Recreating rotisserie chicken at home is entirely possible, and it can be done in your regular, conventional oven with this recipe for Baked Rotisserie Chicken. Getting a few very simple ingredients ready will only take you 10 minutes, and the chicken will always be sweet and juicy. Learn how to make this family friendly oven baked rotisserie chicken and create a delicious dinner without the grocery store trip.

The store-bought birds are roasted in a special way, but did you know that you can make rotisserie chicken at home with just a regular oven?

It is! I’ve made Rotisserie chicken in a slow cooker with wonderful results, and now I’ve developed this baked rotisserie chicken in the oven that is just a simple, SO EASY, and SO GOOD!.

It’s a great way to have a whole, roasted chicken ready for the dinner table, perfect for a Sunday roast chicken dinner, or get one prepped for the dozens of other recipes for leftover Rotisserie chicken on my site.

Cooking a juicy, flavorful rotisserie chicken at home is easier than you think! With just a few simple steps and ingredients, you can make this classic roast chicken right in your own oven or grill. Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to cook rotisserie chicken

What You Need

Whole chicken (3-5 lbs)
Vegetable or olive oil
Salt and pepper
Spice rub (optional)
Butcher twine
Roasting pan
Instant-read thermometer

Prep the Bird

Rinse the chicken under cold water and thoroughly pat dry with paper towels, inside and out. Make sure to remove any giblets or other innards from the cavity. Tuck the wings under the body and tie the legs together with butcher twine so the chicken maintains its shape.

Generously coat the outside all over with vegetable oil or olive oil. This helps the skin get crispy and golden brown. Season the cavity with salt and pepper. For extra flavor, you can rub a spice blend all over the outside of the chicken. Try recipes like herb butter, lemon pepper, or Creole seasoning.

Choose Your Cooking Method

There are two easy ways to cook rotisserie-style chicken at home

Oven Method

Place the chicken breast-side up in a roasting pan fitted with a rack.
Roast at 425°F for 15 minutes to start.
Reduce heat to 350°F and continue roasting for 60-75 minutes more until fully cooked through. Baste every 20 minutes with pan drippings.

Grill Method

Preheat your grill with rotisserie attachment to medium-high heat.
Skewer the chicken onto the rotisserie spit.
Grill over indirect heat with the lid closed, rotating frequently, for 60-90 minutes until fully cooked through.

Check for Doneness

The best way to ensure your chicken is fully cooked is to use an instant-read thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the thigh but not touching bone. It should register 165°F when done.

If you stick a knife in the thigh, the juices should come out clean. When you press on the legs and thighs with tongs, they will feel firm instead of soft.

Let It Rest

Once your chicken reaches the proper internal temperature, remove it from the oven or grill. Carefully transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 10-15 minutes. This allows the juices to reabsorb back into the meat so it stays juicy and moist.

Carve and Serve

Use a sharp carving knife to cut the chicken into pieces. First remove the legs by slicing through the skin between the thigh and body. Then cut each breast half away from the bone.

Serve the rotisserie chicken hot, warm, or even cold. It tastes delicious on its own, sliced in sandwiches, added to salads, stir fries, and more! Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Tips for the Best Rotisserie Chicken

Follow these simple tips and tricks for roast chicken worthy of any restaurant:

Truss tightly. Tying the legs and wings neatly helps the chicken cook evenly.
Use a rack. Elevating the chicken allows air circulation for crispy skin.
Pick a good bird. Choose a chicken between 3-5 lbs with smooth, taut skin.
Season generously. Flavor both the cavity and outside with salt, pepper, herbs or spices.
Baste frequently. Spoon pan juices over the chicken often for maximum moisture.
Rest before carving. Letting it sit after cooking helps lock in juices.
Use leftovers. Shred for sandwiches, salads, soups, casseroles and more!

Common Rotisserie Chicken Mistakes

Avoid these pitfalls when cooking rotisserie-style chicken at home:

Overcooking – Use a meat thermometer for perfectly done meat without drying out.
Uneven cooking – Trussing and frequent rotation helps the chicken cook evenly.
Skipping the rack – Elevate the chicken so the underside doesn’t stew in juices.
Rubbing oil on skin too late – Coat immediately after rinsing and patting dry for optimal crisping.
Forgetting to baste – Regular basting keeps the meat moisturized during roasting.
Cutting too soon – Letting the chicken rest allows juices to redistribute before carving.
Using the wrong pan – Roasting pans with racks work best to promote air circulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between rotisserie and roast chicken?

Rotisserie chicken is cooked on a rotisserie spit that continually rotates over the heat source. Roast chicken is cooked stationary in the oven. Both yield similar results.

How long does it take to cook a 3 pound rotisserie chicken?

A 3 pound chicken takes about 75-90 minutes in a 325°F oven or 60-75 minutes on a grill rotisserie. Always check internal temperature rather than relying on time.

Can you use an oven instead of a rotisserie?

Absolutely! Simply place the chicken breast-side up in a roasting pan with a rack and roast at 425°F for 15 minutes then 350°F until cooked through. Rotate the pan periodically for even cooking.

What temperature should rotisserie chicken be cooked to?

The safe minimum internal temperature for chicken is 165°F. The thigh area should register this temp when tested with an instant-read thermometer.

Can I make rotisserie chicken in a slow cooker?

It’s not recommended. The chicken can’t get a nice brown color and crispy skin in a slow cooker. Oven or grilling methods work best.

