Few meals can beat a properly roasted chicken for standard comfort food. Roast chicken has been a mainstay in homes for generations, whether it’s for Sunday dinner or a daily meal.
Chefs like Julia Child, Ina Garten, and Chef John made it famous. Roasting a chicken from scratch can take over an hour, so many home cooks buy rotisserie chickens from the store to save time.
Not only are these tasty birds easy to prepare, but they are also very cheap and can be used in many different ways, making them a great choice for busy families. The National Chicken Council says Americans buy about 950 million roasted chickens annually.
But there are so many roasting chickens to choose from; how do we pick the best one? A group of chefs was asked to tell us what they think makes a great grilled chicken and where to find it.
Our Group of Expert Chefs
We talked to a wide range of chefs from across the US to get to the bottom of the grilled chicken problem:
- Anthony Castro: Anthony Castro is the executive chef at Florida’s Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa.
- Sonny Pache: Sonny Pache is the head chef at The Guild House in Ohio.
- Michelle Rounsaville: Michelle Rounsaville is the chef and owner of My Michelle’s in Mississippi.
- Jacob Schroeder: Iowa’s Jacob Schroeder is the chef and owner of Crafted Food Services and Moxie Kitchen + Events.
- Peter Som: Peter Som is a clothes designer and chef from New York City who has won awards for his work.
How Do You Make the Best Rotisserie Chicken?
When our cooks check out rotisserie chickens, they look for a few key traits that make them the best choices. These are the most important things to think about:
1. Even Cooking
A good grilled chicken should be cooked all the way through. Jacob Schroeder says that some shops have rotisseries that can make hot spots, which can fry one side of the chicken. Look for birds whose skin is golden and browned, with no dark or wrinkly spots that could mean they were cooked too long.
2. Tenderness and Juiciness
What’s under the skin is even more important than what’s on top. Michelle Rounsaville and Anthony Castro both stress the importance of juicy, soft meat. The meat also needs to stay moist because many cooks remove the skin to split the chicken for different recipes.
3. Being Fresh
Freshness is an important factor in a roasted chicken. To ensure you’re getting a chicken that was just taken out of the oven, Schroeder says to look at the “cooked at” time stamp. You want a bird cooked within the last two hours because it will be the juiciest and tastiest.
4. Quality That Lasts
Over time, you’ll determine which shops always have great roasted chicken. If you can trust a name, the meat will always be soft, and the skin will always be crispy. Castro says, “It should always have a well-balanced flavor profile.”
Which Brand of Rotisserie Chicken Is the Best?
Our group of cooks agreed that the roasted chicken from Costco was the best one we could find in stores. People love the popular Kirkland Signature roasted chicken for several reasons:
- Value: The price of about $5 is hard to beat.
- Quality: The chickens are always juicy and have tasty skin, so chefs and home cooks love them.
- Freshness: Many cooks said that Costco’s chickens are always fresh and are usually cooked just right, never dried or overdone.
“Costco is a cult favorite for a reason,” says Chef Peter Som. Michelle Rounsaville drives an hour just to get Kirkland Brands grilled chickens and other things she loves there.
Different Ways to Cook and Eat Rotisserie Chicken
If you have a roasted chicken, you can make almost any meal. Our chefs told us about their best ways to use rotisserie chicken, which can help home cooks get the most out of their purchase:
1. Greek Salad with Chicken Shreds
For extra energy, add chopped rotisserie chicken to a simple salad to make it more interesting. To make a meal that fills you up, add fresh veggies, feta cheese, olives, and a tangy sauce.
2. Chicken Salad with Cream
Shred chicken and add it to mayo, Greek yogurt, or a dressing. Add chopped vegetables and any spices you like. Put it on a burger or greens and serve it.
3. Wings for Game Day
Shred the chicken and mix it with your favorite wing sauce to make an easy and quick starter.
4. Soup with Chicken Tortillas
Put the chicken shreds in a soup with tomatoes, beans, corn, and spices for a warming meal.
5. Pizza with Chicken on Top
A quick dinner idea is to put your favorite toppings on pizza and then add shredded chicken.
6. Tacos with Chicken
Put chopped chicken, avocado, salsa, and any other toppings you like on corn tortillas for a tasty taco night.
7. Main Dish with Vegetables Roasted in Oil
A healthy meal would be chicken with roasted veggies on the side.
8. Chicken Broth Made at Home
Do not throw away the bones! With them and any juices that are left over, you can make a tasty homemade soup.
9. Chicken Dip with Buffalo Sauce
For a delicious dip, mix chopped chicken with cream cheese, hot sauce, and cheese.
In Conclusion
Many families love rotisserie chicken because it’s easy to make and makes a quick and filling meal that can be used in many different ways. Our group of experts says that Costco’s Kirkland Signature grilled chicken is the best because it is fresh, high-quality, and has the best price.
So, the next time you are short on time, you might want to get a roast chicken from the store or warehouse near you. Your weeknight meals will be easier and taste better with a rotisserie chicken, whether you eat it right out of the package or add it to another dish.
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