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Can You Freeze Rotisserie Chicken? Everything you need to know.


You can freeze raw chicken, but can you freeze rotisserie chicken? There will be times when you won’t be able to consume the whole chicken in one sitting. However, since you do not want the leftover chicken to go to waste, you may be wondering: Does rotisserie chicken freeze well?

The answer is yes; homemade or store-bought rotisserie chicken can be frozen within two days of cooking. It freezes well, and when defrosted properly, it will remain fresh and ready to use in any meal.

Freezing and reheating rotisserie chicken allows you to enjoy this dish to the last piece without wasting any part of the chicken. 

freezer bag filled with sliced rotisserie chicken

Best Ways To Use Leftover Rotisserie Chicken

Throwing away leftover rotisserie chicken should be the last thing on your list because there are plenty of ways to use it.

For additional flavor and nutrition, leftover cooked rotisserie chickens can be added to many dishes, such as: 

  • Wraps or sandwiches
  • Chicken salad
  • Stir-fries
  • Breakfast hash
  • Shredded and added to stews and soups
  • Pizza

How Long Is Rotisserie Chicken Good For? 

It is safe to refrigerate rotisserie chicken for up to four days. However, it would be best to ensure the temperature in your fridge is at 40°F or colder to keep your chicken fresh out of the danger zone. 

How To Freeze Cooked Rotisserie Chicken

Indeed, freezing rotisserie chicken is the best way to preserve it and ensure that it will still be good when you are ready to consume it again. However, if you don’t know how to prep your chicken for freezing, you might not get the results you are hoping for.

Here’s a complete guide for freezing your cooked rotisserie chicken:

How To Freeze Whole Rotisserie Chicken

Freezing the whole chicken requires less prep time than the other methods and is a great idea if you have plenty of room in your freezer.

Here’s how to freeze your whole rotisserie chicken steps:

  1. Thoroughly cool the chicken. Place it in the fridge overnight to be at a safe temperature before freezing.
  2. Once cooled, take the chicken out of the container to prevent condensation. Condensation can affect the taste of the chicken when it is frozen and thawed. 
  3. Write the date on a large freezer bag. 
  4. Place the chicken inside the bag. 
  5. Release all the excess air inside the bag like that of a vacuum pack to prevent freezer burn. Doing this will also make the chicken last longer in the freezer if you do not plan to use it within the next few weeks. 
  6. Seal the bag. 
  7. Place the bag of rotisserie chicken inside the freezer. 

How To Freeze Rotisserie Chicken off the Bone

Freezing store-bought or homemade rotisserie chicken off the bone will give you a ready addition to your soups or chicken salad after thawing.

It is recommended to freeze rotisserie chicken in serving sizes so thawing will not take too long.

Freeze rotisserie chicken off the bone using these steps:

  1. Start by deboning chicken while still warm, so the meat easily falls off the bone.
  2. Cut or shred the chicken meat according to your preference and needs.
  3. Divide the chicken meat into parts of one serving size.
  4. Wrap each serving of chicken with plastic wrap.  
  5. Place each wrap in heavy-duty freezer bags. 
  6. Ensure there is little to no air inside the bag. 
  7. Label the bag with the date when you put it in. 
  8. Place the bag in the freezer. 

How To Freeze Rotisserie Chicken on the Bone

When freezing rotisserie chicken with its bone, follow the same instructions for freezing a deboned one except for the part where you place chicken in freezer bags. The bones can easily puncture the bag, which can cause cross-contamination or freezer burn throughout the freezing process. Thus, you should use hard plastic airtight containers.

How To Freeze Leftover Rotisserie Chicken

Partially eaten rotisserie chicken can be saved for later consumption. You just have to be sure to prep it properly to avoid spoilage and contamination.

Here’s how:

  1. Remove all bones that no longer have any meat on them. Discard the bones or save them for chicken stock. 
  2. Allow your rotisserie chicken to cool overnight in the fridge to prevent condensation that can affect the flavor and taste of the chicken after thawing. 
  3. Write the date and contents on large freezer bags. 
  4. Press out all the air in the freezer bags and seal them. Skipping this part can cause the chicken to be dry and chewy after thawing. 
  5. Place the freezer bags in the freezer. 

How Long Can You Keep Cooked Chicken Frozen?

Cooked chicken in the fridge has up to four days of shelf life. In the freezer, it can last for up to four months. 

Remember, the longer you keep your rotisserie chicken frozen, the more it will lose its texture and flavor. 

How To Reheat Rotisserie Chicken

Reheat your frozen rotisserie chicken straight out of the freezer, but it is better to thaw it first.

You must properly thaw the chicken to maintain its delicious flavor and taste. When thawing, remember the 2-hour rule: never leave the chicken out of refrigeration for more than 2 hours.

If you want to save time whilst cooking, submerge the bag with chicken in cold water to speed up the thawing process. 

Remember that you should only thaw and reheat chicken only once. The more you thaw and reheat the chicken, the more you expose yourself to food poisoning. 

Heating Whole Rotisserie Chicken in the Oven

Enjoy the crispy skin of your rotisserie chicken even when frozen, thawed, and reheated in the oven with the help of some chicken broth.

