A store bought rotisserie chicken provides a quick meal option, either right away or for a later use. Adding your own flavorful rub to the chicken before you reheat allows the seasoning to soak into the meat and provide optimum flavor to the finished dish. Reheating properly ensures the chicken is safe to eat while preventing it from drying out.
Storing Rotisserie Chicken
Proper storage of the chicken is vital if it won't be served immediately. Illness-causing bacteria begins to grow in the chicken between the temperatures of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If the chicken won't be served right away, or if there is leftover chicken, wrap it in food-safe plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate it immediately. Use the chicken within three days, as it quickly begins to decline in quality and safety if stored refrigerated for a longer period.
Rub Options
Before reheating the chicken, a rub can add more flavor to the meat. The type of rub depends on the seasonings used in the original rotisserie cooking process at the store. Most store bought chickens have a simple savory seasoning. Sugar or honey may also be used for a slightly sweet flavor. The rub should complement the original seasoning for best flavor. For a sweet rotisserie chicken, a light rub of olive oil and honey works well. For a more savory chicken, combine olive oil with a pinch of salt and the herbs of your choice, such as tarragon, marjoram or sage.
Oven Reheating
Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken before placing it into the oven. Make sure the thermometer probe isn't in contact with a bone, as this can give a false reading. Rotisserie chicken requires reheating to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure food safety. Heating for 30 minutes at 350 F usually suffices, but refer to the meat thermometer and heat for a longer period as necessary. Covering the chicken in foil prevents the meat from drying out.
Microwave Reheating
The microwave provides a quick reheating option, but is best used for smaller pieces of chicken instead of the whole bird. Cut the chicken apart prior to applying the rub and arrange the pieces in a microwave-safe dish. The chicken must still be reheated to 165 F. The chicken packaging may contain microwave reheating tips. If it doesn't, use a microwave-safe thermometer to monitor the chicken during the reheating process. For previously cooked chicken, reheating at high power for two to three minutes might be sufficient. The microwave owners manual can give more exact cooking times for your microwave oven's power output. Smaller pieces reheat more quickly, so monitor the chicken closely as it cooks.
Member Comments