Rotisserie chicken is a weeknight dinner hero. Convenient, flavorful, and readily available at most grocery stores, it’s a fantastic shortcut to a satisfying meal. But what happens when you have leftovers, or you buy one in advance for a future meal? Reheating rotisserie chicken can be tricky. The goal is to revive that succulent, juicy bird without drying it out, and ideally, even restore some of that delightful crispy skin. This guide will walk you through the best methods for How To Reheat Rotisserie Chicken, ensuring it’s just as delicious the second time around as it was fresh from the store.
The Best Methods for Reheating Rotisserie Chicken
There are several effective ways to reheat a rotisserie chicken, each with its own set of advantages. We’ll cover the most popular and reliable methods to help you choose the best approach for your needs and equipment.
1. Reheating Rotisserie Chicken in the Oven: The Tried and True Method
The oven is a fantastic tool for reheating a whole rotisserie chicken because it provides gentle, even heat, which helps to maintain moisture and prevent drying. This method is ideal when you want to reheat a larger portion or the entire chicken and achieve a balance of juicy meat and reasonably crispy skin.
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Allow your oven to fully preheat to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare a baking dish. Place the rotisserie chicken in a 13×9 inch oven-safe baking dish. Using a dish that’s just slightly larger than the chicken is ideal.
- Add moisture. Pour about 1 cup of chicken broth into the bottom of the dish, around the chicken. The steam from the broth will help keep the chicken moist during reheating. You can also use water, but chicken broth adds a bit more flavor.
- Cover with foil. Tightly cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. This is crucial for trapping moisture and preventing the chicken from drying out.
- Bake. Place the covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through. The exact time will depend on the size and starting temperature of your chicken. You want the internal temperature to reach a safe and palatable warmth, but avoid overcooking.
- Crisp the skin (optional). If you desire crispier skin, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking and increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C). Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning. This step helps to evaporate surface moisture and re-crisp the skin.
- Rest before serving. Once heated through, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before carving and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful meat.
2. Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken: For Super Crispy Skin in Minutes
If crispy skin is your top priority, or if you’re short on time, the air fryer is your best friend for reheating rotisserie chicken. This method excels at quickly and efficiently reheating the chicken while making the skin incredibly crispy.
Instructions:
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Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Preheating is important for consistent results in an air fryer.
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Prepare the chicken. Remove the rotisserie chicken from its packaging. There’s no need to add any extra oil.
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Air fry. Place the whole chicken or portions of it in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd it if you are reheating pieces. Air fry for 3-7 minutes, depending on whether the chicken is still slightly warm or cold from the fridge.
- Slightly warm chicken: 3 minutes
- Cold chicken from the fridge: 5-7 minutes
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Check for crispiness and temperature. Check the chicken for crispiness and ensure it’s heated through. If needed, you can air fry for an additional minute or two. Be careful not to overheat, as air fryers can heat food quickly.
Tips for Air Fryer Reheating:
- Don’t overcrowd. If you have a smaller air fryer, reheat the chicken in portions to ensure even crisping.
- Watch carefully. Air fryers can vary, so keep an eye on the chicken to prevent it from becoming too dry or burnt.
- For extra dry chicken: If your chicken seems a bit dry before reheating, you can lightly brush it with a bit of melted butter or chicken broth before air frying to add a touch of moisture.
3. Reheating Rotisserie Chicken in the Microwave: A Quick but Less Ideal Option
While the microwave is undeniably the fastest way to reheat food, it’s generally not recommended for reheating a whole rotisserie chicken. Microwaving can easily lead to uneven heating and dry, rubbery chicken. However, if you’re in a real hurry and only need to reheat a small portion, it can be done with care.
Instructions for Microwave Reheating (for pieces only):
- Remove the chicken from the bone. It’s best to reheat chicken in pieces in the microwave to promote more even heating. Slice the breast portions and separate the thighs and drumsticks.
- Add moisture. Place the chicken pieces on a microwave-safe plate and drizzle with a tablespoon or two of chicken broth or water.
- Cover with a damp paper towel. This helps to trap moisture and prevent the chicken from drying out too much.
