There is no better place to buy some of them than Costco regarding ready-to-eat meals, especially meat. The rotisserie chicken is one of their top sellers. But how long is a Costco rotisserie chicken good for? Hold your quest and read the article to know the answers!
The rotisserie chicken from Costco is ready to eat, so it has a decent shelf life. On average, a rotisserie chicken from Costco should last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator and up to six months in the freezer.
Off lately, we have all been short on time. So, because of that, the ready-to-eat market has been flourishing like anything. Like Costco, many other places have come up with wonderful meals that only need to be heated.
But, with rotisserie chicken and certain other types of meat, there is no other place that is on par with Costco. So, many people might even buy these rotisserie chickens in bulk to store them for later use.
Now there comes the tricky part! The storage of ready-to-eat food is different from fresh food. Hence, certain parameters need to be kept in mind. No worries, though, as we will be discussing the shelf life of this rotisserie chicken, along with all the other details, in this article. So, let’s get started!
How Long Does Unheated Costco Rotisserie Chicken Last?
So, when it comes to food like this rotisserie chicken, the storage methods differ based on whether you have already heated the chicken. This is because the chicken is precooked and has preservatives.
This means that it has been made in a way that lasts longer than fresh food would. However, despite that, some precautions need to be taken, and proper storage should also be done. That is the only way a rotisserie chicken would last for as long as it should.
A whole, unheated rotisserie chicken from Costco should last four days in the refrigerator. This is provided because it is kept sealed in its original container. For about six months, the chicken will last much longer in the freezer.
How Long Does Heated Costco Rotisserie Chicken Last?
Eating a whole rotisserie chicken in a go might be someone else’s tea. Unless you have the appetite or a few people over at home, there will likely be some leftovers that you would wonder what to do about.
In most cases, ready-to-eat food should not be stored once it has been heated. This is, again, because of all the preservatives. But luckily, considering the size of a rotisserie chicken, the ones from Costco can also be stored after heating.
Heated Costco rotisserie chicken will last in the fridge for three days. After that, you should avoid eating it. If you want to store the leftovers for later, it is better to store them in the freezer, where they should last for 2-3 months.
How Long Does Costco Rotisserie Chicken Last At Room Temperature?
As a rule of thumb, food that needs to be refrigerated should be included at room temperature for a short time. But you may have accidentally left the rotisserie chicken from Costco and forgotten about it!
It happens to the best of us! There is no reason to panic, though! The chicken will go alright right away! As long as the chicken has not been out at room temperature for longer than 4 hours, it is good to go and can be eaten.
How To Store Costco Rotisserie Chicken Properly?
Proper storage of the chicken is an important step to make your rotisserie chicken from Costco last longer or last for as long as it is supposed to. Unless the chicken is stored properly, it will not go well sooner than you may have expected.
So, again, proper storage conditions must be followed and kept in mind. In this section, you will find tips on storing this rotisserie chicken properly before and after it has been heated all the way through.
1. Unheated Rotisserie Chicken
Unheated rotisserie chicken should be stored as it is in its original packaging. The packaging is usually done so that chicken should last for a decent amount of time. This way, the chicken can be stored safely in the refrigerator for four days and in the freezer for six months. Ensure the chicken is away from other food to avoid cross-contamination.
2. Heated Rotisserie Chicken
Once heated, there are certainly different ways to store the leftover rotisserie chicken from Costco. The leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two days. These leftovers can also be stored in the freezer for 2-3 months.
How To Tell If Costco Rotisserie Chicken Has Gone Bad?
Eating meat that has gone bad can have very bad effects on your health overall. Poultry is, moreover, something that you need to be even more careful with. Eating spoiled or expired poultry will surely give you stomach problems and can even be lethal.
So, although the rotisserie chicken from Costco is made to last for a long time, it can still get spoilt. So, looking out for signs of spoilage is just as relevant as other things. The first thing to keep in check is always the expiry date. Other than that, here are some easy ways to tell if your chicken is still okay or if it has gone bad.
1. Look At The Color
One of the easiest ways to tell if the rotisserie chicken has gone bad is by judging by its color. All over, the rotisserie chicken should have the same color. If you see patches where discoloration occurs, the chicken has gone bad and should be thrown away.
2. Smell The Chicken
Smelling the chicken is another easy way to judge its freshness. This rotisserie chicken should have a herby smell all over. If it smells putrid by any chance, it has surely gone bad.
3. Touch The Surface
Last but not least, you can judge whether the chicken is alright or not by touching its surface. The surface of the rotisserie chicken should be wet but not slimy. If it feels slimy, it hasn’t gone well and should not be eaten.
Final Word
Now that we have reached the absolute end of this article, I hope you got all your answers about Costco’s rotisserie chicken. Although this chicken lasts longer than regular chicken, it can still go bad and cause harm to your body if consumed. So, tracking when you bought the chicken and when you can use it is very important.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Costco’s rotisserie chicken be eaten after five days?
No, it is best not to consume it after four days if it has been in the refrigerator.
Can this rotisserie chicken be frozen?
Yes, the rotisserie chicken from Costco can be frozen.
How do you defrost rotisserie chicken from Costco?
To defrost the rotisserie chicken from Costco, you must leave it in the refrigerator overnight.
Can Costco rotisserie chicken be left at room temperature?
Costco’s rotisserie chicken can be left at room temperature, but not for 4 hours.
