Chicken is one of the leanest meats you can eat and is a protein loved by fitness enthusiasts and children alike. It’s versatile in its preparation methods and can be served up any number of ways, in both American and multicultural dishes like curry, stir fry, tacos, schnitzel, and pasta. Oftentimes, you’ll find several chicken dishes on a single menu! Today, we’re zeroing in on an American grocery store staple: rotisserie chicken. Is it healthy?
What is Rotisserie Chicken
Most grocery store chickens are brined for a few hours to make them juicy, before cooking for several hours on low heat on a spinning spit called a rotisserie. The result is a flavorful, juicy chicken that’s tender enough to shred with a fork. Rotisserie chickens are a convenient and ready-made option for people who want a quick fix for dinner or a shortcut for recipes that require cooked chicken.
Rotisserie Chicken Nutrition
While chicken is most often lauded for its protein content, it’s also a good source of vitamins and minerals like niacin, selenium, riboflavin, vitamin B12, phosphorus, and zinc. Dieticians and nutritionists say these vitamins and minerals play an important role in blood cell development, nervous system function, skin health, cognition, and energy production.
Rotisserie chickens are sometimes flavored with maltodextrin and phosphates in addition to seasonings like salt, pepper and garlic powder. While these additives are okay to consume in moderation, if you want to avoid them you can simply remove the skin before eating your rotisserie chicken or choose a store that doesn’t use these ingredients.
Another potential downside of store-bought rotisserie chickens is the sodium content, as many of them are brined in a saltwater bath before cooking to make them plumper and juicier. Ultimately, rotisserie chicken is still a much healthier option than alternatives like fried chicken or processed nuggets, but cooking your own rotisserie chicken using a grill at home is a good way to fully control the ingredients.
Recipes Using Rotisserie Chicken
The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating recipes using leftover rotisserie chicken. After enjoying a juicy slice of meat for dinner, you can shred the rest of the bird to incorporate into soups, salads, casseroles, and more. If you’re not sure where to start, this list of healthy leftover rotisserie chicken recipes is sure to help.
Chicken Dinner in a Snap
Want all the nutritional benefits of rotisserie chicken without having to make the trip to the store yourself? Our Avocado Ranch Rotisserie Chicken is a delicious, ready-to-eat option, prepared by our expert chefs, that you can get delivered right to your door. Our herb and ghee marinated chicken leg quarter is cooked to perfection and paired with veggies and Tessemae’s Avocado Ranch dressing for a paleo, Whole30 Approved dinner that delights.
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Excellent read! Rotisserie chicken, in my opinion, is a healthy option for anyone looking for a lean source of protein. First, though there are reservations about the high salt content, this is a minor issue that may be mitigated by pairing it with mashed potatoes or garlic rice. Second, rotisserie is oven-roasted rather than fried or deep-fried, so it is low in calories and fat, making it a nutritious choice.