For quick meal prep, perhaps no item is more helpful than a grocery store rotisserie chicken. It saves you the time of roasting up your own chicken, and a rotisserie chicken is often much cheaper than making one fresh in your own oven.
As a new Costco member, I was eager to try the rotisserie chicken that takes up a lot of space in the back of the store’s deli. I was interested in whether Costco would beat Sam’s Club in a protein product bigger than the Warehouse Monsters hot dogs.
To compare the two, I purchased a rotisserie chicken from each location. This is something I could do in person at Costco, but my chicken from Sam’s Club came via Instacart since I don’t belong to that club. Tasting each chicken and noting vital aspects like texture, juiciness, packaging, and flavors, I determined which of the two rotisserie chickens I believe is superior.
Sam’s Club’s rotisserie chickens are a staple for many households. With their convenience, affordability, and delicious flavor, it’s easy to see why they are so popular. However, like any perishable food, it’s important to understand how long they stay fresh and safe to eat. In this article, we’ll provide a definitive guide on the shelf life of Sam’s Club rotisserie chickens and give you tips to maximize their freshness.
Overview of Sam’s Club Rotisserie Chicken Shelf Life
The general guideline is that a Sam’s Club rotisserie chicken will stay good for 3-4 days when properly stored in the refrigerator at 40°F or below. This window can vary based on several factors that affect freshness, which we’ll explore in more detail shortly. The key is to refrigerate the chicken within two hours of purchase carve it right away store it in an airtight container, and keep your fridge nice and cold.
If you eat rotisserie chicken that has been out at room temperature for more than two hours, you are much more likely to get sick from bacteria. Safety first, so if you’re not sure, throw it out.
Key Factors That Influence Sam’s Club Rotisserie Chicken Freshness
How long your Sam’s Club chicken will last depends on a number of important factors.
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Purchase Temperature: The temperature of the chicken when you buy it matters. It should feel hot to the touch when purchased. If it seems lukewarm or cool, it may have been sitting out too long.
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Cooling Time: Quickly cooling the chicken after bringing it home extends shelf life. Get it into the fridge fast, within two hours maximum.
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Temperature for Storage: Keeping the fridge at 40°F or less all the time keeps food from going bad. Higher temps accelerate it.
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Cross-Contamination: Storing the chicken sealed away from raw meat/produce prevents bacteria spread.
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Individual Sensitivity: Those with weakened immune systems should be extra cautious with food safety.
Proper storage is the #1 controllable factor. Let’s look closer at best practices.
Storing Sam’s Club Rotisserie Chicken for Maximum Freshness
Follow these guidelines for storing your rotisserie chicken:
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Refrigerate ASAP: Get the chicken into the fridge within two hours of purchase. Never leave it out beyond two hours.
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Use Airtight Containers: To keep food from drying out, store it in containers that seal tightly or wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap.
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Place on Lower Shelves: Put chicken on lower shelves to prevent drips from contaminating other foods.
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Separate Storage: Keep raw meats/produce separate to prevent bacteria spreading.
Diligent storage habits are essential for maximizing shelf life and safety.
How To Tell If Your Sam’s Club Rotisserie Chicken Has Gone Bad
Even when stored properly, it’s wise to periodically check your chicken for signs of spoilage:
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Bad Smell: If it has a sour, unpleasant, or ammonia-like odor, discard it.
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Slimy Texture: Sliminess or stickiness on the skin likely means spoilage.
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Discoloration: Grey/green tinges indicate the chicken has gone bad.
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Sour Taste: If the chicken tastes off, sour, or rancid, throw it out. Don’t take risks.
When in doubt, playing it safe is always the best call.
Freezing Sam’s Club Rotisserie Chicken
Rather than trying to eat the whole rotisserie chicken within 3-4 days, you can safely freeze it for later use. Here’s how:
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Remove the meat from the bones and divide it into portion sizes.
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Place the portions in freezer bags or plastic wrap. Remove excess air.
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Label the bags with the freeze date and contents.
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Freeze for up to 4 months.
To thaw, refrigerate overnight. Reheat to 165°F until hot and steaming. Freezing may slightly alter the texture.
Repurposing Leftover Sam’s Club Rotisserie Chicken
Shredded rotisserie chicken meat is extremely versatile. Try using it in:
- Salads
- Soups
- Sandwiches
- Tacos
- Casseroles
- Quesadillas
- Pasta dishes
Get creative with the leftovers! This reduces waste and gives you easy, pre-cooked chicken for multiple meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can you leave it out unrefrigerated? Never longer than 2 hours. Discard if left out beyond this.
Can you eat it after 5 days in the fridge? It’s not recommended past 4 days due to increased risk of bacteria.
Is it safe to reheat? Yes, reheat to 165°F. Microwave or oven work well.
Does freezing change the taste? It may slightly alter texture but not significantly impact taste.
How long does it last frozen? 4-6 months if stored at 0°F or below.
Is the sell-by date the expiration date? No, focus on the 3-4 day window and signs of spoilage.
Can you refreeze after thawing? No, refreezing is not recommended. It affects quality.
What if the package feels cold when purchasing? Return it. Chicken that cooled too much before sale may not be safe.
Can you use the bones for stock? Yes, roast the bones first for enhanced flavor then simmer for hours.
Nutrition information and ingredients
Between the two rotisserie chickens, the nutritional differences arent anything substantial. Both chickens come in at 140 calories with 7 grams of fat and 19 grams of protein. The only place they differ is in the sodium numbers. The Costco bird has 460 milligrams of sodium, and Sams Club has 430 milligrams. The difference in your recommended daily intake is only 1%.
In terms of ingredients, there is slightly more variance. While the Costco bird has a simpler ingredient listing, it has one ingredient that may be a little concerning to some: carrageenan. Its intent is to thicken or even provide preservative quality to food. For some, it will be important to know that the additive is very common and can be found in a lot of different foods, even nut milks. However, it may be bad for your digestive system.
What is a grocery store rotisserie chicken?
All rotisserie chickens are roasted, but not all roasted chickens are rotisserie. The biggest difference is the movement of the chicken during the roasting process. Rotisserie chicken rotates around, cooking evenly throughout, but a roasted chicken, like a chicken you might prepare in your oven at home, gets put in a pan and then sits, stationary, in your oven. There is no constant rotation here.
At many grocery stores, youll find rotisserie chickens in the deli. At some stores, like Walmart, Target, or Publix, these rotisserie chickens are made only a couple birds at a time. There are so many rotisserie chickens being made at big warehouse stores like Sam’s Club and Costco that it’s quite a sight.
My family has been enjoying home-cooked roasted chicken with veggies as one of our go-to meals, and while its delicious, especially when cooked with veggies in the pan, its a long cook for a weeknight (or any night) of dinner. Thats one of the reasons that a grocery store rotisserie chicken is just so beloved. Theres no prep time, and you have dinner nearly ready as soon as you check out.
Rotisserie chickens from Costco and Sams Club are something of a staple item. Youd be hard-pressed to visit either store without seeing each one with fully stocked warming shelves absolutely full of rotisserie chickens.
If youre a member at either location, you can get the chickens for their listed price. Costcos in-store rotisserie chicken price is $4. 99. Not to be outdone, Sams Club offers it for ever so slightly less, at $4. 98, making it the cheaper of the two warehouse store rotisserie chickens.
I belong to Costco but not Sam’s Club, so I had to use Instacart to order my chicken from Sam’s Club. At my location, this meant I paid $6. 32 for the chicken, more than a fourth as much more. If I werent a Costco member, my price would have been higher there, too, at $6. 21, slightly less than a fourth as much more.