Adding flavor to a cooked rotisserie chicken is easy with just a few simple ingredients and techniques. The rotisserie cooking process helps the chicken absorb its own juices and allows the skin to become crispy. However, plain rotisserie chicken can sometimes be bland and lack the robust seasoning of a homemade oven-roasted bird. Luckily, there are many ways to inject extra flavor into rotisserie chicken after it has finished cooking. Continue reading for tips on how to give your store-bought or homemade rotisserie chicken an extra flavor boost.
Use spice rubs and seasoning mixes
One of the easiest ways to add tons of flavor to cooked rotisserie chicken is to season it with spice rubs and seasoning mixes. These blends already contain the perfect balance of spices and herbs to give the chicken a flavor punch. Some good store-bought options include:
- Barbecue rub – Contains spices like smoked paprika, garlic, onion, chili powder, cumin, mustard, brown sugar, and salt.
- Jerk seasoning – Features a blend of spicy chilies, warm allspice, thyme, garlic, and onion.
- Taco seasoning – A zesty Tex-Mex blend with chili powder, cumin, garlic, onion, oregano, and red pepper.
- Italian dressing mix – Offers a medley of garlic, onion, oregano, basil, parsley, and red wine vinegar.
- Ranch dressing mix – Imparts a tangy, cool flavor with herbs like dill, parsley, garlic, onion, and pepper.
You can also easily make your own spice rubs at home by combining desired dried herbs and spices. First, remove the chicken skin and use paper towels to thoroughly pat the rotisserie chicken dry. Then, generously sprinkle your favorite spice rub all over the chicken, pressing it in to help it adhere. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to permeate.
Use flavorful sauces and condiments
Drizzling sauces and condiments over cooked rotisserie chicken is another excellent way to add moisture and flavor. Options like barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, and creamy salad dressings nicely coat the chicken. Consider these tasty condiment ideas:
- Barbecue sauce – Sweet tomato-based sauce with a hint of smoky spice.
- Honey mustard – Tangy yellow mustard blended with sweet honey.
- Ranch dressing – Cool, creamy dressing with herbs and garlic.
- Blue cheese dressing – Bold, pungent blue cheese flavor.
- Caesar dressing – Garlicky and savory with Parmesan and lemon.
- Buffalo sauce – Buttery red hot sauce perfect for chicken.
- Teriyaki sauce – Sweet soy sauce seasoned with ginger and garlic.
- Chimichurri – Fresh parsley sauce spiked with garlic and vinegar.
For best results, let the chicken cool slightly before coating it with your desired sauce. Spoon or brush the sauce over top, letting it flow over the meat and skin. Bake or broil the chicken for a few minutes to set the glaze.
Marinate in flavorful liquids
Soaking rotisserie chicken in a marinade is a hands-off way to infuse it with more flavor. Try marinating the cooked chicken for at least 30 minutes in one of these flavorful liquids:
- Italian dressing – Packed with garlic, herbs, and vinegar.
- Barbecue sauce – Imbues sweet smoky flavor.
- Teriyaki sauce – Imparts a salty-sweet glaze.
- Yogurt – Lends a tangy creaminess and tenderizes.
- Fruit juice – Choose citrus, pineapple, cranberry, etc.
- Wine or beer – White wine, ginger ale, etc.
- Broth – Chicken, vegetable, or beef broth.
Remove rotisserie chicken from the bones and place in a zip-top plastic bag with your desired marinade. Seal and turn to coat, refrigerating for at least 30 minutes. The longer it marinates, the more flavor will develop.
Finish on the grill
One last way to add serious smoky flavor to rotisserie chicken is by giving it a quick finish on the grill. This adds nice char marks and caramelization to give fantastic texture and flavor. Pat the chicken dry first. Then, heat a clean grill on high and lightly oil the grates. Place the chicken directly over the heat for just 1-2 minutes per side, watching closely to avoid burning. This light grilling provides great smoky notes without overcooking the already cooked meat. Grilling over indirect heat, turning frequently, also works well.
Make compound butters
Flavored compound butters are easy to make at home and offer unlimited ways to spice up plain rotisserie chicken. Try blending softened butter with any of these mix-ins:
- Minced garlic
- Chopped fresh herbs like parsley, basil, dill, etc.
