – gums, stabilizers – to add flavor and moistness and make it look appetizing.”

Not sure what additives to look out for? Allers has this tip for label sleuths.

“If there are no additives, the ingredient list will simply read: ‘chicken,’” she says.

> Related: Nutrition Smack Down: Which Protein Is the Healthiest?

A rotisserie chicken is better than some of the other alternatives.

Even with additives, a rotisserie chicken is a far healthier choice than a fast food run, says Allers.

“It’s still lower in fat and calories than fast food. It’s serving its purpose – it’s fast, but it can still help you create a balanced meal. Add some frozen broccoli and brown rice or sweet potato, and it becomes far more balanced than fast food.”

>Want more health news? Text StartHere to 85209 to sign up for text alerts

But the best way to eat healthy in a time crunch? Plan ahead.

“Try to prepare meals ahead of time whenever possible,” says Allers. “That way, when you’re busy, you’ll have a healthy and delicious option at home, ready to go.”

And the great news is, a whole chicken is versatile and cost effective.

“When you have time, try roasting a chicken in your oven. And while it cooks, prep fresh veggies for the week, or other meals like quick breakfasts or bagged lunches,” Allers suggests.

You can shred the chicken, use it in a stir fry or add it to salads. Then use what’s left to make broth, soup or stock to freeze.

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

FAQs

Is Rotisserie Chicken Healthy? | The Hospital of Central Connecticut? ›

A rotisserie chicken is better than some of the other alternatives. Even with additives, a rotisserie chicken is a far healthier choice than a fast food run, says Allers. “It's still lower in fat and calories than fast food. It's serving its purpose – it's fast, but it can still help you create a balanced meal.

Is rotisserie chicken healthy or unhealthy? ›

A rotisserie chicken is better than some of the other alternatives. Even with additives, a rotisserie chicken is a far healthier choice than a fast food run, says Allers. “It's still lower in fat and calories than fast food. It's serving its purpose – it's fast, but it can still help you create a balanced meal.

Is it safe to eat rotisserie chicken from store? ›

Yes, absolutely! Since rotisserie chicken is fully cooked and seasoned already, it can be eaten cold in many ways. I love to shred it up and add to salads and sandwiches. How can you make rotisserie chicken last longer?

How good is a rotisserie chicken good for? ›

How long does rotisserie chicken last in the fridge? 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).

Are Costco rotisserie chickens injected with anything? ›

At Costco, where you can buy a rotisserie chicken for $4.99, even with inflation running amok, the chickens are injected with a concentrated saline solution to give them their distinctive taste that customers know and love. And while some customers have discovered off-tasting chicken, not all have.

What are the negatives of rotisserie chicken? ›

The first thing Goodman pointed out was the salt content. “These do have quite a bit of sodium,” Goodman explained. “That's the number one thing you want to look for [on the label].” Salt is a mineral we all need, but in excess it can cause problems for people with high blood pressure who have to watch their sodium.

Why avoid rotisserie chicken? ›

The sodium content of a rotisserie chicken can vary significantly depending on the preparation. Some chickens may be brined or soaked in a saline (salt) solution before cooking to make them juicier. Others may use a rub or seasoning that contains a lot of salt on both the skin and the innards of the bird.

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.

How to tell if rotisserie chicken is bad? ›

The bottom line

If your chicken is slimy, has a foul smell, or has changed to a yellow, green, or gray color, these are signs that your chicken has gone bad.

How many days can you eat a rotisserie chicken? ›

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 healthier than fried? ›

Fresh cooked on a rotisserie, these whole chickens are inexpensive and ready to eat. Because they're oven-roasted, they're much healthier than some other options, such as fast-food fried chicken. Is rotisserie chicken is a healthy choice? Yes, it is nutritious, and high in protein.

What does Costco put in their rotisserie chicken? ›

Costco rotisserie chicken lists 11 ingredients on its labels. They are: chicken, water, salt, sodium phosphates, hydrolyzed casein, modified corn starch, sugar, dextrose, chicken broth, isolated soy protein, monoglycerides, and diglycerides.

