Are you reheating Costco rotisserie chicken correctly? If your microwaving methods are resulting in soggy or dried up chicken, then you are in the right place to fix the issue.
Costco rotisserie chicken is quite delicious, tender, juicy with a great flavor. The mouthful of flavors can be enhanced when chicken is reheated in the microwave using the proper methods.
How do you microwave Costco rotisserie chicken? To reheat Costco rotisserie chicken, place it on a microwavable plate, cover with a damp paper towel and nuke on medium heat until the internal temperature reaches 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heating time might vary depending on the wattage power of the microwave and how much chicken meat is being reheated. After reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit on a meat thermometer, remove it from the microwave and serve while hot.
Including rotisserie chicken, Costco has countless options when it comes to already made food. Unless you are feeding the entire family, you will still end up with leftover rotisserie chicken in the fridge.
Costco isn’t the only place to get good roasted chicken, Whole Foods rotisserie chicken is also great to bring home for a prepared meal. When properly storing leftover rotisserie chicken, it can be revived to serve with salad, soup or sandwich the next day.
In this article, we are going to share our personal experience for how to reheat Costco rotisserie chicken in the microwave. Answered below are frequently asked questions about microwaving Costco rotisserie chicken to get the best results every time you reheat it.
Can You Reheat Costco Rotisserie Chicken in Microwave?
Yes, you can reheat Costco Rotisserie chicken in the microwave. Reheat to an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be considered safe to eat.
Costco rotisserie chicken is cooked and held in a hotbox for customers to safely purchase the ready to eat meal prep. The package generally recommends to use oven to reheat the chicken, however warm in the microwave if you don’t have time to wait for the oven to heat up.
To reheat the rotisserie chicken you bought from Costco, always check the label and reheating instruction. Despite having adequate nutritional information, the label will also provide instructions on how to warm rotisserie chicken from the store.
Verify if the package is microwave-safe or not by double checking the microwave-safe symbol at the bottom of container. If not, transfer to a microwaveable plate so that it is safe to heat in the appliance.
Is it Safe to Reheat Costco Rotisserie Chicken in Microwave?
Yes, reheating Costco rotisserie chicken in a microwave is safe, but you can only reheat once. As long as the chicken is stored properly, then it can be safely reheated to an internal temperature of 74°C or 165°F.
Unfortunately, without paying attention and following correct cooking instructions, microwaving might end up drying out your Costco rotisserie chicken.
The package that the rotisserie chicken comes in is most likely not microwave-safe. To safely reheat the chicken in microwave, transfer the amount you are planning to heat up into a microwave-safe container to avoid from harmful chemicals leaching into your food.
After reheating the chicken, it is advised to consume it at that time, no matter how you prepare it.
How Long Do You Reheat Costco Rotisserie Chicken in Microwave?
On average, it will take 2 minutes on medium to high power for 1000 watts. Ensure to use a microwave-safe plate or bowl, and cover with damp paper towel to keep the moisture intact.
Reheating Costco rotisserie chicken in the microwave is the fastest way. However, the reheating time varies depending on the amount of chicken and wattage of microwave.
It is important to understand that food safety to consume uneaten rotisserie chicken is based on proper storage of the leftovers and the internal temperature of the meat once reheated. Make sure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius.
Also, the size of the chicken pieces matter for the cooking time, and also whether or not the meat is on the bone. The smaller broken down pieces take shorter reheating time compared to a whole chicken with bones.
How Do You Know When Costco Rotisserie Chicken Is Reheated in Microwave?
In order to know if the Costco rotisserie chicken is reheated in microwave, look for signs of steam, smell an aroma of roasted chicken and touch with fingertips all around.
A meat thermometer is the best way to check that the Costco rotisserie chicken is fully reheated. Reheat the rotisserie chicken at medium to high heat in the microwave until it attains an internal temperature of 165 degrees F or 74 degree C.
To check whether the chicken is hot or cold, consider sticking a meat thermometer in the middle of the thickest piece, or close to the bone, to register the internal temp. If it goes up to 165 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s fully heated and ready to eat.
How to Store Costco Rotisserie Chicken
Whether it is leftover or next day meal, you can store Costco rotisserie chicken in the fridge or freezer. Store in an airtight container and cool below 40 degree Fahrenheit within 2 hours of being cooked.
