Chef Kelli Lewton, owner of Two Unique Caterers and Event Planners and author of the new book, Make Your Own Party: Twenty Blueprints to MYO Party!, tells Parade, “Rotisserie chickens are a wonderful tool to have in your food prep artisanal. In addition to serving a tasty and easy stand-alone meal of their own, when paired with a simple side or two, you can repurpose rotisserie chicken in countless ways, from soups, stews, salads, sandwiches, nachos, pot pies, breakfast dishes, toppings for pizzas, casseroles and more!” “When the craving for rotisserie chicken strikes me, I will normally pick up two, using one for dinner that evening,” she adds. “Then I will pull the meat from the second chicken, as well as any leftovers from my dinner bird, and repurpose it for another meal in a new way, as well as sandwiches for my tribe of grab-and-go kids.” Of course, it’s super important to reheat rotisserie chicken safely and in a way that won’t dry your bird out. Here’s exactly how, plus some recipes from the pros that will make fantastic use of your leftovers!
Is it safe to reheat a rotisserie chicken?
It is safe to reheat a rotisserie chicken, provided you get it to a high enough temperature throughout. Dina Deleasa-Gonsarof Dish It Girl tells us, “A good rule of thumb is to always make sure to heat chicken to 165°F.”
How many times can you reheat rotisserie chicken?
The USDA notes that there isn’t a set limited number of times you can reheat previously cooked rotisserie chicken. However, the quality of the chicken may decrease with each reheating, so try to only reheat what you know you’ll use, then keep the rest refrigerated or freeze it.
How long can you keep a cooked rotisserie chicken in the refrigerator?
According to the USDA, you can safely keep a cooked rotisserie chicken in the refrigerator for three to four days. However, it also states that you can actually add an additional three to four days after each reheating—but again, you don’t want to reheat the bird too often, or else it will dry out and you won’t even want to eat it anymore!
Can I reheat a whole cooked chicken?
You certainly can reheat a whole cooked chicken, but know that certain methods work better than others. You need to be sure that the whole bird will fit in whatever device you’re using to reheat it, whether it be a microwave, air fryer, Instant Pot, or even on your stovetop. It’s also imperative to be sure that the entire bird is heated adequately and thoroughly to avoid foodborne illnesses.
Can you freeze a rotisserie chicken and then thaw it to eat later?
Lewton advises, “Do not freeze whole chicken on the bone, but rather again pull it off the bone and freeze in smaller units for future preparations.” She adds, “If your purpose was to use the meat boneless for other dishes, best to pull the meat from the bones when it is warm as it is much easier than when it is cold, and you will find more success removing meat cleanly. A good rule of thumb is to store chicken in zip-lock bags. I like to use smaller quart or sandwich size bags, then double-bag and date before putting it into the freezer.”
How to tell if rotisserie chicken is bad
Regardless of how long your rotisserie chicken has been in or out of the refrigerator, there are a few key signs that it’s spoiled and not safe for consumption. Deleasa-Gonsar advises, “If there is a sour smell, or a slimy texture, then dispose of it right away!” Also important: Do not taste-test rotisserie chicken if you have any doubts about its freshness or safety. Just toss it!
How do you reheat a rotisserie chicken in the microwave?
While the microwave is obviously the most convenient method to reheat just about anything, it may actually be tricky to reheat a whole rotisserie chicken completely using your microwave. Lewton tells Parade, “It is close to impossible to reheat a whole intact rotisserie chicken in the microwave evenly as the bones will collect heat faster than the meat, you inevitably will end up with cold spots and uneven re-heating. If the microwave is your play, I would suggest you microwave the whole bird coved in with a piece of plastic wrap at 60% power for a couple of minutes, then remove it from the microwave and pull the chicken from the bone. Reheat the deboned chicken in the quantiles desired at 80% power for 1 and 1/2 to two minutes.”
How do you reheat a rotisserie chicken in the oven?
