Rotisserie Chicken: Meals Made Simple

Written by Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian

Updated April 12, 2024

It is estimated that 625 million rotisserie chickens were sold in 2020.(1)

A consumer analysis on rotisserie chicken published in 2020 by Brisan Group reports -(2)

Main purchasing factor is convenience
Consumers view rotisserie chicken as a healthy, high-protein option
30% consumers report rotisserie chicken is more affordable than raw, uncooked chicken

Additionally, 92% of consumers surveyed reported they consume rotisserie chicken as is with their preferred sides; however, rotisserie chicken can be used beyond just that.

Culinary Applications of Rotisserie Chicken

Rotisserie chicken uses a whole roasting chicken that is cooked on a device called a rotisserie, also known as spit-roasting. This process is a direct-heat cooking method which requires the chicken to be placed next to the heat source. Rotisserie also is a slow cooking method. Combined with the constant turning of the spit this allows for an evenly cooked, tender and juicy chicken; however, many chickens may be brined as well to lock in that delicious quality. Younger chickens are most preferred for rotisserie chicken as well as they tend to not be as dry. A concern for using younger chickens is that its meat often stays as a hue of pink. Many people associate this with the chicken being undercooked; however, rotisserie chicken is temperature controlled and cooked to an internal temperature of 165F. This is the United States Department of Agriculture’s recommendation to prevent foodborne illness from chicken consumption.

Benefits of Chicken

Protein is highly prized in chicken by persons who are looking into growing muscle. A 3-ounce serving of chicken provides approximately 38 grams of protein! Compare this to ground hamburger at approximately 20 grams in a 3-ounce serving. In addition tryptophan is a type of amino acid (basic building block of protein) highly concentrated in chicken. This nutrient helps your body produce natural melatonin to help you feel calm, at ease, and be ready for sleep.

Choline is neither a vitamin nor a mineral and instead is an organic compound. Not only eating white meat chicken may help improve cholesterol levels, but choline specifically may reduce risk for fatty liver disease by removing excess cholesterol from the liver. Please note this claim exists in animal studies and not verified in human studies at this time.(3,4)

Dark meat chicken contains more nutrients than white meat chicken, but is higher in fat. Dark meat is high in heme-iron. Heme-iron (or simply iron) is the most easily absorbed form of iron we get from food. Approximately 95% of the functional iron used in our body is dependent on heme-iron.(5) It is often known that iron is important to reduce the risk of anemia; however, the hormone hepcidin is also dependent on our iron levels. Hepcidin supports our body by controlling the amount of iron in our blood and what is absorbed into the tissue to be used in metabolism. In specific health ailments like hypoxia (low levels of oxygen), hepcidin increases the amount of iron needed into the blood to increase oxygen levels.(6)

Additional Uses of Rotisserie Chicken

Create variety in your meals by using rotisserie chicken as an easy ingredient. Shred the chicken for recipes including –

Enchiladas
Tacos
White chicken chili
Chicken salad
Pulled chicken sandwiches
Pot pie
Chicken noodle soup

and so much more!

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Southern Living Test Kitchen, December 5, 2023

What You Need:

Cooking spray
2 (10-oz.) cans diced tomatoes and green chiles
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 (15-oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups frozen corn kernels (from 1 [10-oz.] pkg.)
3-1/2 cups shredded skinned and boned rotisserie chicken (from 1 rotisserie chicken)
12 (6-in.) corn tortillas, quartered (about 2 cups)
12 oz. pepper Jack cheese, shredded (about 3 cups), divided
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions (about 2 medium)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

What You Do:

Preheat oven to 400F degrees. Coat a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
Stir together diced tomatoes, chiles, chili powder, cumin, and salt in a large bowl.
Fold in beans, corn, chicken, tortilla quarters, and 1-½ cup of cheese.
Transfer to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1-½ cups of cheese on top.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until bubbly around the edges and slightly browned. Dollop sour cream, sprinkle with green onions and cilantro before serving.

References

GLIMPSE. Consumers are eating more chicken than ever before. September 2022. Accessed April 15, 2024. https://meetglimpse.com/insights/chicken-industry/
Brisan Group. Consumer research: rotisserie chicken insights. June 3, 2020. Accessed April 15, 2024. https://brisangroup.com/food-industry-thoughts-articles/consumers-research-rotisserie-chicken-insights
Noga AA, Zhao Y, Vance DE. An unexpected requirement for phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase in the secretion of very low density lipoprotein. J Biol Chem. 2002; 277(44):52358-65. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M204542200
Noga AA, Vance DE. A gender-specific role for phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase-derived phosphatidylcholine in the regulation of plasma high density and very low density lipoproteins in mice. J Biol Chen. 2003; 78(24):21851-9. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M301982200
Skolmowska D, Glabska D. Analysis of heme and non-heme iron intake and iron dietary sources in adolescent menstruating females in a national Polish sample. Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1049.doi: 10.3390/nu11051049
Peslova G, Petrak J, Juzelova K, Hrdy I, Halada P, et. al. Hepcidin, the hormone of iron metabolism, is bound specifically to alpha-2-macroglobulin in blood. Blood. 2009;113(24):6225-6236. doi.org/10.1182/blood-2009-01-201590