According to the USDA food safety guidelines, chicken is a perishable food that must be stored under refrigeration. Leftovers must be refrigerated within 2 hours of being cooked to be considered safe to reheat.
Since you didn’t cook the Costco rotisserie chicken, because they cooked it for you, then how do you know when it was cooked? Check the label on the packaging, and it should have a timestamp printed, this will tell you when the chicken was pulled off the rotisserie, packages and labeled.
Take the chicken home, remove the packaging and store it in a shallow plate or container to allow it to cool easily. When your chicken cools, cover the airtight container or transfer into a sealable Ziploc bag and place in the refrigerator or freezer.
Keep cool until you are ready to use the chicken, within two to three days for optimal freshness, and if not then transfer it to the freezer. When freezing the chicken, make sure the bags are airtight to avoid ice particles forming which causes freezer burn.
When store properly, leftover Costco rotisserie chicken will maintain its flavor and juicy texture when reheated in microwave.
Tips to Reheat Costco Rotisserie Chicken in Microwave
Rotisserie chicken pieces are flavorful and delicious that can be enjoyed later in the day or within the next day or two. With proper storage and reheating method, it can sustain its fresh roasted taste and be ready to reheat at anytime.
To reheat Costco rotisserie chicken, use these microwave tips to warm it up quickly:
- Make sure that the meat is properly stored so that it is safe to reheat.
- Remove the rotisserie chicken from the packaging and separate the meat from the bone.
- Use microwavable containers or plate when microwaving leftover rotisserie chicken to avoid potential microwave dangers.
- Cover the Costco rotisserie chicken with a damp paper towel before microwaving to help in retaining moisture.
- Nuke for about 2 minutes, then check the internal temperature. If necessary, flip and rotate, then continue heating for 30 second intervals until proper temperature is reached
- Do not store the chicken again after reheating, consider consuming everything or warm the size you need for that particular meal.
Best Way to Reheat Costco Rotisserie Chicken in the Microwave
Whether you are reheating the chicken breast, leg or thigh in microwave, heating up pieces is a lot more efficient and time saving instead of nuking the entire Costco rotisserie chicken.
To microwave Costco rotisserie chicken without drying it, transfer the chicken from original package into a microwave-safe shallow bowl or plate. If possible, cut into smaller pieces to spread out in an even layer.
Add a sauce like teriyaki, barbecue, or cream of mushroom soup, or use a splash of water to maintain moisture so the meat doesn’t dry out. Wrap the dish with a piece of microwavable plastic wrap or damp paper towel to help keep the chicken moist and eliminate dryness.
Place it in the microwave and reheat on medium to high heat for 2 minutes. Check the chicken by carefully touching with fingertips and measure with meat thermometer so the chicken reached safe internal temperature to consume.
If needed, reheat the chicken 30 seconds intervals until desired temperature is reached. Ensure to turn the other side over for even heat and prevent cold spots from developing.
Enjoy while it’s hot and avoid storing reheated chicken due to losing the freshness, texture and creating a breeding ground for food borne bacteria.
Reheating Costco Rotisserie Chicken in Microwave: Conclusion
When reheating Costco rotisserie chicken, the microwave is the quickest way, but it can leave the chicken dehydrated if not done correctly. The rotisserie chicken should remain juicy and tender, even after reheating in a microwave.
Consider adding a little liquid such as water, chicken broth or your favorite sauce to heat in the microwave oven to ensure the chicken pieces remain moist and delicate.
Adjust the microwave to medium to high heat setting, and it will take about 2 minutes to completely reheat the Costco rotisserie chicken. However, depend on the amount of chicken and wattage power of microwave, the reheating time may vary slightly.
Make sure to check the doneness every 30 second interval until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches a point that is safe to consume.
When there is leftover chicken, store them properly in fridge or freezer to preserve the perishable food to enjoy in the coming days. It is not recommended to store already microwaved chicken pieces as they may not be safe to eat and the chicken meat will become tough and dried out.
Consider to microwave small pieces at a time to speed up the reheating process. Save the remaining Costco rotisserie chicken for next meal, reheat in the microwave for quick and easy addition to a salad, soup, or sandwich.