If you are wondering how long rotisserie chicken is good for in the fridge, you have come to the right place; here, you will get all the information about rotisserie chicken. Generally speaking, rotisserie chicken is good for about 4 hours in the refrigerator. However, this isn’t an exact time, and a few factors can affect how long the chicken stays fresh.
These include the type of chicken you buy, how long the bird was frozen, and how well the chicken was prepared. Here are some tips for choosing the best rotisserie chicken to make the most of every bite of this weeknight dinner classic.
How Long is Rotisserie Chicken Good for in the Fridge?
According to the USDA, a rotisserie chicken can be placed in the fridge for up to seven days if the temperature is maintained at 40°F or lower. According to the USDA, it will only last two days if you keep the chicken above 50°F. Several years ago, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) advised that rotisserie chicken might last five days in the refrigerator if stored at 41°F or lower.
That was eventually amended to four days, as you might expect. Under refrigeration, a fresh rotisserie chicken can keep for three to four days. Don’t leave the leftover chicken out for two hours before refrigerating it if you intend to use it in chicken salads, chicken noodle soup, or chicken salad sandwiches over the next few days.
Seal your rotisserie chicken in airtight containers, zip-top storage bags, or heavy-duty aluminum foil while it’s chilling. And put it away from the door, in the lowest part of the refrigerator. By doing this, you can stop your chicken from spoiling sooner due to changes in the refrigerator’s temperature.
How Long does Frozen Rotisserie Chicken Last?
According to the USDA, rotisserie chicken that has been frozen will keep for three months. It will only survive two weeks if you keep your chicken below 50°F. Similar guidelines that apply to the refrigerator also apply here.
It will only survive a week if you keep your chicken above 50°F. Chicken that has been frozen can keep for up to four months. When you aren’t eating your rotisserie chicken for four days or more is a great way to ensure its safety. Use freezer wrap, a covered container or a heavy-duty freezer bag for freezing.
Until it’s ready to cook, keep your chicken frozen. When chicken is kept in the freezer for an excessive amount of time, freezer burn, which causes your chicken to be dry and flavorless, develops. Your freezer chicken might occasionally be fine to eat but not fresh.
How Long can Rotisserie Chicken Last at Room Temperature?
Rotisserie chickens should be kept at room temperature (70°F) or in the refrigerator (40°F–45°F). But the crisper drawer of your refrigerator crisper drawer is the finest spot to keep your chicken. Wrap it snugly in plastic wrap and place it inside. Additionally, chicken can be frozen.
Just trim off as much skin and fat as possible before freezing the chicken. Because bacteria can quickly multiply between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, cooked rotisserie chicken should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours.
How can you Increase the Shelf Life of Rotisserie Chicken?
- The shelf life of your chicken is extended by including spice blends like a teaspoon of garlic and onion powder in the ingredients list.
- Wait to cook the chicken. It could become flavorless or dry. To help the meat become softer, use a spice rub.
- After cooking, put your chicken in the fridge immediately or within two hours.
- Cover your chicken tightly when storing it to prevent cross-contamination with raw chicken or other white meat kept in the refrigerator.
- Knowing how long rotisserie chicken may last at various temperatures is important when storing it.
- Cooked rotisserie chicken should be stored in the refrigerator in shallow airtight containers to extend its shelf life and maintain its quality. It can be securely coated in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
- To keep your chicken fresh, follow the above instructions whenever you eat it raw, cooked, or organically.
Is Reheating Rotisserie Chicken Safe?
Rotisserie chicken can be heated up again without any problems, but it must be heated all the way through to a scorching high temperature to prevent the growth of bacteria. Rotisserie chicken should only be heated through once, just like any other type of chicken.
If there is any remaining chicken after reheating, it can be held in the fridge for up to 24 hours before being consumed cold; however, it should not be reheated again. It can be used without risk as a filler for a delicious chicken sandwich or chopped up and put into a green salad for a nutritious meal.
This study examined the effectiveness of the cooking method in eliminating these germs in barbecued (BBQ) rotisserie chicken made at a fast food outlet because a major portion of chicken meat in Australia is sold through the food service sector, such as the fast food chains. According to the results, these antimicrobial-resistant organisms in BBQ rotisserie chicken are destroyed by the destructive action of grilling.
Gram-positive cocci resistant to antibiotics found in poultry and poultry-meat products could be a source for spreading antibiotic resistance through the food chain. Because of this possible risk, it is always important to keep the public safe by using thermal processes that have a high chance of killing the target pathogens when making commercially cooked, ready-to-eat poultry. As a lot of chicken meat in Australia is sold through food service, like fast food chains, this study looked at how well the cooking process kills these bacteria in barbecued (BBQ) rotisserie chicken made at a fast food restaurant. Gram-positive cocci resistant to antibiotics were taken from two chicken processing plants in Western Australia for this study. The results show that the lethal effect of the cooking process in BBQ rotisserie chicken kills these antimicrobial-resistant organisms.
