I Quizzed 5 Chefs on the Perfect RotisserieChicken—Here’s Their Universal Tip
The birds from this store also aced our team’s taste tests, and "there was no competition."
It was characteristic of Julia Child and remains a cornerstone for Ina Garten , Chef John , along with many home chefs: roasted chicken. This classicSunday evening meal is both soothing and usually requires under 20 minutes of preparation time. Nonetheless, it tends to be the lengthy cooking duration that keeps people from frequently preparing their own chickens at home. For us, waiting over an hour for the chicken to finish doesn’t always fit into our schedule—or preferences.
Here is where a purchased rotisserie chicken can step in to help. Just as versatile Just like a home-cooked bird – and frequently nearly as budget-friendly as buying frozen chicken for roasting at home – rotisserie chickens are among GudangMovies21 editors' favorite choices for weekday dinners. They're quick, simple, and very fulfilling. and With no dishes left to wash afterward? Count me in.
It's evident that we're not alone: Americans buy approximately 950 million rotisserie chickens annually, as estimated by the source. National Chicken Council We're putting money into a lot Of rotisserie chickens, though, where do we get them? Could we be missing out on the finest examples by disregarding specific spots known for their superior quality?
We tapped poultry-loving chefs from coast to coast to dish about what they look for in the best rotisserie chickens, how they use them, and where they buy their birds. Turns out, they all only give a cluck about one brand—it’s the same one that came out on top of our team’s tests of grocery store rotisserie chickens .
Our Panel of Expert Rotisserie Chicken Judges
- Anthony Castro , executive chef at Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa in Palmetto, Florida
- Sonny Pache , executive chef at The Guild House in Columbus, Ohio
- Michelle Rounsaville , who owns and operates My Michelle’s in Oxford, Mississippi
- Jacob Schroeder , who owns and operates Crafted Food Services and Moxie Kitchen + Events in Des Moines, Iowa
- Peter Som , an award-winning fashion designer based in New York City, who also excels as a culinary artist and lifestyle guru, and is set to release a new cookbook titled "Family Style."
Characteristics of the Finest Rotisserie Chicken
Almost all grocery chains, several restaurants, and most warehouse outlets offer rotisserie chickens. In quest of finding the top choices, our chefs seek out birds that meet the following criteria:
- Cooked evenly. Some grocery stores use rotisseries where certain areas become overheated, causing the chicken to turn quite dark and dry," notes Jacob Schroeder, who owns Crafted Food Services and Moxie Kitchen + Events in Des Moines, Iowa. Top-notch rotisserie chickens should boast a uniformly golden-brown skin that extends smoothly from the breast down to the wings. Should you notice your chicken appears overly charred, shriveled up, or shows indications of being cooked beyond its prime, Chef Sonny Pache of The Guild House in Columbus, Ohio advises avoiding such selections.
- Is rich and succulent in texture. Much as you can't fully assess a book by its cover, you also shouldn't evaluate a chicken solely based on its outer appearance. Michelle Rounsaville, owner-chef of My Michelle’s located in Oxford, Mississippi, alongside Anthony Castro, who leads the kitchen at Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa in Palmetto, Florida, concur that it's primarily about what lies within that matters, particularly because numerous chefs tend to take off the skin before cooking. shred the meat for rotisserie chicken recipes like enchiladas , chili , sandwiches , and pot pie .
- Fresh. Before purchasing, Schroeder checks the "ready-to-eat" timestamp on each chicken to gauge how recently it was removed from the oven and packaged for sale. He notes, "The longer these chickens remain in a heated environment, the drier they become." Ideally, he looks for birds that have been prepared within the past period. two hours , that’s ideal.
- The quality is consistent. This is something you'll discover with experience; however, if the chefs have one bad encounter with a poorly cooked, dry, tough, or unimpressive poultry dish, they will make sure to remember this when forming their evaluations. "The dish must consistently provide a harmonious taste combination, moist and succulent flesh, along with crisp skin," Castro concludes.
Top-Rated Rotisserie Chicken as Chosen by Culinary Experts
Without hesitation, every chef on our panel echoed the same answer when asked to name the best store-bought rotisserie chicken: Costco.
Yes, the $5 Kirkland Signature that Costco fans are obsessed also receives glowing endorsements from celebrity chefs.
"Costco stands out and has become a beloved choice for a reason," remarks Peter Som, a renowned fashion designer from New York City, who is also known as a culinary innovator, lifestyle guru, and the forthcoming cookbook "Family Style" author. ."
Praised for "its excellent value for the money, consistent quality, moist meat, and tasty skin" by Castro, and described by Schroeder as "consistently fresh and succulent," Costco's rotisserie chicken is noted by Michelle Rounsaville, owner-chef at My Michelle’s in Oxford, Mississippi, to remain juicy for several days if not consumed right away. Rounsaville goes out of her way, driving one hour each time, to visit her closest Costco store specifically to purchase these rotisserie chickens (along with Kirkland wines, cheeses, laundry supplies, and seasonal treats).
“Our local Costco must have pretty well-trained staff because their chickens are never overcooked or dry,” Schroeder adds.
Top Tips from Chefs for Maximizing Your RotisserieChicken Experience
The 3-pound birds provide "the best value of any rotisserie chicken I've tried," according to Pache. "It consistently impresses me regardless of how I choose to prepare it."
Given this scenario, we requested insights from the chefs about their preferred methods for utilizing rotisserie chicken (or leftover chicken, should you find yourself with some available), opting to roast your own, or lacking a Costco membership:
- Greek salad with shredded chicken
- Creamy chicken salad
- Game day wings
- Chicken tortilla soup
- Chicken-topped pizza
- Chicken tacos
- As the primary course accompanied by roasted vegetables
- Homemade chicken broth (use the bones and any leftover juices in the bag)
- Buffalo chicken dip
Read the original article on All Recipes .
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