Cooking up your own rotisserie chicken is one of the most rewarding and cost-effective meals you can make at home. In just an hour or so, you can have a beautiful golden bird ready to become the star of tonight’s dinner or tomorrow’s lunch. Once you get the method down, you may never go store-bought again!

how do you cook a rotisserie chicken

Homemade Rotisserie Chicken Leftovers

If you made oven-baked rotisserie chicken and have leftovers, you’re in luck! They freeze and reheat well, and they can be used to start another tasty dish.

To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:

in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
in the freezer up to a month

Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!

Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole—This creamy casserole is easy to make and makes a great dinner for the whole family.
If you want to make a Garlic Bread Chicken Caesar Salad, spread a split loaf of French bread with garlic salt, Italian seasonings, and broken or softened butter. Put it in the oven at 350°F for 8 minutes while you cut up romaine lettuce, add Caesar dressing, old rotisserie chicken shreds, and cheese. To serve, slice the bread and put the filling on top of it.
Take a loaf of French bread and split it in half. Spread butter and garlic salt on both sides of each half. Once it’s done, take it out of the oven and cover both sides with 1 cup of BBQ sauce. Spread half a cup of shredded cheese over the top, then add the rest of the shredded chicken. Sprinkle with more cheese and sliced red onions. Bake until cheese is melted and hot. Top with chopped cilantro and serve.
Cut up three green onions and put them in a large bowl with three cups of leftover chicken, one cup of shredded cheese, and one cup of celery. This is the Million Dollar Chicken Salad. Place half a cup of bacon, almonds, mayonnaise, and sour cream in the bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix it well, then serve it in lettuce cups, with crackers, or on bread.

What to Serve with Oven Baked Rotisserie Chicken

Since this dish has the classic flavors of rotisserie chicken, it will pair well with many of your favorite traditional side dishes. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.

You can choose one or add a few sides to make a wholesome, well rounded dinner.

This recipe for baked rotisserie chicken is just as easy as it sounds. It only takes 10 minutes to make and is great for the whole family.

In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use when making this recipe to get the absolute best and most delicious results.

Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.

how do you cook a rotisserie chicken

Chicken: For this recipe, I use a chicken that weighs about 4 pounds. You can pick any size chicken you want, but keep in mind that it will take longer or shorter to bake. Small ones might be done in less than three hours, but big ones can take four hours or more if you cook them on low heat.
Onions: You’ll need one to two onions, enough to stack over the chicken in the pan to hold it up. Use large varieties like white or yellow onions.
Oil—When I bake rotisserie chicken in the oven, I use olive oil, but you can use any oil that doesn’t have a strong flavor. Grapeseed, canola, or vegetable are just a few good alternatives.
When cooking a chicken in a regular oven, the seasoning blend is what makes it taste like it was cooked on a rotisserie. To make a seasoning that tastes like traditional rotisserie chicken, I mixed salt, paprika, black pepper, dried thyme, and onion and garlic powder.

Simple Steps to the Perfect Rotisserie Chicken | Weber Grills

FAQ

How is a rotisserie chicken cooked?

Rotisserie chicken is cooked by turning it on a spit over or near a heat source. This makes the cooking even and the skin crispy because the chicken’s own juices keep basting it.

How long to put rotisserie chicken in the oven?

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Place chickens in a roasting pan. Bake uncovered until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meat near the bone reads at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 5 hours. Let chickens rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Is it better to roast chicken at 350 or 400?

You can roast chicken at either 350°F or 400°F, but the best temperature depends on what you want to happen. 350°F is better for ensuring even cooking and retaining moisture, especially for larger pieces like whole chickens. Recipes suggest that a lower temperature results in a more tender and juicy chicken.

How do you cook chicken on a rotisserie?

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate. Season chicken cavity with a pinch of salt. Tie legs together with kitchen string; then tie wings to the bird. Secure chicken on a rotisserie attachment. Place rotisserie over the preheated grill and cook for 10 minutes.

Can you make rotisserie chicken at home?

As a main dish, rotisserie chicken goes well with French fries, coleslaw, or any number of other sides. Intimidated by the idea of making a rotisserie chicken at home? We’re here to help. Get your grill and rotisserie attachment ready — you’ll want to try this recipe ASAP. Here’s what you’ll need to make rotisserie chicken at home:

How do you rotisserie chicken on a gas grill?

Preheat the Grill: Light your grill and let it reach a steady temperature of 350°F to 400°F. This range works well for rotisserie chicken. Install the Rotisserie Kit: Secure the rotisserie kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions, making sure it aligns with your grill’s motor.

How do you eat rotisserie chicken?

Casserole: Layer shredded chicken with cream soup, vegetables, and pasta in a baking dish. Top with cheese and bake until bubbly for a hearty family dinner. Rotisserie chicken on the grill is a game-changer for your meals. You get that juicy tenderness and crispy skin without the hassle of takeout.

How do you make Rotisserie Chicken Smoky?

Chicken: Choose a whole chicken about 3.5 to 4 pounds with the skin intact. If cooking in an air fryer, be sure the whole chicken will fit. Oil: A little oil helps the seasonings cling to the skin, making it extra crispy. Any oil or cooking spray works. Melted bacon grease will give rotisserie chicken a smoky flavor.

How do you spit chicken on a rotisserie grill?

Preheat your grill. If you have a rotisserie burner, turn it on. If not, set your grill for indirect heat (burners on at the sides, off in the middle). Slide one fork onto the spit rod, then carefully slide the rod through the chicken (from rear to neck). Secure it with the second fork. Mount the spit on your grill.

How to Cook a Perfect Rotisserie Chicken at Home