Can You Freeze Cooked Rotisserie Chicken (3 Simple Steps)

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You can freeze rotisserie chicken for up to 4 months while maintaining its quality as long as it’s stored at or below 0°F.

Cooked chicken is such a versatile food to have on hand, quick weekday meals for busy nights or sandwiches.  But how do we do that when it will only stay fresh in the refrigerator for a couple of days?

The perfect solution is to freeze and store it! Then you’ll always have some portion sizes ready to go when you need it, and guaranteed fresh every time. 

Learn how to freeze and store cooked leftover chicken with these simple steps.

Can You Freeze Cooked Rotisserie Chicken

You can freeze rotisserie chicken; I have broken the steps for freezing a whole rotisserie chicken below, as well as chicken off the bone. Three simple steps will ensure you have easy meals on hand.

Steps to Freezing Whole Rotisserie Chicken

If you have found a deal on rotisserie chicken or don’t have time to eat your whole chicken you can freeze it whole. Just remember if you defrost the whole chicken you’ll need to eat it all as you can’t refreeze it.

Storing a Whole Rotisserie Chicken:

1. It’s essential to let it cool down completely before storing. Moisture buildup can cause freezer burn or potential bacteria growth.
2. Remove from the original bag or container.
3. You can opt for an airtight container or ziplock bag, depending on your space and preferences. Label it with the contents and date.
4. Place the chicken inside, push out the air, and seal the bag.
5. Put the rotisserie chicken in the freezer.
6. Use the chicken within four months; it can be frozen longer, but the flavor won’t be as optimal.

Steps to Freezing Chicken Off The Bone or Shredded

If you have eaten some of the chicken but want to store the remaining meat in the freezer you can. This is perfect for making salads, sandwiches or soup at a later time.

Storing a Whole Rotisserie Chicken:

1. It’s essential to let it cool down completely before storing. Moisture buildup can cause freezer burn or potential bacteria growth.
2. Once it cooled remove the meat from the bones. You can shred it or leave it in bigger pieces if you prefer. It depends how you want to use it in the future.
3. Portion the meat out, and think about how much you will need to reduce the meat spoiling once defrosted.
4. You can opt for an airtight container or ziplock bag, depending on your space and preferences. Label it with the contents and date.
5. Use the chicken within four months; it can be frozen longer, but the flavor won’t be as optimal.

Thawing Out the Frozen Rotisserie Chicken

There are a couple of ways you can defrost the chicken safely. You can place the individual portions in the refrigerator and let it defrost. his is the best way to keep the quality. 

It will take some time though, so pop it in the refrigerator the night before you want to use it. Use the microwave as a last resort. It tends to defrost unevenly and cook in spots.  

What Can You Do With the Cooked Chicken?

What can’t you cook with frozen chicken? Once defrosted, you can add it to anything to make a delicious meal.  Add a bit of chicken broth for the liquid. 

Add to your favorite pasta dish, chicken pie, or a classic chicken salad, soups, wraps, casseroles, and sandwiches are all perfect for cooked chicken. Even a chicken stir-fry works well!

Next time you see chicken on special, buy it in bulk and freeze it! Then when you need just grab the amount of chicken you need out of the freezer and you have a quick meal.

Smoke On!

Charlie

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