- You can reheat rotisserie chicken in the microwave, stovetop, oven, air fryer, or Instant Pot.
- The microwave is the quickest method, but the oven will get you the crispiest skin.
- Rotisserie chicken is a versatile ingredient that can be used for fillings, salads, or soups.
When it comes to convenient grocery store items, it's tough to beat the multitasking potential of a rotisserie chicken. This pre-cooked poultry makes a fantastic main course on its own, but its meat can also be incorporated into any number of dishes.
If you find yourself with a rotisserie chicken that's not at its optimal piping-hot temperature, you may be wondering how to reheat it without drying it out.
Recipe developer and
Quick tip: To keep rotisserie chicken from drying out in the fridge, Sanford says to let it fully cool, cover it in plastic wrap, and then put it in a leakproof, airtight container. It'll stay fresh in the refrigerator for three to four days.
Method 1: In the oven
Sanford recommends you preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and add a cup of chicken broth to an oven-safe dish. Add the whole rotisserie chicken to the dish and cover with a tinfoil tent to enable even and thorough steaming.
Then, put the dish in the oven and cook for 25 minutes with the tinfoil on. Remove the tinfoil and bake for an additional 5 minutes. The chicken can be sliced and served right away.
Method 2: In the microwave
The microwave is the quickest reheating method but it still requires a bit of prep work.
It's important to remove the meat from the bones before you heat it. Chicken bones heat much more quickly than the meat does, so if you microwave the rotisserie chicken with the bones still in place, you'll end up with inconsistent temperatures.
After you strip the meat from the bones, Sanford recommends cutting the meat into strips and transferring it to a microwave-safe plate or bowl. Next, cover the bowl or plate with a damp kitchen cloth and microwave for 2 to 3 minutes until the meat is heated all the way through and ready to use.
Method 3: On the stovetop
If you have a bit of spare time and want to get the juiciest reheated chicken possible, go with the stovetop method.
According to Sanford, you should remove the chicken from the bones, cut it into strips, then heat enough butter or oil in a frying pan over medium-high to coat the bottom of the pan.
Add a cup of chicken broth and a pinch of salt, then lower the heat to a simmer. Drop in the chicken strips and simmer in the chicken stock, adding more stock if the liquid starts to evaporate, for 12 minutes. Drain or remove the chicken from the stock and use it in any of your favorite dishes.
Method 4: In the air fryer
Like the oven, the air fryer provides crispy skin on your reheated rotisserie chicken, and it does so much more quickly. "Place the whole chicken in the air fryer, set it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook for 4 minutes," says Sanford.
If you're working with pieces of rotisserie chicken instead of the whole bird, you can reheat in the air fryer by arranging the pieces in the basket without overcrowding it, then
Best air fryers
We test and recommend the best air fryers. Check out our picks:
- Best air fryer overall: Philips Premium Digital Airfryer, $249.95 on Amazon
- Best cheap air fryer: Dash Compact Air Fryer, $49.99 on Target
- Best multitasking air fryer: Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer, $149.99 on Target
- Best large capacity air fryer: Ninja Foodi Two-Basket Air Fryer, $159.95 on Amazon
Method 5: In an Instant Pot
The Instant Pot's pressure cooker setting enables you to quickly and evenly reheat your rotisserie chicken. Sanford adds a cup of chicken broth to the Instant Pot, followed by the whole rotisserie chicken.
She sets it to pressure cook and lets it cook for 5 minutes before using the instant release to open the lid. After 5 minutes, it should be warm and ready to use straight away.
Best Instant Pots and electric pressure cookers
We test and recommend the best Instant Pots and electric pressure cookers. Check out our picks:
- Best electric pressure cooker overall: Crock-Pot Express Crock XL Multicooker, $118.65 on Amazon
- Best electric pressure cooker on a budget: Instant Pot Duo Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, $89 on Amazon
- Best smart electric pressure cooker: Chef iQ Smart Cooker, $125 on Amazon
- Best multitasking electric pressure cooker: Instant Pot Duo Crisp Pressure Cooker, $199.99 on Walmart
How to repurpose rotisserie chicken
Rotisserie chicken can be incorporated into countless dishes, making it one of the most versatile items you can add to your grocery list. Some of the possibilities include:
- Using it as a filling. Whether you're making enchiladas, quesadillas, pot pie, samosas, or any other filled dish, rotisserie chicken's juiciness and gentle flavor make it the perfect addition.
- Put it in a salad. For a nutritious lunch or dinner, add shredded rotisserie chicken to a bed of greens and your favorite vegetables, then toss the whole thing in a fresh vinaigrette.
- Topping your favorite snack. Shredded rotisserie chicken can add healthy, lean protein to classics like pizza, nachos, and loaded fries.
- Stirring into a soup. Got a craving for chicken noodle soup, but don't feel like boiling raw chicken? Remove the skin from rotisserie chicken meat, cut it into chunks, and stir it right in.
- Making chicken stock. Instead of buying premade chicken stock at the supermarket, you can make your own by boiling and simmering the leftover bones of a rotisserie chicken with onions, carrots, celery, and herbs. Cover the chicken and vegetables with water and cook until the stock takes on a dark golden color, then strain out the solids and store in the fridge until you're ready to use your stock in a recipe.
Insider's takeaway
When it comes to reheating a rotisserie chicken, you have plenty of options.
For tender meat in a short timespan, the microwave will be your best bet. But, if you're determined to get some crispy chicken skin, the oven or the air fryer will deliver that golden goodness.
Once reheated, leftover rotisserie chicken can become a key ingredient in many different meals, from salads to soups to enchiladas.