A lot of people buy Rotisserie Chicken. You wonder why.
Customers say convenience is the main factor in purchasing a Costco Rotisserie Chicken. Consumers want to manage their meals without adding to their workload.
So, it should be no surprise that purchasing a Costco Chicken is on top of the list.
One of the most popular Cooked Rotisserie Chicken is from Costco. It’s inexpensive but delicious.
But the question is can you freeze it?
On some occasions, you will have some unfinished rotisserie chicken. It would be wasteful if you simply threw away the leftovers.
Just last week, I bought one and couldn’t finish it. It got me wondering can you freeze Costco rotisserie chicken?
The answer? I definitely can!
I was able to enjoy the leftovers at a later time and used it as an ingredient for other recipes. You should try it with soups and other dishes.
Shelf time is not a problem. When you store cooked rotisserie chicken in the freezer, you ensure its quality until about 4 months.
The chicken won’t become inedible if you keep it past that point; it will just stop tasting as wonderful. If you intend to preserve the chicken for longer than four months, make sure that you set your freezer at 0°F.
So, it’s possible to freeze the chicken. You now need to know how.
How to Freeze Costco Rotisserie Chicken
You might say that you can just shove that thing into the freezer. But that’s not how it goes.
If you desire to maintain the quality of your freezing rotisserie chicken, you must take extra steps.
Your Costco rotisserie chicken will retain all the original aromas and spices if you freeze it properly.
Your main steps are to cool and shred the Costco chicken.
It would be best not to store the item when still hot. If you do that, the temperature will affect the texture and flavor of the fresh chicken.
After letting the Costco rotisserie chicken cool down for a while, you can shred the meat off the bones.
The next thing you do is vacuum-pack the shredded chicken. Packing the chicken depends on the number of whole rotisseries you want to store.
Using plastic bags, you can portion the chicken. You can do the vacuuming and sealing once the chicken is in the bags.
Vacuum packing decreases atmospheric oxygen, reducing aerobic bacteria or fungi production and stopping volatile substances from evaporating. This process precedes the use of gasses for food preservation.
Afterward, you can put the chicken meat in a freezer wrap inside the freezer compartment.
Part of protecting the shredded rotisserie’s freshness is storing it in a protected freezer section. You can select a spot where there are no heavy items, and you can easily see them.
Piece of cake, right?
You would have to take the chicken meat out of the freezer. I’m sure you can’t wait a few days to try the rotisserie again.
What are the Steps in Thawing A Rotisserie Chicken?
So, it’s time to enjoy the yummy chicken again. Thawing a Costco Rotisserie Chicken is pretty straightforward.
Please get the chicken out of the freezer and thaw it until it is soft on the counter for a few hours.
Are you thawing an entire chicken?
To do that, you need to put it in the fridge overnight. For a few hours on the following day, set it on the kitchen counter before you thaw,
It will take longer to defrost larger servings of frozen chicken. You may always put the freezer baggies in warm (not boiling) water to hasten the procedure if you’re in a rush.
You may prepare your Costco rotisserie chicken in any method you might prepare cooked chicken once it has thawed. It tastes fantastic; dip it in mayonnaise.
This frozen cooked chicken is best with wraps, chicken salad, and sandwiches.
Alternatively, you may reheat rotisserie chicken in the oven!
What are the Steps to Heat a Rotisserie Chicken
After thawing, you can heat the chicken in the oven.
You may begin by preheating at 375°F.
Put the chicken in an oven-safe airtight container and tent it with tinfoil to contain the heat. You can add 1/2 to 1 cup of chicken broth or just water.
You can let it warm in the oven for a couple of minutes.
After about 20-30 minutes, you can take off the wrapping. You can rub in olive oil and roast it again for a few short minutes to make the skin crisp once more.
Before carving and serving, take off the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for five to seven minutes.
Ensure that you adhere to the steps given, so the chicken skin stays moist and crispy.
Do you have some questions? Discover some more information about your favorite meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do you know if the chicken is cool enough?
You have to consider the date and weather. The duration may vary, but one way to tell when it has cooled down enough is to look at whether or not the bottom fat has started to solidify.
Is there a limit on the number of times you can store a chicken in the freezer?
Costco’s Rotisserie Chicken’s flavor, texture, and quality will suffer from moisture loss due to repeated freezing and thawing; thus, it is better to freeze it once.
Can you freeze a whole rotisserie chicken?
Yes, you can freeze a whole rotisserie. Remember that if you chill an entire rotisserie chicken, you must thaw it out and consume it right away because you shouldn’t freeze it again once it has thawed.
How long can you freeze rotisserie chicken?
Your rotisserie meat will remain crisp in the fridge for a maximum of 4 months if you properly store it. But you may indefinitely store your rotisserie chicken if you maintain the recommended low temperature.
How can I tell if the rotisserie chicken from Costco is bad?
Rotisserie chicken begins to smell nasty after some time in poor storage conditions.
Touching the chicken also leaves a slimy impression. Make sure to throw the chicken if you notice these signs.
Final Thoughts
Costco rotisserie chickens are delicious, inexpensive, and super convenient. You can consume it as is or use the leftovers to create other meals.
Freezing rotisserie chickens is a breeze. So does thawing and heating it.
A rotisserie chicken dinner is truly heaven-sent if you are craving for an easy but delectable dinner. Picking up a chicken at Costco is advantageous on all counts.
