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If you usually buy grocery store rotisserie chicken, you will be at a loss. Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is the ideal way to get a tasty, high-protein dinner in a flash. Even more difficult handmade recipes, such as enchiladas or chicken noodle soup, that take a long time to prepare from scratch, can be made easier by using them.
In reality, however, not all rotisserie chickens are created equal. Some chickens are worth the money, while other birds can completely ruin dinner. It’s all too common to buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store with high expectations, only to find it dry, bland, or worse, oddly comforting texture-wise. While there are a few tricks to choosing a premium rotisserie chicken from the supermarket, we’ll save you the headache and tell you where to go if you’re in a good (and who isn’t?) mood.
Read more: 14 Never-Ending Food Debates
Methodology
Buying a bad rotisserie chicken at the grocery store can seem like a complete waste. To help you decide which is worth your time and money, we’ve examined internet reviews of grocery store rotisserie chicken customers across the country. We’ve used Yelp, Reddit and published rankings to determine the top options for your rotisserie chicken needs. We reviewed more than ten reviews for each grocery store chain and used the following criteria to evaluate them: Overall quality, taste, value, and texture are the factors we think are most important to grocery store rotisserie chicken.
While there was obviously a great deal of variation in location, date of purchase, and reviewers’ individual preferences, we were able to provide the most unbiased evaluations, with broad agreement based on observed trends. A set of reviews we checked. That way, you can increase your chances of getting the largest bird available and satisfying your need for rotisserie chicken.
Buy: Costco Rotisserie Chicken
It’s certainly controversial, but there’s overwhelming evidence that Costco’s rotisserie chicken is really good. Especially considering how this is the most affordable option on the list. In fact, Costco does this on purpose to attract customers. Despite rising inflation, Costco’s chicken has been $4.99 since 2009, not a dollar higher.
According to many reviews the bird is a bit on the salty side, but not unbearable. You’ll also find that the bird is well-seasoned and ideal for eating right out of the packaging. In terms of flavor, Costco chicken has an advantage because it is known to be extremely juicy, an important quality for any rotisserie chicken. Not only is the meat itself delicious, but it also has a crisp exterior, which is clearly a desired attribute. Don’t oversize this rotisserie chicken—which weighs three pounds—you need the largest rotisserie bird available. It is also truly non-vegetarian, which adds to its value.
Avoid: Fresh Market Rotisserie Chicken
We hate to break the news to you, but even if you frequent Fresh Market, the rotisserie chicken you’ve been eyeing isn’t worth the money. The primary reason is that it continues to commit one crime in rotisserie chicken history that is unforgivable: it’s consistently dry. Whether you want to use chicken on its own or as an ingredient in a more elaborate recipe, it can be quite a chore.
Apart from the dry meat, you will not be affected by the skin. It is reported to be extremely mild and have no discernible flavors. It’s also tough, which adds to the overall bad taste in every mouthful. This rotisserie chicken is expensive, which makes things worse. This is not surprising since Fresh Market is an expensive food store, but it is disappointing because the chickens there are not even 2 pounds. You’d be wise to conclude that the bird isn’t worth nearly $10.
Buy: Sprouts Rotisserie Chicken
If you put a premium on ingredients when shopping for food, we recommend getting a rotisserie chicken from Sprouts. No antibiotics, hormones or steroids are used in the chain’s rotisserie chicken production. The biggest thing is that the chicken tastes really fantastic. It is perfectly prepared and tastes fresh with subtle but clear overtones of garlic, onion and parsley. It is also famous for having a unique, extra-delicious smoky flavor. Keep in mind that a 4-ounce serving size contains 880 mg of sodium, so be careful with this rotisserie chicken in moderation.
Sprout’s Rotisserie Chicken is undoubtedly one of the juiciest options available without being too moist or oily. This supermarket shop probably won’t sell you dry rotisserie chicken. The overall texture is inviting; There are no greasy or stringy bits here, which is a huge plus. Even if you can’t get the crispy skin that you get with rotisserie chicken at different grocery stores, it’s worth a try.
Avoid: Whole Foods Rotisserie Chicken
One thing about Whole Foods is that they care about the quality of their products when it comes to ready-made rotisserie chicken. The supermarket chain highlights on its website that its meat is raised humanely, meaning animals are allowed to roam free. Thus, it stands to reason that chicken would be a better option compared to other supermarkets.
