The birds from this store also aced our team’s taste tests, and “there was no competition.”
It was characteristic of
Julia Child
and remains a cornerstone to this day
Ina Garten
,
Chef John
, along with many home chefs prefer roasted chicken. This classic dish served typically on Sunday evenings provides comfort and usually requires under 20 minutes of preparation time. Nonetheless, it tends to be the lengthy cooking duration that stops people from frequently preparing their own chickens at home. For some reason, waiting over an hour just for the chicken to bake doesn’t fit into everyone’s schedule or preferences.
Here is where a purchased one
rotisserie chicken
can arrive to help. Just as
versatile
as a home-cooked bird—and often just about as affordable as purchasing frozen chicken to roast ourselves—rotisserie chickens are one of editors’ go-to weeknight dinner staples. Quick, easy, satisfying,
and
With no dishes left to wash afterwards? Count me in.
It’s evident that we’re not alone: Americans buy approximately 950 million rotisserie chickens annually, as estimated by the source.
National Chicken Council
We’re putting money into a
lot
Of rotisserie chickens, though, where do we get them? Could we be missing out on the finest options by disregarding specific spots known for their superior quality?
We reached out to chicken enthusiasts across the country to share their thoughts on choosing premium rotisserie chickens, their usage preferences, and preferred purchasing spots. Interestingly, they all seem to care exclusively about one particular brand—which also happened to rank first with our team.
grocery store rotisserie chickens compared in tasting evaluations
.
Our Team of Chickens-Roasting Expert Judges
-
Anthony Castro
executive chef at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa located in Palmetto, Florida -
Sonny Pache
, who serves as the executive chef at The Guild House in Columbus, Ohio -
Michelle Rounsaville
, who owns and operates My Michelle’s in Oxford, Mississippi -
Jacob Schroeder
, who owns and operates Crafted Food Services and Moxie Kitchen + Events in Des Moines, Iowa -
Peter Som
, an award-winning fashion designer based in New York City, who also excels as a culinary artist and lifestyle guru, and is set to release the forthcoming cookbook titled “Family Style.”
Characteristics of the Finest RotisserieChicken
Almost all grocery chains, several restaurants, and most warehouse stores offer rotisserie chickens. In the quest for the finest ones, our chefs seek out birds that meet the following criteria:
-
Cooked evenly.
Some grocery stores use rotisseries where certain areas become overheated, leading to chickens that turn quite dark and dry,” notes Jacob Schroder, who owns Crafted Food Services and Moxie Kitchen + Events in Des Moines, Iowa. Top-notch rotisserie chicken should boast a well-caramelized skin uniformly colored from the breast down to the wing area. Should you notice that the skin appears overly dark, shriveled up, or shows any indication of being past its prime, Chef Sonny Pache of The Guild House in Columbus, Ohio recommends avoiding such poultry. -
Is rich and succulent in flesh.
Similar to how you can’t fully assess a book by its cover, you also shouldn’t evaluate a chicken solely based on its exterior appearance. Michelle Rounsaville, owner-chef of My Michelle’s located in Oxford, Mississippi, alongside Anthony Castro, who serves as the executive chef at Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa in Palmetto, Florida, concur that it’s essentially about what lies beneath the surface. This is particularly true because numerous chefs tend to take off the skin before cooking.
shred the meat
for
rotisserie chicken recipes
like
enchiladas
,
chili
,
sandwiches
, and
pot pie
. -
Fresh.
Schroeder checks the “ready-to-eat” timestamp on each chicken before purchasing to gauge how recently it was removed from the oven and packaged for sale. He notes, “The longer these chickens sit in a warm environment, the drier they become.” If possible, he looks for one that has been prepared within the past period.
two hours
, that’s ideal. -
The quality is consistent.
This is something you’ll discover with experience; however, if the chefs have one bad encounter with a poorly cooked, dried-out, overly chewy, or subpar roasted poultry dish, they will make sure to remember this when formulating their ratings. “The item must always provide a harmonious taste combination, moist and soft flesh, along with crisp skin,” Castro concludes.
Top-Rated Rotisserie Chicken as Chosen by Culinary Experts
Without hesitation, every chef on our panel echoed the same answer when asked to name the best store-bought rotisserie chicken: Costco.
Yes, the
$5 Kirkland Signature
that
Costco fans are obsessed
also receives glowing endorsements from celebrity chefs.
Costco stands out and has become a beloved choice for a reason,” remarks Peter Som, a renowned fashion designer from New York City, known also as a culinary innovator, lifestyle guru, and the writer of an impending cookbook titled “Family Style.
.”
Praised for “offering excellent value for the money, maintaining consistent quality, having moist meat, and tasty skin” by Castro, and described by Schroeder as “consistently fresh and succulent,” Costco’s rotisserie chicken “remains juicy even after several days” if not consumed right away, says Michelle Rounsaville, owner-chef at My Michelle’s located in Oxford, Mississippi. Given her expertise, Rounsaville makes a one-hour journey solely to restock on these chickens (along with Kirkland wines, cheese, laundry supplies, and seasonal treats) from her local Costco store.
“Our local Costco must have pretty well-trained staff because their chickens are never overcooked or dry,” Schroeder adds.
Top Tips from Chefs for Maximizing Your RotisserieChicken Usage
The 3-pound birds provide “the best value among any rotisserie chickens I’ve tried,” according to Pache. He adds that it consistently impresses regardless of how he uses it.
Given this scenario, we requested insights from the chefs about their preferred methods for utilizing rotisserie chicken (or leftovers, should you have them available, opt to roast your own, or lack a Costco membership).
-
Greek salad
with shredded chicken - Creamy chicken salad
-
Game day
wings - Chicken tortilla soup
- Chicken-topped pizza
- Chicken tacos
-
As the primary course accompanied by
roasted vegetables -
Homemade chicken broth
(employ the bones along with any residual liquid in the bag) - Buffalo chicken dip
Read the initial article on
All Recipes
.
