Rotisserie is a style of roasting meat skewered on a long solid rod, called spit, over a fire in a fireplace or roasted in an oven. The meat is cooked by occasional rotation of the rod over the fire. The meat gets cooked in its own juice and the continuous rotation ensures that it gets evenly basted throughout. People often wonder “is rotisserie chicken healthy” and “is rotisserie chicken good for weight loss?” Well, if you compare this roasted chicken to the deep-fried one which is packed with fats, the roasted one is definitely good for weight loss.
Rotisserie Chicken Nutritional Content
A 100g serving of rotisserie chicken has 184 calories. It has 8g of fats and 96mg of cholesterol and 347mg of sodium. It doesn’t include any carbohydrates but contains 27g of proteins. It has high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids, about 1,087mg. Rotisserie chicken also has a good amount of phosphorous and potassium. It provides three percent of the recommended intake of iron and one percent each of calcium and vitamin A.
Prior to assuming a positive answer to your question “is rotisserie chicken healthy?”, you should rethink. Meats, when cooked at high temperatures, produce carcinogenic compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs ). According to the National Cancer Institute, a diet high in HCAs from meat increases the risk of stomach, breast, and colon cancers.
Also, rotisserie chicken has a high amount of sodium which triggers multiple health issues.
Is Store-Bought Rotisserie Chicken Healthy?
Researchers at the Kansas State University found out that ready-to-eat rotisserie chicken had the highest levels of HCAs and the rotisserie chicken skin had even more due to its high-fat, high-protein, and low-moisture content.
The layer of fat underneath the skin is filled with a type of polyunsaturated omega-6 fat which is highly inflammatory. According to the International Journal of Cancer, dietary patterns very high in omega-6 PUFA may promote breast cancer development.
The store-bought chicken has three times of sodium compared to the home-cooked one. The birds are injected with a saltwater solution that enhances the flavor and moisture.
So now you know the answer to “is rotisserie chicken healthy?”
Benefits of Rotisserie Chicken
Rotisserie chicken is prepared using the dry method of cooking. It just requires seasoning and no prior greasing. The dry cooking method keeps fat and calories in lean protein meat like chicken low.
In addition, rotisserie chicken contains a high amount of protein and fair amounts of vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, potassium, and vitamin B12. It also contains niacin which promotes healthy digestion and improves skin and nerve health.
Simple Rotisserie Chicken Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 (3 pounds) whole chicken
- 1 pinch salt
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- ¼ tablespoon ground black pepper
Directions
Take a pinch of salt and season the chicken, including the inside. Skewer it on a rotisserie and then grill on high temperature. Roast for 10 minutes.
While the chicken is cooking, mix butter with one tablespoon of salt, paprika, and pepper in a small bowl. Reduce the grill temperature to medium and carefully glaze the chicken with the butter mixture. Let it set and cook the chicken for one to one-and-a-half hours. Keep basting the chicken with the butter mixture occasionally.
Take the temperature of the chicken thigh after the cook time completes. It should read 180°F. Remove the chicken from the rotisserie and let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Cut into small pieces and serve with cheesy dip.
So, we know that there are plenty of health benefits when you eat a grilled or baked chicken, there are a few measures you can take to avoid the risk of HCAs. Avoid cooking at a very high temperature. You can keep flipping the chicken to avoid the exposure of one part to the fire for a long time. Prefer using a microwave to shorten the time required for cooking and in turn the exposure to heat. The good part is that according to the research carried out the Kansas State University, marinating the rotisserie chicken with spices, herbs, oils or lemon juice before cooking may reduce its HCA content. So, while you can try out this rotisserie chicken recipe, remember to enjoy it once in a while to avoid any risks.
Sources:
Ipateno, S., “Nutrition Information of Rotisserie Chicken,” LIVESTRONG.COM web site, January 13, 2014; http://www.livestrong.com/article/351843-rotisserie-chicken-nutrition-information/, last accessed February 14, 2017
“Rotisserie Chicken,” Allrecipes web site; http://allrecipes.com/recipe/93168/rotisserie-chicken/, last accessed February 14, 2017
Chemicals in Meat Cooked at High Temperatures and Cancer Risk,https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/cooked-meats-fact-sheet, last accessed March 14, 2017
