Rotisserie chicken is a great dinner shortcut - simple, versatile, and cheap. Freezing store bought or homemade rotisserie chicken is one of the best ways to save money and time. It will taste just like it did before and makes cooking a breeze!
You can freeze raw chicken, but can you freeze rotisserie chicken? Yes! Homemade or store-bought rotisserie chicken can be frozen within two days of cooking (or purchase).
If you're looking to cut down on food waste, bought the cult classic $4.99 Costco chicken in bulk, or couldn't eat the entire chicken in one sitting (not for lack of trying), don't worry! You can store rotisserie chicken in the freezer for up to 3 months, and when defrosted properly, it will taste just as fresh as before.
You'll always have a protein on hand for busy weeknight dinners without wasting any part of the chicken.
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How To Freeze Whole Rotisserie Chicken
To freeze a whole rotisserie chicken, allow it to cool completely. You never want to freeze chicken while it's still hot. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
A cooked rotisserie chicken can be refrigerated for 2-3 days before freezing, but it's better to freeze on the same day. The quality and flavor will decrease the longer you wait.
Freezing Cooked Chicken
You can freeze rotisserie chicken whole, on the bone, or shredded. It depends on what you plan to use it for. Deconstructing the chicken before freezing allows you to wrap individual portions to thaw quickly and add to meals.
To freeze a whole rotisserie chicken, allow it to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Break down the chicken and individually wrap the wings, thighs, and breasts. Place in a ziploc bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze.
Shred the chicken into smaller pieces and remove the bone. Transfer pieces to a ziploc bag and remove as much air as possible. Freeze and store for up to 3 months.
Hint: You can also shred chicken with an egg beater. Shoutout to TikTok for your life-changing food hacks
How To Thaw Rotisserie Chicken
To thaw a whole chicken, remove from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator overnight. You can also place the airtight container in the sink and fill it with cold water to thaw in about 3-4 hours.
For shredded chicken or chicken parts, place your ziploc bag in the refrigerator overnight or submerge in cold water.
How To Reheat Rotisserie Chicken
The best way to reheat a whole rotisserie chicken is in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes with 1 cup of chicken broth to keep it from drying out.
Once your individual pieces or shredded chicken have defrosted entirely, simply add them to your favorite pasta dish or heat them up in the microwave.
Can You Freeze Store Bought Rotisserie Chicken
Yes, store bought rotisserie chicken is great for freezing. I love buying a few at a time, using one for dinner and freezing the others along with any leftovers.
If you decide to buy your $4.99 Costco rotisserie chickens in bulk, make sure to freeze them on the same day you bought them after letting them cool completely.
What To Serve With Leftover Chicken
Leftover rotisserie chicken is perfect for tossing in soups or White Bean Chicken Chili, wraps, salads, or reheated and eaten as is! Try mixing it with pesto pasta, rice bowls, or as a pizza topping.
Can You Freeze Rotisserie Chicken?
Ingredients
- 1 rotisserie chicken
- Ziploc bags
- Airtight container, if freezing a whole chicken
- Saran wrap
Instructions
Freezing a Whole Rotisserie Chicken
- Allow chicken to cool completely at room temperature. You never want to freeze chicken when it's cooked. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Freezing Cooked Chicken
- Cut the chicken into parts and individually wrap the wings, thighs, and breasts with saran wrap. Place pieces in a ziploc bag and remove as much air as possible. Store in the freezer.
- If shredding, use your hands (or egg beater) to shred chicken. Place chicken in a ziploc bag and remove as much air as possible. Store in the freezer.
Did you try this? Let us know!