Introduction
A rotisserie chicken from your local store is one of the quickest ways to fix dinner. It can be combined with mashed potatoes or rice and vegetables, and a yummy dinner will be ready. What’s more, this chicken can be served cold with low-fat dressing and greens salad. Or simply chop, shred or dice it to make any dish of your choice including enchiladas. Buying a rotisserie chicken is a good idea even when if you do not want to use it immediately; it gives you endless possibilities for dinner. So, how long can rotisserie chicken stay in the refrigerator? The answer to this question depends on the storage conditions, but it’s advisable to refrigerate the chicken in less than two hours after it’s cooked.
Storing Your Chicken
A freshly made rotisserie chicken is usually hot or warm. So, when you bring it home, the first thing is to allow it to cool down before you can refrigerate it. Place the chicken on a plate or in a shallow container to allow fast cooling.
Once the meat is cold, put it in an airtight container or a sealable plastic bag. You can use it within four days or freeze it for as long as four months. A freezer wrap or heavy aluminum will keep the chicken fresh for a long time. How you store your chicken determines how long it will remain safe for consumption. It should be frozen at a constant temperature of 0°F to ensure safety.
Can You Refrigerate Rotisserie Chicken After Thawing?
After freezing and then thawing a rotisserie chicken, you can still keep in the fridge, but not for more than four days. However, this is only possible if it was defrosted while still in the fridge. If you thaw the chicken in cold water or microwave, eat it immediately.
Can Rotisserie Chicken Remain Fresh In Room Temperature?
Rotisserie chicken is already cooked and allows fast growth of bacteria; it loses its freshness after two hours in room temperature. It would be wise to start with proper selection of the chicken in your local store; it has to be fresh for it to last long. Buy the hottest rotisserie chicken available; a cooler one has been in the room temperature for long. Choose your favorite flavor among the lemon pepper, barbecue, and spicy versions. Consider the most versatile for you because it’s easy to incorporate in several recipes.
Refrigerating the Rotisserie Chicken
Once you get home, either eat the chicken immediately or refrigerate it. For quick cooling, remove the bones and then refrigerate the boneless chicken. Depending on the number of people in your house, divide the chicken into single servings for quick meal preparation. It offers unlimited tasty and healthy options for dinner. If you plan to eat the chicken in less than four days, keep it in the fridge, but freeze it for long period storage.
Breaking Down Your Rotisserie Chicken
Start by taking off the chicken’s skin and do this before it cools down. You can break down the chicken into breast, thighs, wings and other parts or simply shred it. You can use your hands to shred off the drumsticks, breasts, and thighs. It is easy and makes refrigerating the chicken effortless and effective.
How Long Can Rotisserie Chicken Stay In The Refrigerator?
While a rotisserie chicken can last for months in the fridge, especially when frozen, it is always a good idea to look out for any unusual signs before you cook or eat it. Some of the signs to look out for are a bad smell, slimy texture, and mold on the meat. The color changes from white or brown of freshly cooked chicken to greyish or greenish color indicate it has gone bad. If you spot any of these signs, throw the chicken away. Eating such meat risks potential contamination
Conclusion
Chicken is tasty and versatile, and it a must-have in your fridge. However, despite being a healthy protein, it must be stored properly to avoid contamination. Look out for signs of improperly stored rotisserie chicken before you include it in your meal. This chicken can last for months without losing its freshness. But if you are wondering “how long can rotisserie chicken stay in the refrigerator?” the answer lies in how you store it.
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