Chef Lewton’s favorite reheating method for a rotisserie chicken is in the oven, because it will help your chicken retain moisture and make the skin crispy. “If time allows, pull your chicken out [of the refrigerator] an hour before heating,” Lewton recommends. “Even when I am roasting whole large raw cuts of meat, I prefer to bring the product down in temperature a bit versus popping an ice-cold piece of meat into the oven. I believe [the chicken] takes less of a beating and just starts on the path to cooking or reheating faster.” Lewton’s recommended reheating directions: She adds, “If I am feeling rowdy, I might even brush the top of the skin to give it a little extra fat, such as butter, which equals flavor and will aid in the browning and crispy department!” Deleasa-Gonsar has her own simple spin on reheating rotisserie chicken:
How do you reheat a rotisserie chicken on a stovetop?
Deleasa-Gonsar has a quick and easy method for reheating rotisserie chicken on your stovetop: “Remove the chicken from the bone (save them for stock!). Place the chicken in a large pan with 3 tbsp. of olive oil over medium heat. It should take four to five minutes for the chicken to heat through,” she says, adding, “Make sure to give the pieces a turn with tongs halfway.”
How do you reheat a rotisserie chicken in an air fryer?
If you’re obsessed with your air fryer, you’re not alone! Obviously, you have to make sure you can fit your chicken in your air fryer basket, and for most air fryers, a whole chicken won’t fit, so you may have to cut your chicken and air-fry a few pieces at a time. “With more healthful cooking methods trending, air fryers have become the new go-to for many. Not all air fryers are created equal,” Lewton says, “but a rule of thumb is 350° for four minutes. Cutting the bird into pieces on the bone is a good play here too.”
How do you reheat rotisserie chicken in an Instant Pot?
You already know your Instant Pot can do just about anything, and yes, it can also safely reheat your rotisserie chicken, too — and this is a great method to keep your rotisserie chicken juicy. “Place a cup of stock in your Instant Pot with the chicken and cook for five minutes,” Lewton recommends. “Release the lid pressure, and five minutes later, you will be enjoying a very moist bird.”
Reheated Rotisserie Chicken Recipe Ideas
There are practically endless ways to utilize leftover rotisserie chicken. That said, if you need to narrow some of them down, see the video below for Deleasa-Gonsar’s rotisserie chicken soup recipe and tutorial. Her Creamy Pesto Chicken Stuffed Shells is a great use of your leftovers as well. View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Dina Deleasa-Gonsar (@dishitgirldina) Lewton has a slew of ideas for how to use leftover rotisserie chicken, with one key idea to start: “After you have consumed all the meat from the chicken, break down bones a little and simmer with aromatics/mirepoix for an hour to 90 minutes to create a nice chicken stock to use in future dishes, sauces, or soup.” Grain or Green Salad With Leftover Rotisserie ChickenPull chicken from bone and slice for a salad-inspired meal! Ingredients could include pantry staples, dark leafy greens, cheese, and beans. Add in a rainbow of veggies, grains, fruits, and nuts—just about anything that finds its way into your bowl. Don’t overlook faro, brown rice, or quinoa with mixed greens for a little more body in your salad. Top your chosen salad with warm or cold chicken. Some classic salad ideas include spring greens and veggies, Caesar, southwest, cobb and Greek just to name a few. Chicken Tortilla Soup Dark meat can be saved for chicken tortilla soup. Shred chicken into a tortilla soup and serve with chopped red onion and cilantro. Chicken Fried Rice Incorporate peas, carrots, onions, a splash of soy and egg and you are on your way to a five-minute meal with chicken fried rice. Rotisserie Chicken Pot PieTo make a pot pie, use peas, pulled rotisserie chicken, carrots, onions, celery, chicken sauce or a thickened cream canned soup. Bake in a prepared tart shell or topped with mashed potatoes, biscuits, or puff pastry crust. Rotisserie Chicken Sandwiches Using your rotisserie chicken in a grilled panini, lavash or traditional deli bread sandwiches make a great grab and go. Rotisserie Chicken Mexican Meals Use rotisserie chicken in quesadillas, Mexican bowls, burritos, or tostadas with salsa and/or guacamole. Pulled Rotisserie Chicken Pulled rotisserie chicken with barbecue sauce paired with hot sides or a gooey barbeque bowl with mashed potatoes and corn is a great way to put leftover rotisserie chicken to good use. Next, find out how to make a delicious rotisserie chicken and orzo bake!
