Can You Freeze Rotisserie Chicken? What You Need To Know For The Best Way To Freeze

Wondering if you can freeze rotisserie chicken? It’s a common question, especially when you have a whole rotisserie chicken you can’t finish in one go. Freezing might be a solution you’re considering to extend its life. Rest assured, whether you have it whole or shredded, storing cooked chicken in the fridge won’t make it last as long as it’s properly frozen.

Can You Freeze Rotisserie Chicken?

You sure can! You can place the chicken in the freezer to make it last longer. You can freeze the chicken as a whole or divide the chicken into small portions. You can even shred the chicken if you like. Shredded rotisserie chicken also freezes well, and it’s easier to thaw just the amount you need later.

So, whether cooked or raw, you can freeze chicken to enjoy it another time.

Steps To Freeze Rotisserie Chicken

Cleaning and preparing the chicken

First, if you’re asking, “Can you freeze rotisserie chicken?” you should know that preparing the chicken is one of the most important steps. If you bought the chicken from Costco, it’s usually ready. But you’ll still need to allow the chicken to cool. Place the rotisserie chicken in the refrigerator to bring it to an appropriate temperature for freezing.

You have two options for freezing: freeze a whole chicken or chop the chicken into smaller pieces. If you decide to keep the entire rotisserie chicken as one piece, just make sure that the chicken is cooled down first. On the other hand, chop the chicken into smaller portions if you want to divide it. You can even shred the chicken meat if you like.

Packaging tips for the freezer

Packaging is key to making sure to freeze the chicken properly.

• For whole chickens, wrap them tightly in plastic and aluminum foil.
• If you’ve chopped or shredded the chicken, place it in a zip-top bag, pressing out as much air as possible.

• Make sure to label your packaging with the date.

Your cooked chicken can then be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Following these steps, you can freeze rotisserie chicken, whole or in pieces. This is a good way to keep chicken meat fresh for later use or make chicken stock in the future. Freezing cooked chicken differs from freezing raw chicken, but both can be done successfully.

Best Way To Freeze

Using foil and plastic wrap

If you’ve got leftover rotisserie chicken, one of the best ways to store it for later is to use foil and plastic wrap. This method works well for both store-bought rotisserie chicken and homemade rotisserie chicken.

1. Wrap chicken pieces: Wrap individual chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap.
2. Add foil: Cover the plastic-wrapped chicken with a layer of aluminum foil.
3. Label and date: Always put a label with the date on it so you know how much chicken is inside and when it was frozen.
4. Place the chicken in the freezer: Finally, place the wrapped chicken pieces in the freezer.

Using foil and plastic wrap helps make sure your cooked rotisserie chicken stays fresh for a good amount of time.

Vacuum sealing for longer storage

If you have a vacuum sealer, this is one of the best ways to freeze your rotisserie chicken for longer.

1. Prepare the chicken: Cut or shred the chicken into the portions you’ll use later.
2. Vacuum seal: Place chicken pieces into vacuum-sealed bags.
3. Seal and label: Use the vacuum sealer to remove air and seal the bag. Don’t forget to label it with the date.
4. Place in the freezer: Put the vacuum-sealed bags of rotisserie chicken in the freezer.

Vacuum sealing can be very effective to ensure the chicken stays fresh for a long time without freezer burn, which can cause the chicken to lose its taste and texture.

You can freeze rotisserie chicken for later use by choosing either of these methods. Both methods ensure that rotisserie chicken can be frozen in a way that makes it taste great when you’re ready to use it again.

How Long Will The Chicken Last?

Shelf life in the freezer

So, can you freeze rotisserie chicken? Yes, and once you’ve decided to freeze a rotisserie chicken, the next question is how long it will last. Here’s the scoop:

1. Meat From the Bones: If you’ve taken the meat from the bones before freezing, it usually lasts up to 3 months.
2. Whole Chicken: If you freeze a whole rotisserie chicken, it can last up to 6 months in the freezer.
3. Prepared for Freezing: Remember, how you prepare the chicken for freezing affects how long it will last. So, separating the meat from the bones before freezing the chicken is best if you plan to use it within 3 months.
4. Costco Rotisserie Chicken or Other: The rules are pretty much the same whether it’s from Costco or another store.

Signs that it’s time to use or discard It

Knowing when to use or throw out frozen chicken is important. Here are some signs:

1. Color Changes: If the meat turns gray, it’s time to use it or lose it.
2. Smell: If it starts to smell off, that’s a sign to discard it.
3. Freezer Burn: Look for dry spots or ice crystals. A little is okay, and you can cut it off, but too much means it’s time to throw it away.
4. Texture: When thawed, if the texture feels excessively soft or unpleasant, it’s advisable to discard it.

Following these tips, you can use your frozen rotisserie chicken while it’s still good.

Defrosting Tips

Best ways to defrost your frozen rotisserie chicken

After freezing, you’ll eventually want to defrost your rotisserie chicken to use it. Here are some ways to do that:

1. Refrigerator Method: The best way to defrost rotisserie chicken is in the refrigerator. This can take several hours, so plan ahead.
2. Microwave Method: If you’re in a hurry, you can use the defrost function on your microwave. This is good for shredded chicken that you plan to use immediately.
3. Cold Water Method: You can also place the chicken in a sealed plastic bag and submerge it in cold water. Make sure to change the water every 30 minutes.
4. Cooking Directly: In some recipes, you can cook the frozen chicken directly, especially in soups or chicken broth.

What not to do when defrosting

Avoiding mistakes is crucial when you defrost rotisserie chicken. Here’s what not to do:

1. Counter Thawing: Never leave chicken on the counter to thaw.
2. Hot Water: Don’t use hot water to speed up the thawing process, as it can compromise the quality of the chicken for consumption.
3. Re-Freezing: Once you’ve defrosted your leftover chicken, don’t freeze it again unless you’ve cooked it into a new dish like chicken broth or a casserole.
4. Ignoring Smell or Texture: If the chicken smells off or has a strange texture after thawing, it’s better to throw it away.

By following these dos and don’ts, you can use leftover rotisserie chicken that you’ve frozen and enjoy it in various dishes.

Above is our knowledge about how to freeze rotisserie chicken. You can see that freezing is an essential part of cooking process for any dishes. In other blog, we also give you informative tips, such as freezing chicken salad which can be useful for you.

FAQs

References:

• USDA – How long can you freeze chicken? – https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-freeze-chicken