Rotisserie chicken can be reheated in a variety of ways. Choose the strategy that will require you to put up the least amount of work and time.
Using an Oven to Reheat Rotisserie Chicken:
Place the whole chicken in an oven-safe dish after wrapping it in aluminum foil if you’re reheating it. Depending on the size of the chicken, place the dish in a hot oven and bake for 20 to 30 minutes. Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you first cut the chicken into pieces, put the pieces in an oven-safe dish, coat them with foil, and bake for about 15 minutes. Baste halfway through with the fluids that have run off to keep the chicken moist. When thoroughly warm, slice into servings and serve.
Using the Microwave to Reheat Rotisserie Chicken:
The chicken should ideally be chopped up before being reheated in the microwave. Put the chicken portions and lid in a dish that can be used in a microwave. Depending on your microwave’s power, cook each chunk high for around 30 seconds. Continue checking until it has fully heated.
Using the Stovetop to Reheat Rotisserie Chicken:
A rotisserie chicken can be rapidly warmed in a pan on the stove. Depending on the size of the pieces, cook the chicken in the hot pan for 5–6 minutes total, rotating with tongs every 1–2 minutes, until well heated through. A light layer of olive oil should be sprayed on the pan before heating.
Is Rotisserie Chicken Safe to Eat After Spoiling?
Yes, a rotisserie chicken can still be consumed after its expiration date. Although you can consume the chicken immediately after purchasing it, waiting until it has thawed will yield the greatest results.
It’s significant to remember that not all rotisserie chickens are created equal. If you wait too long to consume the chicken, it might taste quite different because some brands employ more flavorings than others.
How can you Tell if the Rotisserie Chicken has Gone Bad?
You can check rotisserie chicken for spoilage in several ways. The meat’s color should be the first thing you check. It must appear juicy and have a strong yellow hue. Also important are smoothness and firmness of the skin. The skin of the rotisserie chicken beginning to dry out is another indication that it has gone bad. Observe the odor as well. You should throw something away if it has an odd or sour scent.
Signs of Rotisserie Chicken Spoilage:
- Rotisserie chicken that has been spoilt may seem slimy and discolored on the outside, and it may also smell bad coming from the packaging.
- It might look brittle and dried out, and its consistency might shift from rubbery to mushy.
- Juices may flow out when the flesh is cut if it is soft and liquid.
- Rotisserie chicken is rumored to spoil quickly by some. However, it keeps for a longer period. If you observe these symptoms, you should toss them away immediately.
Conditions that Cause to Rotisserie Chicken becoming Bad:
- Consider the possibility that you might become ill if someone consumes your rotisserie chicken and becomes ill.
- Additionally, if you touch rotisserie chicken left out for a while, you risk bringing bacteria into your mouth.
- Rotisserie chicken can become spoiled by virtually any infection. This includes insects, mold spores, and bacteria that cause food poisoning.
- The container, the chicken’s immediate environment, or even the bird itself may allow these contaminants to enter.
- Rotisserie chicken is a great way to transfer these bacteria to other meals after exposure. Therefore, it would be best to refrain from sharing your rotisserie chicken with anyone else.
How to Choose the Best Store-Bought Rotisserie Chicken?
- Size and wellness: Older and stronger birds make up larger birds (and are more flavorful). Typically, a juicy chicken will be round and plump. The flesh is undoubtedly dry if the skin is shriveled and appears to be so.
- High churn rate: Find out if the chickens are made fresh every day by asking the person at the counter.
- Color: Golden brown describes roasted chicken excellently. If it’s excessively dark—more mahogany than birch—it may have spent too much time in the oven and is most likely dry. Steer clear of hens with charred or scorched wingtips.
- New packaging: Examine the other prepared foods from stores for cleanliness. It’s a good sign that the store follows appropriate sanitary measures if everything else appears clean.
- Heat: Verify that the rotisserie is supplying consistent heat to prevent spoiling.
- Organic or wild-caught: Free-range, organic chicken always has a more homey flavor.
Conclusion
Rotisserie chicken is a dependable and adaptable go-to for dinner on busy nights. Serve it straight up with a couple of sides or shred it and use it in various ways. Rotisserie chickens can be tasty and juicy, making getting supper on the table simple despite those unsettling orange heating lamps.
After being opened, a rotisserie chicken can become rancid in hours. Your rotisserie chicken will probably be spoiled if you open it immediately away after purchasing it. On the other hand, eating will still be okay if you leave it out for a few hours.
Buying rotisserie chicken less than an hour before eating it would be a waste of money. If you plan to eat the rotisserie chicken immediately, it is best to let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
