If you frequently purchase Costco’s rotisserie chicken, you already know how tasty they are. In addition to being so delicious, these Costco rotisserie chicken boxes are incredibly inexpensive. You may purchase one to enjoy at home for only $5.
On occasion, you won’t be able to consume the entire rotisserie chicken, and you don’t want all that deliciousness to go to waste. What do you do? At this point, you begin to wonder whether you can freeze a Costco rotisserie chicken.
So, can Costco’s Rotisserie Chicken be frozen? Yes you can! Instead of attempting to put the entire chicken with bones into the freezer, shred the chicken and vacuum-pack it. Before the plastic bag is sealed, vacuum packaging removes the air from within.
You may easily remove the shredded rotisserie chicken and use it to prepare other recipes at a later period.
Freezing Rotisserie Chicken from Costco
A whole Costco rotisserie chicken is quite a lot, especially if you’re eating by yourself. When you have a surplus of leftovers, freezing is the next-best alternative. However, like many other items, there is a suggested time limit for keeping frozen rotisserie chicken. Overfreezing the chicken will diminish its flavor and quality.
The quality of rotisserie chicken may be preserved for up to four months in the freezer. The chicken will still be edible after the expiration date, but it won’t taste as delicious. Ensure that your freezer is always set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit if you intend to preserve the chicken for more than four months.
How to Freeze Costco Chicken Rotisserie
By properly freezing your Costco rotisserie chicken, the unique spices and tastes will be preserved. Here are some simple measures to take:
1. Let the rotisserie chicken cool and shred it.
The rotisserie chicken should not be placed in the freezer while it is still hot. The texture and flavor of chicken that has been frozen above room temperature will be severely compromised.
Allow the Costco rotisserie chicken to cool for a while before removing the meat from the bones. Shredded rotisserie chicken freezes better than entire chicken with bones. Soups, stir fry, pizza, and quesadillas all benefit from the addition of shredded rotisserie chicken.
2. Vacuum-pack the Chicken Shreds
Depending on how many complete rotisseries you wish to store, you can separate the shredded chicken into various plastic bags. After placing the chicken in the bags, you may use a machine to vacuum and seal them.
You can use a manual pump if you don’t have an automatic vacuum and sealing equipment at home.
The purpose of vacuum sealing is to enhance the chicken’s shelf life. Vacuum packaging removes all of the air from the plastic bag, therefore reducing bacterial activity. The technique also minimizes freezer burn by reducing the chicken’s exposure to chilly freezer air.
3. Place the Packed Chicken Shreds in a safe freezer compartment
In order to preserve the quality of the shredded rotisserie, it must be placed in a secure freezer compartment. Because the chicken has been shredded into tiny pieces, it cannot be placed in a compartment with heavier objects.
The rotisserie shreds should be stored in a clear area where you don’t often keep many objects.
How to Reheat Costco Rotisserie Chicken from the Freezer
When you are ready to consume the frozen rotisserie chicken, you must reheat it properly. Reheating rotisserie chicken properly restores the bird’s original flavor and texture. Make careful to heat the food in an oven.
First, you must preheat the oven to 3500F. Remove the chicken from the plastic bags and place it in the baking dish. Before placing the chicken in the oven, add some chicken stock to preserve its texture.
After approximately half an hour in the oven, remove it. The room should now be filled with the aroma of delicious Costco rotisserie chicken.
The following are some of the most frequently asked questions concerning frozen Costco rotisserie chicken:
How Long Can You Keep Frozen Rotisserie Chicken?
The flavor and texture of Costco rotisserie chicken may be securely stored for up to four months in the freezer. However, it is imperative that you vacuum-seal the chicken in a plastic bag before placing it in the freezer.
If the freezer is constantly maintained at 0°F, you can still consume frozen rotisserie chicken after four months, although the flavor and texture will have diminished.
Can a Costco Rotisserie Chicken on the Bone be Frozen?
Before placing the chicken in a plastic bag, I prefer to remove the meat from the bones and shred it. Shredding chicken off the bone improves its ability to freeze.
How Long Does Rotisserie Chicken Last Outside the Refrigerator?
The shelf life of cooked rotisserie chicken maintained at room temperature is approximately 2 hours. However, if chicken is kept at room temperature for more than two hours, germs begin to grow and the chicken becomes unfit for consumption.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), cooked chicken held between 40°F and 140°F for two hours should be discarded because germs would have rapidly multiplied during that time.
How can I determine whether Costco’s rotisserie chicken is spoiled?
When rotisserie chicken is maintained in poor conditions for an extended period of time, it begins to emit a foul odor. The chicken is also slimy to the touch. If you detect any of these symptoms, you should discard the chicken.
The consumption of spoiled rotisserie chicken may make you unwell.
Consequently, be sure to follow the previously outlined measures for safely freezing Costco rotisserie chicken leftovers. If done correctly, this delectable avian delicacy may be utilized to create additional recipes in the future.