- Microwave in short intervals. Microwave on medium power in 1-2 minute intervals, checking the chicken after each interval. Microwave for a total of 2-4 minutes, or until just heated through. Avoid overheating, as this will make the chicken dry and tough.
- Check temperature. Ensure the chicken is heated through but be mindful of not overcooking.
Why Microwave is Less Ideal:
- Uneven heating: Microwaves heat food from the inside out, which can lead to some parts being hot while others are still cold.
- Drying out: Microwaving can easily evaporate moisture, resulting in dry chicken.
- Texture change: The texture of the skin can become rubbery and unpleasant in the microwave.
4. Stovetop Reheating for Shredded or Pieces of Rotisserie Chicken: Perfect for Small Portions
The stovetop method is best suited for reheating shredded rotisserie chicken or smaller pieces, especially when you plan to incorporate them into dishes like soups, tacos, or casseroles. It’s a quick and efficient way to heat up pre-shredded chicken without drying it out.
Instructions:
- Prepare a skillet. Coat a skillet with a teaspoon of oil or non-stick cooking spray and place it over medium heat.
- Add chicken and moisture. Add the shredded or pieces of rotisserie chicken to the skillet. Drizzle with a small amount of water or chicken broth (about 1-2 tablespoons per cup of chicken).
- Cover and heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about a minute. Then, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and cook for an additional 2-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is warmed through. The lid helps to trap moisture and prevent drying.
- Check temperature. Ensure the chicken is heated through and avoid overcooking.
Pro Tips for Reheating Rotisserie Chicken and Keeping it Juicy
- Start with room temperature chicken (optional). While not always necessary, letting the chicken sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before reheating can help it heat more evenly.
- Add moisture. Using chicken broth or water in the oven or skillet is key to preventing dryness.
- Don’t overheat. Overheating is the enemy of juicy chicken. Reheat just until the chicken is warmed through. You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature if desired (165°F/74°C is the safe temperature, but for reheated cooked chicken, ensuring it’s hot throughout is usually sufficient).
- Crisp skin at the end. If crispy skin is desired, use the air fryer or the oven’s broiler setting for a few minutes at the end of the reheating process.
- Consider the use. If you are shredding the chicken for tacos or salads, a slight loss of crispiness is less important than maintaining juicy meat. Choose the method that best suits your final dish.
FAQs About Reheating Rotisserie Chicken
How long can you refrigerate a rotisserie chicken?
Fully cooked rotisserie chicken should be refrigerated promptly and consumed within 3 to 4 days for optimal quality and safety. Most stores label their rotisserie chickens with a “cooked on” or “sell by” date. Always adhere to these guidelines. If you need to store it longer, remove the meat from the bone and freeze it in airtight containers for up to 2-3 months.
Do you have to reheat rotisserie chicken to 165°F (74°C)?
Commercially prepared rotisserie chicken is already fully cooked. Therefore, technically, you don’t need to reheat it to 165°F (74°C) for safety. However, ensuring it’s heated thoroughly to a palatable warm temperature is recommended for best taste and food safety practices. If you want to be absolutely sure, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the thigh, aiming for at least 165°F (74°C).
Can you reheat a whole rotisserie chicken in the microwave?
While possible, reheating a whole rotisserie chicken in the microwave is not ideal and can easily lead to dry, unevenly heated results and rubbery skin. It’s better to remove the meat from the bone and reheat it in pieces using the microwave method described above, or opt for oven, air fryer, or stovetop methods for better quality.
Can I reheat rotisserie chicken on the stove?
Yes, the stovetop method is excellent for reheating shredded or pieces of rotisserie chicken. It’s quick, efficient, and allows you to control the moisture level. It’s particularly well-suited for reheating chicken that will be incorporated into other dishes.
Can I eat rotisserie chicken cold?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat cold straight from the refrigerator. Cold rotisserie chicken is delicious in salads, sandwiches, or wraps.
Enjoy Perfectly Reheated Rotisserie Chicken
With these methods, you can confidently reheat rotisserie chicken and enjoy it just as much as the first time. Whether you prioritize crispy skin with the air fryer, even heating with the oven, or quick reheating of pieces on the stovetop or microwave (for pieces only), you’re now equipped to revive your rotisserie chicken leftovers into a delicious and satisfying meal.
