Winner, winner, chicken dinner! If your dinner is rotisserie chicken, then you undoubtedly are a winner!
Not only is it super delicious, but it’s highly affordable as well! They haven’t increased its price since 2009.
What a steal, right?
That’s why it doesn’t come as a surprise that many people love buying it in bulk.
If you’re one of them, we can’t blame you.
But will you be able to make the most out of those 5 packs of chicken you just bought? What will you do with the leftover chicken?
To do so, you need to freeze rotisserie chicken properly. But wait, can rotisserie chicken be frozen?
- Good news: Yes, you can freeze both homemade and store bought rotisserie chicken.
- Bad news: You might not be able to fully enjoy the flavors and spices of your Costco rotisserie chicken if you don’t freeze it the right way.
So how do you freeze Costco rotisserie chicken? Read on to read the full guide!
In this article, you’ll also learn the answers to the following questions:
Are you ready to win this chicken dinner? If so, let’s dig in!
How Long Can You Keep Cooked Chicken in the Freezer?
A rotisserie chicken can last for 4 to 5 days when stored in the refrigerator. But, if that’s still a bit too short for you, freezing rotisserie chicken is the way to go.
The shelf life of frozen rotisserie chicken is around 4 months. However, if the chicken is properly stored and your freezer is always set to 0 degrees, it can last indefinitely.
How to Freeze Rotisserie Chicken: The Step by Step Guide
With that said, how do you store rotisserie chicken the right way?
Below are the steps involved in the freezing process of both home-cooked rotisserie chicken and Costco rotisserie chicken:
Step 1: Let it cool down first.
If you’ve just cooked your homemade rotisserie chicken or your Costco rotisserie chicken is still a bit hot, take some time to let it cool down.
You can do this by letting it sit at room temperature for half an hour or so.
- Warning: Freezing rotisserie chicken while it’s still hot can negatively affect its texture and taste.
Step 2: Shred the chicken.
Rotisserie chicken is best frozen shredded instead of as a whole with bones for lots of good reasons.
For one, you can save freezer space when you shred the chicken first. Also, shredded chicken is easier and faster to thaw than whole chicken.
To make the shredding process easier, cut the chicken in the middle—the part which separates the two legs. After that, tale the legs apart, cut the entire skin and the wings, and then shred the chicken.
- Pro Tip: Make sure to wear disposable vinyl gloves to avoid sticky.
Step 3: Wrap the shredded chicken in freezer-safe plastic wrap.
Portion the chicken according to how much you think you’ll need to use in one serving. After that, place the shredded chicken in the middle of parchment or butcher’s paper.
To prevent freezer burn, wrap the paper with multiple layers of plastic wrap.
You can also place the wrapped chicken inside a freezer-safe resealable plastic bag as an added protection.
- Pro Tip: If you’re freezing an entire rotisserie chicken, it’s best to vacuum pack it. Vacuum packing eliminates air inside the plastic bag and lowers the risk of bacterial contamination.
Step 4: Label the plastic bag.
Make sure to indicate the date of storage in the plastic bag so you can determine when it’s safe for you to use the frozen chicken.
Ensure that the bag is tightly sealed before putting it in the deep freezer.
How to Reheat Rotisserie Chicken
So you’re finally ready to use your Costco rotisserie chicken, what should you do?
There are many ways how to reheat frozen chicken. Here are some of them:
1. Using an oven
If you’re going to reheat an entire chicken, using an oven is the way to go.
All you need to do is wrap it in aluminum foil and bake it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes.
2. In the microwave
For shredded chicken, microwave it for only 1 ½ minute, while it may take around 5 to 6 minutes to reheat a whole rotisserie chicken.
3. In the stove
You can also reheat shredded chicken on your stovetop.
To do this, place oil in the frying pan over medium heat.
Add the shredded chicken for 4 to 5 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the other questions you may still have:
The Bottom Line
Everyone loves rotisserie chicken—us included! And there’s nothing wrong if you want to stock up and buy rotisserie chicken in bulk.
However, you must ensure that you won’t be putting it to waste. That’s why it’s a must that you follow all the storage tips that we’ve mentioned, including the proper steps on how to thaw and reheat the frozen chicken.