Here are the steps to heat your chicken using the oven:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. 
  2. Place your rotisserie chicken in an oven-safe dish. 
  3. Cover your chicken with tinfoil. The tinfoil will trap the heat allowing your chicken to heat well. 
  4. Pour about a cup of chicken broth or water into the bottom of the dish.
  5. Reheat the chicken in the oven for about 20 minutes. 
  6. Remove the tinfoil and drizzle the chicken with some olive oil. 
  7. Roast the chicken for another 10 minutes. The extra heating time will make the skin of the chicken crispy. 
  8. Remove the rotisserie chicken from the oven. 
  9. Allow the chicken to cool for about 5 minutes before serving. 

Heating Whole Rotisserie Chicken in an Air Fryer

Reheating your chicken rotisserie in an air fryer will allow the chicken skin to be crispy and the entire chicken moist in the shortest time. 

If your air fryer can accommodate it, reheat the frozen whole chicken. Otherwise, chop the chicken into smaller pieces. 

Follow these steps to use an air fryer to reheat chicken:

  1. Thaw your chicken. 
  2. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. 
  3. Prepare the chicken in sizes that can fit into the air fryer. 
  4. Place the chicken on the fryer racks or basket. 
  5. Set your air fryer to 5 minute-cooking time. 
  6. Remove the chicken from the air fryer when it is crispy. 
  7. Cool your chicken rotisserie for a few minutes before serving. 

Heating Rotisserie Chicken Pieces on the Stove

Using the good old stove is also a great way to prep your chicken for consumption again.

Reheat your rotisserie chicken off the bone on the stove by following these steps:

  1. Add some cooking spray or vegetable oil to a non-stick frying pan.
  2.  Place the shredded or chopped rotisserie chicken pieces in the frying pan. 
  3. Heat over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Make sure to turn the chicken with a spatula, so it does not burn. Be careful not to overcook the chicken pieces because they will become tough and chewy.

Heating Rotisserie Chicken in an Instant Pot

An instant pot is a versatile appliance you can use in many ways, including reheating chicken.

Follow these steps to reheat rotisserie chicken in an instant pot:

  1. Wrap your rotisserie chicken in aluminum foil. 
  2. Pour a cup of water into the Instant Pot. 
  3. Place the trivet inside the pot. 
  4. Put the chicken on top. 
  5. Place the lid and set the vent to “sealed.”
  6. Set the Instant Pot to “steam.”
  7. Cook your chicken for about two to three minutes. Take note that the steaming time will depend on the size of the chicken. 

Heating Whole Rotisserie Chicken in the Microwave

The microwave can also be used to reheat your chicken quicker.

Here are the steps to do so:

  1. Place your chicken in a microwave-safe dish. 
  2. Microwave your chicken for about 1 ½ minutes. 
  3. Reheat your chicken at 30-second intervals until you achieve your desired doneness.

Heating Rotisserie Chicken in a Slow Cooker

Reheating rotisserie chicken in a slow cooker may take a few hours, but it is also a viable option if you want to make it more delicious and moist. 

Steps to reheat rotisserie chicken using a slow cooker:

  1. Pour about 1 cup to 1 ½ cup of water into the bottom of the slow cooker. 
  2. Place your chicken inside the slow cooker.
  3. Place the slow cooker cover. 
  4. Heat your chicken for about 3-4 hours on low and 2-3 hours on high. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does rotisserie chicken last in the fridge?

Your rotisserie chicken can stay in your fridge for up to four days. In the freezer, your chicken lasts for up to four months. Eating your rotisserie chicken beyond this point can cause foodborne illnesses.

Can you freeze a whole rotisserie chicken?

Yes, a whole rotisserie chicken can be frozen. When you thaw a frozen chicken, you should eat the entire rotisserie chicken within a few days. Avoid refreezing your chicken after thawing.

Can you freeze rotisserie chicken on the bone?

Yes, it is okay to freeze rotisserie chicken with its bone.

However, doing these comes with a lot of disadvantages, including the following:

Slower thawing and reheating process

Uneven freezing of the chicken

Bigger portions of the rotisserie chicken are more challenging to store because they consume more freezer space

It is, therefore, easier to freeze shredded or chopped chicken rotisserie instead of freezing it with the bone. Additionally, shredded chicken rotisserie will be quicker to reheat and will have a better taste. 

Final Thoughts

It is unforgivable to waste leftover rotisserie chicken because you can still use them in many ways. You can freeze, thaw, and reheat the chicken with almost no downsides. So, the next time you ask yourself the questions ‘Can you freeze rotisserie chicken?’ and ‘Does rotisserie chicken freeze?’, the short answer is yes.

When freezing, it is always best to wrap your rotisserie chicken in heavy-duty aluminum foil, cling wrap, or its original wrap before placing them in a freezer bag. To prevent freezer burn, remember to release all the air, similar to a vacuum pack, before sealing it.

Chicken can be frozen for up to four months, but the longer it stays in the freezer, the more you compromise its flavor and texture.

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Natalia | Flavorful home
Natalia is a recipe developer, food photographer, and home cook. She started Flavorful Home to document her recipes and share home cooking tips. She loves creating flavorful and nutritious meals while keeping the cooking process simple and joyful!
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