Unfortunately, evaluations suggest that there are better solutions available. Most people agree that Whole Foods’ rotisserie chicken is tasteless and a bit dry. You may not find the appearance of the chicken impressive at all, its skin has a somewhat frayed aspect to it. This can be really frustrating, especially considering how expensive food is at the store. If you’re making a savory chicken dish, like enchiladas, and want to dress it up with your own spices and a few extra wet ingredients, this might be a great option for you. If not, you may want to try another grocery store for rotisserie chicken instead of this one.
Buy: Smart And Final Rotisserie Chicken
If you’re looking for something good that will last for several dinners, look no further than Smart & Final’s rotisserie chickens. There’s a ton of meat on these big oven-roasted birds. That’s undoubtedly a good thing because customers have left this chicken with glowing reviews—some say it’s the best they’ve ever tasted at the grocery store. This keeps the chicken juicy the day after you buy it, so you won’t be left with a lot of dry chicken that you have to eat or throw away. This makes it a great option for leftovers.
Avoid: Winn-Dixie Rotisserie Chicken
First of all, it looks immediately unpleasant. Its color is frequently reported to be pale pink, indicating that it may be overcooked or lacking in seasoning. But the texture of the meat takes a fatal blow. The inside of the chicken should ideally be soft and almost pillowy. Unfortunately, Winn-Dixie chicken is more likely to have a firmer consistency and a more fatty feel. Additionally, this chicken loses the roasted flavor that initially makes rotisserie chicken so delicious, as evidenced by its lighter color. It is not uncommon for these birds to be completely undercooked. So, if you see a Winn-Dixie rotisserie chicken, it might be in your best interest to buy it.
Buy: Sam’s Club Rotisserie Chicken
Although Sam’s Club reviews aren’t always good, they lean more in that direction. Which is significant, especially in light of the numerous comments stating that these chickens are superior to those found at Costco. Despite their smaller size, they cook better and have more flavor. They cost around $5, which is practically a deal.
You’ll immediately notice that Sam’s Club has perfected the seasoned flavor that’s essential to a good rotisserie chicken when you take a bite of their chicken. It is also mentioned that the skin is surprisingly crispy. However, you can’t always get moist chicken. Although some reviews highlight the chicken’s moistness, others say it’s dry. While the chicken is less likely to dry out, you won’t notice if you lightly coat each piece with the sauce.
Avoid: Walmart Rotisserie Chicken
It will surprise no one to hear that Walmart is on the list to avoid rotisserie chickens. Reviews highlight a few things, starting with the fatty quality and general weird texture that deviates from regular chicken. The chicken is also juicy, although some have complained that it’s almost too juicy – it’s greasy and practically falls apart – although some will appreciate that. Another point of contention is the taste of the chicken, which is generally found to be insufficient and sometimes unpleasant.
Still, you might get lucky and get a decent chicken at Walmart; Many customers have said that the quality amazes them. At just 250 milligrams of sodium per three ounces, it’s relatively low in sodium compared to other products on this list. Thus, if you are watching your salt intake, this may be the ideal chicken for you. That being said, it’s doubtful you’ll find better rotisserie chicken here than competitors’ offerings. Thus, if you have the chance, we suggest not buying the Walmart rotisserie chicken.
Buy: Publix Rotisserie Chicken
While Publix is known for its mouth-watering sandwiches, have you tried their rotisserie chicken? According to reviews, it’s decent, but ultimately nothing to write home about. One thing Publix has consistently gotten right is taste. There are tons of recipes to choose from, including mojo, lemon chili, and original, and it has a lot of depth.
It’s hit or miss when it comes to moisture content. You’ll be lucky to get a perfectly juicy chicken or you’ll end up with something dry. Just be careful, because you will find a small piece of fat behind the skin. However, it’s safe to say that most residents love Publix rotisserie chicken—in fact, they love it Because they seem to run out every time. If you find yourself in one of the eight states where Publix is present and want to try the chicken, your best bet is to call ahead and place an order.
Avoid: Kroger Rotisserie Chicken
Reviews of Kroger’s rotisserie chicken frequently highlight how dry the meat is. It is also reported in largely good reviews. Some even say that the meat is so dry that eating it regularly leaves a powdery taste in the mouth. We advise against buying Kroger’s rotisserie chicken for this main reason.
In addition to the flesh being dry, the skin is noted to be tasteless and lacking any apparent crunch. In most cases, it looks very pale, which is definitely not a good sign. At just 2 pounds, the chicken will be very small, so it’s not an ideal choice if you want it to last more than a meal or two. In the end, we decided that soup recipes that call for shredded chicken, like chicken mulligatoni or caldo de pollo, would taste fantastic with this rotisserie chicken. However, if you plan to serve the bird as a main entrée, it may be better to purchase the bird from a different grocery store.
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