What is the Best Way to Reheat a Costco Rotisserie Chicken?

A Costco rotisserie chicken can be a lifesaver for busy families. For just $4.99, you get an entire cooked chicken that can easily feed 4-6 people. But once you get it home, the challenge becomes how to keep it moist and delicious when you reheat it for another meal.

There are several great options for reheating a Costco chicken without drying it out. Here we’ll explore the pros and cons of reheating in the oven microwave, slow cooker, and skillet to help you determine the best method based on your goals and timeframe.

Reheating in the Oven

The oven is one of the best ways to reheat a full rotisserie chicken if you want crispy skin and juicy meat The dry ambient heat of the oven gently warms the chicken while also crisping up the skin.

Pros:

• Restores crispy skin
• Keeps meat moist
• Allows even warming throughout

Cons:

• Takes longer (30-45 mins)
• Requires preheating oven

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Place chicken in shallow baking dish. Pour 1 cup broth, water, or wine into bottom of dish to help keep meat moist.
3. Cover tightly with foil and bake 30-45 minutes until heated through.
4. Remove foil last 5-10 mins if you want crisper skin.

The oven warming method makes it easy to reheat large amounts of chicken or the whole chicken. Just make sure you plan for the time it takes to heat up and bake.

Reheating in the Microwave

It’s very easy and quick to reheat shredded or sliced rotisserie chicken in the microwave. Be careful not to cook the meat too much, because microwaves dry out chicken very quickly.

Pros:

• Very quick (2-5 mins)
• Only heats portion needed

Cons:

• Can dry out chicken
• Doesn’t re-crisp skin
• Uneven heating

Instructions:

1. Shred or slice chicken meat from bones and place on microwave-safe dish.
2. Cover with damp paper towel to prevent splatter.
3. Microwave in 30 second intervals until heated through, stirring between sessions.
4. Take care not to overcook, as it can dry out.

The microwave is a great way to quickly heat up a single serving of chicken for salads, sandwiches, casseroles, and other dishes. Just be vigilant about not overdoing it.

Reheating in the Slow Cooker

For shredable chicken, the slow cooker can be great for reheating and keeping the meat incredibly tender.

Pros:

• Keeps chicken very moist
• Minimal hands-on time
• Can season and add sauce

Cons:

• Longer timed method (2-4 hrs)
• Requires planning ahead
• Doesn’t re-crisp skin

Instructions:

1. Grease interior of slow cooker with cooking spray.
2. Place shredded chicken meat in slow cooker.
3. Add 1 cup broth or sauce and desired seasonings.
4. Cook on HIGH 2-4 hours until heated through.
5. Stir occasionally and add more liquid if needed.

Slow cookers are great for keeping leftover chicken very tender because they use slow, moist heat. Allow the long cook time by planning ahead.

Reheating in a Skillet

For warming shredded chicken or smaller pieces, the stovetop skillet can help you get a quick weeknight dinner on the table.

Pros:

• Fast weeknight method
• Can re-crisp exterior
• Allows seasoning/saucing

Cons:

• Requires more hands-on time
• Smaller portions only
• Easy to overcook/dry out

Instructions:

1. Heat skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 Tbsp oil.
2. Add shredded chicken meat and stir frequently as it warms, about 5 minutes.
3. Add desired sauces or seasonings and toss to coat chicken.
4. Remove from heat once heated through.

The skillet on the stovetop gives you an active reheating method for smaller amounts of chicken. Keep the heat medium-high and stir frequently to prevent overcooking.

Key Tips for Reheating Rotisserie Chicken

• For food safety, only reheat rotisserie chicken within 3-4 days of purchasing.
• Portion chicken into shallow airtight containers for easier reheating.
• Remove chicken from bones before reheating for more even warming.
• Add broth, sauce, or water to help keep reheated chicken moist.
• Warm slower at lower temperatures if you have time to prevent drying out.
• Use faster methods like the microwave if you’re in a pinch.
• Watch chicken closely and don’t overheat, which causes dryness.

Reheating a Costco rotisserie chicken can be done through various methods using the oven, microwave, slow cooker or skillet. The oven provides the best full chicken reheating results, while the microwave and skillet work nicely for smaller portions. For super moist meat, the slow cooker is ideal. Just be sure to avoid overcooking the chicken, and add liquid as needed to keep it tender and juicy. With the right technique, you can easily revive that leftover rotisserie chicken for another flavorful meal.