Hey! This site is reader-supported and we earn commissions if you purchase products from retailers after clicking on a link from our site.
Cooked Rotisserie Chicken from the supermarket is a fast, cheap and quick way to prepare a meal that is tasty and somewhat healthy. Costco rotisserie chicken for example can be bought cooked and ready to take home, carve and serve. However, if you don’t plan on eating your Costco rotisserie chicken, then you may be wondering, how long is rotisserie chicken good for?
Table of Contents
- How Long Does Rotisserie Chicken Last?
- Signs Your Rotisserie Chicken Has Gone Bad
- So How Long Can You Keep A Rotisserie Chicken?
- FAQ’S – How Long Is Rotisserie Chicken Good For?
How Long Does Rotisserie Chicken Last?
The cooked rotisserie chicken shelf life can vary based on a few factors. Ideally, for the best flavour and texture, it should be eaten immediately after purchase whilst it is still warm. However, sometimes this isn’t always possible, as such it’s crucial that you are aware of how long rotisserie chickens will remain safe for human consumption under different circumstances.
How Long Is A Rotisserie Chicken Good For On Your Countertop?
Under typical circumstances, a rotisserie chicken should not be left on a countertop for more than two hours. If it’s a particularly warm environment though, then this time can be reduced to less than one hour.
The reason for this is that bacteria grow rapidly at room temperature meaning that in these conditions they will quickly multiply. As a result, if cooked rotisserie chicken is left for too long in these conditions it will very quickly become unsafe to eat and therefore potentially cause foodborne illness.
If not planning to eat the whole bird immediately then you must carve and refrigerate your chicken in a proper food storage container.
How Long Is Rotisserie Chicken Good For In The Fridge?
As mentioned above when you have leftover cooked rotisserie chicken it should never be left out on the side for more than an hour. Instead, you should ensure that it is carefully and properly stored in your refrigerator.
The advantage of doing so is that your chicken will stay fresher and safe to eat for longer. As such, in the following days, it can be used for a variety of purposes such as on pizzas, in sandwiches or salads and even more. Honestly, the limits go about as far as your imagination!
Typically this chicken when stored properly should last between three and four days in the refrigerator. However, this will only be possible if kept in covered airtight containers such as Ziploc bags or Tupperware containers. Alternatively, they also can be stored in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic wrap, although these options can be messier as meat juice from the chicken may spill when unwrapped.
How Long Can You Keep A Cooked Rotisserie Chicken In The Freezer?
If not planning on eating your Costco rotisserie chicken within a few days then the solution is to freeze it as soon as possible. When doing so it is important to do so as soon as possible to avoid freezing bad rotisserie chicken. Additionally, it should be stored in shallow airtight containers, heavy-duty freezer bags or you can wrap tightly in freezer wrap, following which it must be kept constantly frozen until you are ready to eat it.
Once frozen through, the chicken should remain edible and safe to eat indefinitely. At least so long as it remains frozen the entire time as isn’t exposed to air. This is because whist the extreme cold of your freezer won’t kill bacteria, it will stagnate bacterial growth.
Whilst your rotisserie chicken can remain safe indefinitely when frozen, this doesn’t mean that it stays fresh. This is because when subjected to too much freezer time chicken deteriorates in quality as it dries out and potentially develops freezer burn. Again, if properly stored, it should be safe to eat, however, it will not be pleasant to eat as the chicken will be incredibly dry and lack flavour.
As such, when freezing chicken, it is recommended that you thaw and consume it within four months to ensure it remains appetising. For more information about freezing rotisserie chicken, click here.
Signs Your Rotisserie Chicken Has Gone Bad
- Discolouration: When chicken goes off it turns an unpleasant grey/green colour as its natural colouration fades.
- Mould: An obvious sign that any food is in the danger zone when it comes to consumption is the presence of mould. Typically, this will come hand in hand with the chicken displaying signs of discolouration. This may also appear as a fuzzy texture or fungi.
- Off Smell: Like many other foods, particularly meat, when chicken is off it will have a sour smell to it. It can also be tangy or like ammonia.
- Slimy Texture: Like with other meat products a slimy texture is a certain giveaway that your rotisserie chicken has gone bad.
If any of the above signs are noticed then you should immediately discard your rotisserie chicken. This is true even with frozen chicken as whilst it is less likely to go off in the freezer, it is still possible that this can happen.
Additionally, if unsure about if the chicken is off or not, you are best to err on the side of caution. This is is because even it doesn’t display any of the symptoms above, your chicken may still be harbouring dangerous bacteria.
So How Long Can You Keep A Rotisserie Chicken?
Depending on how it is stored dramatically affects how long your how long can you keep a rotisserie chicken fresh.
On a countertop, you’ll have one to two hours at most whilst if you refrigerate rotisserie chicken it last up to four days. Freezing is also an option, although after four months the chicken will likely begin to lose flavour or otherwise deteriorate.
However, if you notice any signs that the chicken is off, or you aren’t certain of freshness, you’re best getting rid of it.
Ultimately, your best bet is to eat your rotisserie chicken as soon as you possibly can. This will maximise the enjoyment of eating it and ensure that it will be safe to eat.
FAQ’S – How Long Is Rotisserie Chicken Good For?
Can you eat rotisserie chicken after 5 days?
Typically rotisserie chicken is best consumed within four days if stored properly in the refrigerator. Any later than this is really something of a gamble as even if the chicken looks safe it may be harbouring a dangerous amount of bacteria.
Can I eat cooked chicken after 5 days?
Usually, rotisserie chicken will need to be consumed within four days if stored properly in the refrigerator. Leaving it any later than this can be a bit of a risk since even if though the chicken may look safe it may be harbouring a dangerous amount of bacteria.
How long can you keep a cooked rotisserie chicken in the refrigerator?
Typically rotisseries chicken will stay fresh in the refrigerator for around three to four days. However, this is only when stored properly in an airtight container and wasn’t left on the countertop for a prolonged period of time.
How can you tell if rotisserie chicken is bad?
Signs that rotisserie chicken has gone bad are consistent with signs that most kinds of meat have gone off. The most obvious signifiers though will be discolouration, mould, a foul smell or a slimy texture.
