Whole Foods Rotisserie Chicken Review
Product Name: Whole Foods Rotisserie Chicken
Product Description: Whole Foods’ rotisserie chicken usually comes near the top of the list of consumer-favorites, mostly because it’s responsibly raised, fed a vegetarian diet. It’s also free of antibiotics, hormones, artificial colors, and preservatives.
Brand: Whole Foods
Offer price: 9.99
Currency: USD
Availability: InStock
Rotisserie chickens are some of the most inexpensive, versatile weeknight dinner items, and it’s been in our meal rotation every week or as long as I can remember. Whether you want to put a quick meal on the table or use it in several different dishes over a few days, this pre-prepped chicken is a healthy option. Packed with protein, B vitamins, minerals, and collagen, it’s ready for pickup at most of your local grocery stores. One of the best-tasting rotisserie chickens is sold by Whole Foods as antibiotic-free, hormone-free, so let’s explore this option more in our Whole Foods Rotisserie Chicken review.
History and Inspiration
While consumer demand for rotisserie chickens seems to be growing, it’s not a new trend. Stores in the 1960s often had chickens rotating on a spit throughout the day, so customers could come in and pick up a ready-made dinner. In the 1990s, national chains like Costco and Whole Foods began buying chickens to pre-cook and sell for less than fresh chicken. Whole Foods works to keep the price of rotisserie chickens down, even as raw chicken prices fluctuate. Now it’s one of the top-selling items at Whole Foods.
Types of Whole Foods Rotisserie Chicken
Rotisserie chickens used to be sold plain or with salt and pepper. As customers began asking for more variety, Whole Foods began rolling out new flavors each month, like Turkish seasonings, a Nordic-style chicken, miso-tamari, and even one with Ethiopian spices. While this is only available at select locations, the three more consistent varieties are Original, Barbeque, and herb & Lemon. At Whole Foods, you can also purchase rotisserie chickens with a plate of veggies, rice, and noodles, offering lots of meal solutions for customers on the go.
Whole Foods Rotisserie Chicken Review
Whole Foods’ rotisserie chicken usually comes near the top of the list of consumer-favorites, mostly because it’s responsibly raised, fed a vegetarian diet. It’s also free of antibiotics, hormones, artificial colors, and preservatives. But besides that, how does the flavor compare to some of the others out there?
1. Taste and Texture [5/5]
Whole Foods’ rotisserie chicken is at the top of my list of favorites in flavor, texture, and nutrition. I enjoy each of the rubs I’ve tried, but the original chicken is best for me to use in various other dishes. The skin is a bit crispy, but I don’t eat much of it. The chicken is juicy and tender, and it falls apart easily with a fork. Some chickens from other supermarkets taste like they’ve been sitting out a while, and they can taste dried out, but Whole Foods does a great job at keeping their rotisserie chickens tasting fresh. Be sure to keep it straight up and down, and don’t tip it over or the juices at the bottom of the tray make a big mess.
2. Are they healthy? [5/5]
First, Whole Foods’ rotisserie chicken is free of antibiotics, hormones, artificial colors, and preservatives. It’s full of protein, the nutrient that helps build tissues, muscles, bones, and organs. A 4-ounce serving is a perfect amount to support muscle growth, and it contains small amounts of iron, calcium, and vitamin A.
But depending on how it’s seasoned, the chicken may be incredibly high in sodium, and the skin is high in saturated fat. I’d recommend not eating the skin (but I do use it for flavoring in my bone broth).
3. Are they Worth it? [5/5]
Besides the fact that the Rotisserie chicken can be eaten as it is, it can also be used in tons of different meals. I purchase one per week and shred it for some of our favorite meals like homemade chicken noodle soup, chicken tacos, chicken salads, chicken sandwiches, and chicken enchiladas. I also cook all of the bones in a crockpot for 24 hours to make bone broth, which I use in my soups. Rotisserie chickens are versatile, tasty, and inexpensive, and I can stretch it across more meals than a package of boneless skinless chicken. It’s definitely worth it.
Final Verdict
Rotisserie chickens can also be stored in the fridge for about four days, which is plenty of time to use them in your favorite meals. My tips for choosing a chicken in Whole Foods are as follows: pick one that hasn’t been sitting under the heat table for too long; choose one without the rubs or flavors to cut down on sodium; and if Whole Foods is running their 2 for $15 sale, grab two!
Whole Foods Rotisserie Chicken Nutrition Facts
A serving size is about ¼ of a chicken, so this is the nutritional info for one serving.
- Calories – 440
- Total Fat – 11 g
- Saturated Fat – 3 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat – 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat – 0 g
- Cholesterol – 260 mg
- Sodium – 280 mg
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Dietary Fiber – 0 g
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 79 g
Whole Foods Rotisserie Chicken Pricing
Most grocery stores sell their spit-roast rotisserie chickens for less than their whole, raw chickens, so price-wise, you’ll be saving money. Plus, it’s already cooked, so you’ll save time as well. A one-pound rotisserie chicken from Whole Foods can cost around $9.99, but in some locations, you may find one for $7.99. This is more expensive than some of the warehouse club chickens, like Costo. Their rotisserie chickens cost around $4.99 for a three-pounder. Maybe Whole Foods’ option is more expensive because the meat is organic and antibiotics-free, but at least you have options.
What did you think about our Whole Foods Rotisserie Chicken Review?
Are you a fan of rotisserie chickens? How do you incorporate them into your meals? And which grocery store carries your favorite one? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
