How To Reheat Rotisserie Chicken – I Test 6 Methods

Reheating chicken can be tricky; you want to maintain its juiciness and flavor without drying it out. And with rotisserie chicken, you also have the crispy skin to worry about.

I tested 6 different methods to reheat a rotisserie chicken to see which one’s best.

The best way to reheat a whole rotisserie chicken is in the oven at 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken in a baking tray along with a cup of water or stock and cover it with foil to keep it moist. You can also shred the chicken and reheat it on the stove with a few tablespoons of stock.

How I Tested Reheating Rotisserie Chicken

I got a few rotisserie chickens from the store and left them in the fridge overnight. The next day, I tested reheating them in the following ways:

• In the oven: Best for whole chickens.
• On the stove: Juicy and flavorful chicken.
• In an air fryer: Good for crispy skin.
• In the microwave: Quick and easy.
• In a steamer: Super moist chicken.

I also talk about using the chicken in another dish and one method you should avoid.

Reheating Rotisserie Chicken In The Oven

Time: 25-30 minutes
Rating: 9/10

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cover the bottom of a roasting tin with around a cup of water or stock.
3. Place the chicken directly in the tin or you can rest it on a wire rack so it’s not touching the liquid.
4. Cover the tray with foil to lock in the moisture and heat for 20-30 minutes.
5. Uncover the chicken and increase the heat to 400°F (200°C) for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the skin.

I highly recommend using stock over water to get as much flavor into the chicken as possible. You can also put some butter on the skin to help it crisp up.

If you’re feeling adventurous you could even use beer as the liquid.

The exact reheating time will vary depending on the size of the chicken – but start checking it after 20 minutes.

Results: The oven method was great for reheating my chicken. The meat was moist, the skin was crispy, and it was evenly warmed all the way through. The only downside is the time it takes.

Reheating Rotisserie Chicken On The Stove

Time: 10-15 minutes
Rating: 8/10

1. Shred or slice the chicken into smaller pieces.
2. In a pan, heat a few tablespoons of water (or broth for extra flavor) on low heat.
3. Add the chicken and cover, allowing it to steam and reheat slowly.

You can also add a little lemon juice to the water for freshness. Or go all out and use gravy or barbecue sauce as the ‘liquid’, then serve the chicken in a similar way to pulled pork.

If you want crispy skin, then you can skip the water and instead use oil and a higher heat to fry the chicken. If you use this method, I recommend chucking some garlic or chili into the pan too… yum!

Results: I loved my stove-steamed chicken. It was juicy and really flavorful, and it didn’t take too long. The only annoying thing was having to shred the chicken!

Reheating Rotisserie Chicken In The Air Fryer

Time: 4-5 minutes
Rating: 7/10

1. Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
2. Slightly warm rotisserie chicken: Put it straight in the air fryer and heat it for 4-5 minutes.
3. Cold rotisserie chicken: Break the chicken into smaller pieces such as wings, thighs, and breasts. Put these in the air fryer and heat for 6-7 minutes.

If you want extra crispy skin, mist it lightly with oil or spread a thin coating of butter on it before putting the chicken into the air fryer.

And make sure you keep an eye on the chicken – it’s very easy to overcook things in the air fryer.

Results: The air fryer is fantastic for giving your rotisserie chicken a quick refresh if it’s gone slightly cold on the way home, but I thought it made my fridge-cold chicken slightly dry. The skin was undeniably crispy though.

Reheating Rotisserie Chicken In The Microwave

Time: 1-2 minutes
Rating: 5/10

1. Shred the chicken up or cut it into slices.
2. Sprinkle the chicken with 2-3 tablespoons of water or stock.
3. Cover the chicken with a microwave-safe cover or a damp paper towel.
4. Heat for 1 minute, then in 30-second intervals until piping hot.

I would remove any skin that’s left before you put the chicken in the microwave. There is no chance of it crisping up, it will be soggy and chewy.

Results: The microwave has a bad reputation but it was the quickest method and the chicken wasn’t bad – it was still moist and tasted fine. I would definitely use it again if I wasn’t in the mood for waiting

Reheating Rotisserie Chicken In A Steamer

Time: 4-5 minutes
Rating: 8/10

1. Bring the water in your steamer to a boil.
2. Shred the chicken into smaller pieces and spread it in your steamer basket.
3. Steam for 4-5 minutes.

If you don’t have a steamer, you can make one using a regular pan (with a lid) and a sieve or colander.

Whenever I steam anything, I like to flavor the water with herbs and lemon juice. You can also use stock instead of water

Results: Steaming is a gentle way to reheat chicken and kept it incredibly moist. If you’re main concern is no dryness, then steaming is a good option.

Bonus Method: Use The Chicken In A Dish

Chicken is one of the most versatile ingredients out there, so you never have to let it go to waste even if you don’t feel like eating it as it is. Here are some great recipes to try:

• Chicken noodle soup
• Creamy chicken and mushroom pasta
• Buffalo chicken dip
• Chicken quesadillas 
• Chicken and Avocado Omelette

Method to Avoid: Slow Cooker

The slow cooker is suggested as a reheating method on some other blogs, but I would avoid this method. According to the UDSA, it’s not safe to reheat food in the slow cooker because it’s at risk of spending too long in the ‘danger zone’ and becoming unsafe to eat.

Also, because of how slow it is the chicken ends up dry and overcooked.

How to Store Leftover Rotisserie Chicken

Allow the chicken to cool to room temperature and then place it in an airtight container or bag. Keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can keep the chicken whole or remove the meat from the bones to save space.

Removing the chicken from the bones will also help it cool down faster. You don’t need to wait until the chicken is completely cool to store it in the fridge but avoid putting a piping hot chicken in there because this will raise the temperature inside the fridge too much.

Can You Freeze Rotisserie Chicken?

Yes, you can freeze rotisserie chicken, and it’s a great way to extend its shelf life. Here’s how to do it:

1. Let the chicken cool to room temperature and remove the meat from the bones.
2. Think about how you want to use the chicken in the future and portion it accordingly. This way, you can thaw exactly what you need later.
3. Wrap the chicken tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in a zip-top freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
4. Freeze the chicken for up to 4 months.
5. To use the chicken, thaw it in the fridge overnight.

Once thawed, use the chicken within 24 hours.

How To Reheat Rotisserie Chicken [Tested Methods]

In this short recipe, I show you the best way to revive and reheat your leftover rotisserie chicken.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 1 person

Calories 240 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 portion rotisserie chicken

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Cover the bottom of a roasting tin with around a cup of water or stock.
• Place the chicken directly in the tin or you can rest it on a wire rack do it's not touching the liquid.
• Uncover the chicken and increase the heat to 400°F (200°C) for the last 5 minutes to crisp the skin.

Keyword How to reheat rottiserie chicken