Why is Costco getting sued for their rotisserie chicken? ›

“The plaintiffs in the claim say the company is violating its fiduciary duty to shareholders through its 'illegal neglect and abandonment' of animals at its Nebraska chicken processing plant,” The Daily Beast reported.

Is anything added to rotisserie chicken? ›

Carrageenan is a chemical compound injected into some pre-cooked poultry to tenderize it and keep it juicy.

Why is Costco rotisserie chicken pink inside? ›

Information. Chemical changes occur during cooking. Oven gases in a heated gas or electric oven react chemically with hemoglobin in the meat tissues to give it a pink tinge. Often meat of younger birds shows the most pink because their thinner skins permit oven gases to reach the flesh.

Is rotisserie chicken better for you than fried? ›

Roasted chicken is a healthy choice, especially compared to fried chicken. The rotisserie method drains the fat, while fried chicken absorbs it. To make rotisserie chicken even healthier, remove the skin and stick to white meat.

Is rotisserie chicken good to eat for weight loss? ›

Since rotisserie chicken is highly nutritious and a good source of protein, it can offer several health benefits. Here are some possible health benefits of rotisserie chicken. Promotes weight loss. Since protein takes longer to digest, it can increase fullness levels, making it easier to reach a caloric deficit.

Is rotisserie better than grilled? ›

The choice between rotisserie and barbecue cooking ultimately comes down to personal preference and the type of meat you are cooking. If you are cooking a large cut of meat, such as a whole chicken or roast, a rotisserie may be the better option. This method ensures even cooking and results in juicy and succulent meat.

Top Articles
How to Make a Fermented Ginger Bug and a Ginger Soda Recipe! — All Posts Healing Harvest Homestead
Tourtière French-Canadian Meat Pie Recipe
Xre-02022
Dragon Age Inquisition War Table Operations and Missions Guide
Aberration Surface Entrances
Play FETCH GAMES for Free!
Washu Parking
Was ist ein Crawler? | Finde es jetzt raus! | OMT-Lexikon
Chatiw.ib
Immobiliare di Felice| Appartamento | Appartamento in vendita Porto San
Tiger Island Hunting Club
Facebook Marketplace Charlottesville
Craigslist Pets Athens Ohio
Sand Castle Parents Guide
Apus.edu Login
Q Management Inc
10-Day Weather Forecast for Santa Cruz, CA - The Weather Channel | weather.com
Vintage Stock Edmond Ok
Hollywood Bowl Section H
Accuweather Mold Count
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish Showtimes Near Cinépolis Vista
Riherds Ky Scoreboard
12 Top-Rated Things to Do in Muskegon, MI
Jenna Ortega’s Height, Age, Net Worth & Biography
College Basketball Picks: NCAAB Picks Against The Spread | Pickswise
Del Amo Fashion Center Map
Rs3 Ushabti
Olivia Maeday
پنل کاربری سایت همسریابی هلو
Netspend Ssi Deposit Dates For 2022 November
Scott Surratt Salary
Orange Park Dog Racing Results
Google Flights To Orlando
Bi State Schedule
Metro 72 Hour Extension 2022
Foolproof Module 6 Test Answers
2008 Chevrolet Corvette for sale - Houston, TX - craigslist
The best Verizon phones for 2024
Snohomish Hairmasters
11301 Lakeline Blvd Parkline Plaza Ctr Ste 150
Ross Dress For Less Hiring Near Me
Craigslist Malone New York
Mynord
Frontier Internet Outage Davenport Fl
Hampton In And Suites Near Me
Boyfriends Extra Chapter 6
2000 Ford F-150 for sale - Scottsdale, AZ - craigslist
Egg Inc Wiki
Madden 23 Can't Hire Offensive Coordinator
Slug Menace Rs3
18443168434
How Did Natalie Earnheart Lose Weight
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Reed Wilderman

Last Updated:

Views: 5949

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Reed Wilderman

Birthday: 1992-06-14

Address: 998 Estell Village, Lake Oscarberg, SD 48713-6877

Phone: +21813267449721

Job: Technology Engineer

Hobby: Swimming, Do it yourself, Beekeeping, Lapidary, Cosplaying, Hiking, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Reed Wilderman, I am a faithful, bright, lucky, adventurous, lively, rich, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.