How To Reheat Rotisserie Chicken – 6 Ways

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Find out how to reheat rotisserie chicken six different ways. When you have leftovers that need reheated, these methods will help you achieve hot, moist chicken perfect for a variety of meals.

Rotisserie chicken in package.


 

There are so many ways to use a rotisserie chicken from making chicken salad to chicken stock, it’s one of the best deals at the grocery store. The crisp skin and delicious meat makes for an easy, tasty meal.

I think most people would agree that rotisserie chicken is best when it’s piping hot right from the store but sometimes the timing doesn’t work out and you have to refrigerate the chicken for later.

That’s why we are sharing how to reheat a rotisserie chicken six different ways. These are all great methods for getting nice, hot chicken while keeping the meat moist and not dry.

How to reheat rotisserie chicken in the air fryer

This is probably one of my favorite methods. Air fryers cook by circulating hot air which helps to crisp up the skin while keeping the chicken moist.

  1. Remove the chicken from it’s packaging and place the chicken in air fryer basket.
  2. Cook for 4 minutes at 350 degrees F or until chicken is heated through.
  3. Carefully remove from basket and serve.

Tips:

  • No need for extra oil. All you need is the chicken.
Whole chicken in air fryer basket.

How to reheat rotisserie chicken in the oven

This method takes a little longer than the others but it’s worth the wait. Reheating in the oven is a great way to keep the chicken skin crispy and the meat tender and juicy.

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Take the chicken out of it’s packaging and place in an oven safe baking dish. Add about 1 cup of chicken stock or broth to the bottom and cover with foil. The broth will help moisten up the chicken.
  3. Cook in the oven for about 20-25 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and let roast another 4-5 minutes to crisp up the skin.
  4. Serve warm and enjoy.

Tips:

  • Depending on the size baking dish you use, you might want to add a little more broth or water. You will want it to come up about 1/4 inch.
  • Don’t skip covering the dish with foil. This helps to keep the chicken moist. You can bump up the heat to 400 degrees F to get a nice crisp skin at the end.
Whole chicken in baking dish.

How to reheat rotisserie chicken on the stove

Reheating on the stove is a great way to heat pieces of chicken off the bone. This is the method I use often when I’m warming up chicken for the kids.

  1. Remove the chicken you want to reheat.
  2. Lightly spray skillet or saucepan with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken in the skillet and heat over medium for about 4-5 minutes. Make sure to stir the chicken around with a spatula so it doesn’t burn.
  3. Remove from the pan once it is heated through.

Tips:

  • Be careful not to overcook the chicken. It will make it tough.
  • Stir constantly to help avoid overcooking.
Pieces of chicken in skillet.

How to reheat rotisserie chicken in the microwave

I will admit, this is not my favorite method but it works in a pinch. Reheating in the microwave requires that you remove the chicken from the bones. I like to cut off what I need to reheat and either chop or shred the chicken.

  1. Place the meat in a microwave safe bowl. Drape a damp paper towel over the bowl and microwave for about 1 minute. Add 30 seconds at a time as needed.
  2. Remove chicken and serve hot.

Tips:

  • The damp paper towel isn’t absolutely necessary but I do think it helps the chicken keep it’s moisture.
  • You can heat in 30 second intervals to achieve the desired hotness.
Bowl in microwave.

How to reheat rotisserie chicken in the Instant Pot

Yes, a whole chicken can be reheated in the Instant Pot. You will be using the steam function for this method.

  1. Pour a cup of water in the Instant Pot and then place the trivet in the pot.
  2. Place the chicken on the trivet.
  3. Place the lid on and put the vent to sealed.
  4. Set for “steam” pressure function and cook for 5 minutes.
  5. Do a quick pressure release and check chicken temperature. You might need to steam 2-3 minutes depending on the size of the chicken.

Tips:

  • Make sure to wrap the chicken in foil and put the seam side up.
Foil wrapped chicken in instant pot.

How to reheat rotisserie chicken in the slow cooker

This method takes a few hours but produces a super moist and delicious chicken.

  1. Place about 1 cup water or about 1/2 inch up in the bottom of slow cooker.
  2. Wrap chicken in foil and place in the crockpot. Make sure to put the seams at the top so that water doesn’t touch the chicken.
  3. Place crockpot cover on and heat for 2-3 hours on high or 3-4 hours on low.
Chicken wrapped in foil in slow cooker.

Ways to use leftover rotisserie chicken

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Chicken in a black container.
5 from 2 votes

How to Reheat Rotisserie Chicken

By heather
Six methods for reheating rotisserie chicken.
Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 32 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • 1 rotisserie chicken

Instructions 

Air Fryer

  • Remove the chicken from it's packaging and place the chicken in air fryer basket. Cook for 4 minutes or until chicken is heated through.

Oven

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Take the chicken out of it's packaging and place in an oven safe baking dish. Add about 1 cup of chicken stock or broth to the bottom and cover with foil. The broth will help moisten up the chicken. Cook in the oven for about 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil and let roast another 4-5 minutes to crisp up the skin.

Microwave

  • Place the meat in a microwave safe bowl. Drape a damp paper towel over the bowl and microwave for about 1 minute. Add 30 seconds at a time as needed.

Instant Pot

  • Pour a cup of water in the Instant Pot and then place the trivet in the pot. Place the chicken on the trivet. Place the lid on and put the vent to sealed. Set for "steam" pressure function and cook for 5 minutes. Do a quick pressure release and check chicken temperature. You might need to steam 2-3 minutes depending on the size of the chicken.

Slow Cooker

  • Place about 1 cup water or about 1/2 inch up in the bottom of slow cooker. Wrap chicken in foil and place in the crockpot. Make sure to put the seams at the top so that water doesn't touch the chicken. Place crockpot cover on and heat for 2-3 hours on high or 3-4 hours on low.

Skillet

  • Place the meat in a microwave safe bowl. Drape a damp paper towel over the bowl and microwave for about 1 minute. Add 30 seconds at a time as needed.Remove chicken and serve hot.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 521mg | Sugar: 1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
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8 Comments

  1. I want to use refrigerated rotisserie chicken to make a chicken pot pie casserole. Do I just shred the cold chicken and put in recipe or reheat the whole chicken, then shred, then add to casserole to be cooked in oven?

    1. You can use the shredded cold chicken. No need to reheat the chicken if you are baking the casserole. Hope this helps.

  2. I reheated my first rotisserie chicken today in a glass 9×9 pan and noticed it needed another 5-10 min. Thanks for these tips though!

  3. If I reheat a frozen rotisserie chicken in the crock pot, would it be alright to place it on a rack, as to not let it get wet from the water? Of course, I’d still keep it wrapped in the foil.

  4. Have you tried reheating a frozen rotisserie chicken in the instant pot? I’m wondering how it would turn out and how much time to add. My family loves Costco rotisserie chicken but it is a little out of my way so we only eat it on Costco days. I would love to be able to reheat frozen ones.

    1. I have not tried from frozen but I think if you thawed the chicken in the refrigerator overnight and then reheated it would work well. I might try reheating in the oven to achieve a crispier skin.