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How Long Does Rotisserie Chicken Last in the Fridge

How Long Does Rotisserie Chicken Last in the Fridge

What’s not to love about golden brown, flavorful mouth-watering, moist rotisserie chicken? 

I’m sure you can agree that rotisserie chicken is one of the most delicious things you’ve ever tasted.

It’s the easiest thing to serve for Sunday dinner, and you can store any leftovers in the fridge. However, how long is too long?

We all know that rotisserie chicken will not last forever, so how long does it last in the fridge.

Can Rotisserie Chicken Go Bad?

Yes, a rotisserie chicken can go bad. Meat and poultry primarily consist of water, which is why they are so darn nutritious.

Because they contain so much moisture, meats such as rotisserie chicken are the perfect environment for bacteria to grow.

This is why rotisserie chicken can spoil faster if it is not stored correctly.

Bacteria can either be pathogenic or spoilage bacteria. Pathogenic bacteria can cause sickness, while spoilage bacteria cause food to rot.

Typically, meat is contaminated by Listeria, E coli., and Salmonella. However, if the chicken is stored and handled correctly, these microorganisms grow slower.

Even if you store food in the refrigerator, spoilage bacteria can still cause food to rot.

Either way, these bacteria can cause food to take on unappetizing characteristics such as a foul smell or taste.

How Long Can Rotisserie Chicken Sit Out?

Rotisserie chicken cannot sit out for more than 2 hours. Temperatures ranging between 40°F-140°F are known as the danger zone.

The danger zone is where bacteria thrive. Initially, spoilage bacteria are not an issue.

However, the longer the food sits in the danger zone, the more bacteria will infect the food.

After two hours, there will be so much bacteria on the food’s surface that it is unsafe to consume.

If it is a hot summer day and the temperature is at or above 90°F, the chicken will become unsafe to eat after 1 hour.

Nevertheless, if your chicken is exposed to adverse conditions like hot temperatures or environments, it can cause food safety issues.

Homemade whole baked chicken rotisserie

How To Store Rotisserie Chicken

How the rotisserie chicken is stored determines how long it will last.

Whether you bake the rotisserie chicken yourself or buy it at the store, it is essential to chill all leftovers within 2 hours.

The key to storing rotisserie chicken is to keep it covered at all times.

This will prevent the food from spoiling so quickly and prevents the chicken from absorbing other food odors in your fridge.

Place the rotisserie chicken into an airtight container. You can also wrap the rotisserie chicken tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

Place the rotisserie chicken in the lower part of the fridge at the back of the refrigerator. Do not place the chicken near the door.

Each time you open your refrigerator, the temperature drops. If you store the chicken near the door, it will spoil faster because of the fluctuating temperatures.

How Long Does Rotisserie Chicken Last in the Fridge

No matter how delicious it is or how well you store it, rotisserie chicken will spoil eventually. 

Rotisserie chicken will last 3-4 days as long as it is stored properly. 

If you are not going to reheat your rotisserie chicken within that time frame, it is best to freeze it.

How Long Does Rotisserie Chicken Last in the Freezer?

To freeze your rotisserie chicken, place it into a freezer safe-airtight container or ziplock bag.

Alternatively, you can use a vacuum sealer for packaging the chicken as this is the best way to preserve the chicken.

Frozen rotisserie chicken will remain safe indefinitely. However, it is best to consume the chicken within 4 months. After 4 months, the chicken’s texture and flavor will change.

White flakes or ice on the rotisserie chicken are a tell-tale sign of freezer burn.

Freezer burn will not cause sickness, but the food is usually dried out and flavorless. 

While you can throw out the entire rotisserie chicken, you can cut the freezer-burned spots and toss them in the trash.

Once you are ready to eat your rotisserie chicken, remove it from the freezer and place it onto a wire rack set on top of a cookie sheet.

The cookie sheet will catch any condensation the chicken releases from creating a mess in your fridge and prevent the chicken from becoming soggy.

How to Reheat Rotisserie Chicken

You can reheat your rotisserie chicken in the oven. Heat the oven to 350°F. Place the rotisserie chicken into a baking dish and brush the skin with melted butter.

Add 1/2 cup of chicken broth to the chicken to prevent it from drying out.

You can also reheat rotisserie chicken in the microwave. However, you will have to cut the chicken into smaller portions if the entire bird does not fit into the microwave.

Place the rotisserie chicken onto a microwave-safe plate.

Heat the chicken in 2–3-minute bursts until it is thoroughly heated. Watch your chicken carefully, or the microwave will dry it out.

How To Tell if Rotisserie Chicken Is Bad

Determining if your rotisserie chicken is spoiled is relatively easy. Chicken develops a greyish green color as it spoils. 

You may also notice signs of mold. Either way, you must discard the chicken if there are signs of discoloration or mold as it is spoiled.

In addition to this, the chicken will also release a pungent odor reminiscent of ammonia. If the chicken has an off smell, discard it immediately.

The chicken will also have a slimy texture that’s created by bacteria. This means that bacteria have infected the chicken, and it is no longer safe to eat.

Final Thoughts

Chicken is the most popular meat on the planet. It’s no wonder that rotisserie chicken is so famous.

Not only is rotisserie chicken a beautiful sight to behold, but it is delicious and can feed a large crowd.

Now that you know how long rotisserie chicken lasts in the fridge, you can buy as much you need for your next get-together.

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