- Spices like paprika, cumin, chili powder, etc.
- Lemon or lime zest
- Grated parmesan or crumbled blue cheese
- Hot sauce
- Horseradish
- Honey
- Pesto
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Olives
Let the flavored butter come to room temperature to soften. Then, slather it under the chicken skin or mix it into shredded meat for incredible flavor in every bite.
Stuff it with bold ingredients
For an extra flavor punch, you can also stuff rotisserie chicken with bold ingredients before serving. Try stuffing pieces of the chicken with:
- Sliced garlic cloves
- Fresh herb sprigs like rosemary, thyme, or sage
- Lemon, lime, or orange wedges
- Chopped chili peppers or jalapeños
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Feta, goat cheese, or bleu cheese crumbles
- Chopped olives
- Caramelized onions or shallots
- Chopped bacon
Use a paring knife to carefully make slits in the chicken breast or thighs and stuff the ingredients inside. You can also loosely fill the chicken cavity with flavor boosters. Roast for 10-15 minutes more to warm through before serving.
Create flavored oils
Drizzling herb-infused oils over rotisserie chicken gives it instant fresh flavor. To make flavored oils, combine olive oil or avocado oil with any of these ingredients:
- Garlic cloves
- Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, etc.
- Chili peppers or red pepper flakes
- Lemon or lime zest
- Sun-dried tomatoes
Heat the oil and flavorings in a small saucepan over low heat for 10 minutes to infuse the oil. Let cool and then drizzle over shredded chicken or use as a dip for chicken pieces.
Make a flavorful paste
For a highly concentrated flavor punch, make a quick herb and garlic paste to rub onto the cooked chicken. Process together any combo of these ingredients:
- Garlic cloves
- Fresh ginger
- Fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, parsley, etc.
- Spices like smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, etc.
- Olive oil or coconut milk to thin
- Chili peppers for heat
Rub this intense paste all over rotisserie chicken about 10 minutes before serving for incredible aromatic flavor in every bite.
Make a pan sauce
An easy pan sauce made right in the drippings of the rotisserie chicken adds heaps of flavor. After removing cooked chicken, pour off most of the fat from the pan drippings. Then, sauté aromatics like sliced garlic, shallots, or onions. Deglaze the pan with wine, broth, vinegar, or juice and let reduce. Finally, swirl in a knob of butter or cream to finish. Drizzle this savory sauce over chicken pieces or shredded meat.
Add flavorful toppings
Take your rotisserie chicken to the next level by topping it with any of these flavor-packed ingredients:
- Crumbled feta or bleu cheese
- Grated parmesan
- Caramelized onions
- Roasted garlic
- Sauteed mushrooms
- Chopped fresh herbs
- Crushed nuts or seeds
- Crisp bacon bits
- Diced avocado
- Fire-roasted tomatoes
- Roasted veggies like peppers, zucchini, etc.
Adding a flavorful garnish provides a nice crunch, creaminess, or texture contrast to really round out rotisserie chicken. These toppings keep things interesting and delicious.
Infuse flavor under the skin
Lifting up the chicken skin and stuffing seasonings underneath is an easy trick for maximum flavor impact. Try tucking any of these under the skin:
- Fresh herb sprigs
- Thin lemon, lime, or orange slices
- Minced garlic
- Chopped chili peppers
- Compound butter
- Pesto
Gently loosen the chicken skin from the meat with your fingers, taking care not to tear it. Stuff the flavor enhancers underneath, directly contacting the meat. The skin will hold them in place during cooking or reheating for wonderfully aromatic chicken.
Make a flavorful stuffing
For a more involved preparation, you can also make a flavorful stuffing to fill the chicken cavity. This adds texture and juiciness along with a flavor boost. Try combining any of these ingredients for the stuffing:
- Bread cubes or croutons
- Chopped onions, celery, carrots
- Chicken broth or butter
- Thyme, sage, rosemary
- Garlic, shallots
- Diced apples, dried cranberries
- Chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans
- Shredded cheese like cheddar, parmesan
- Cooked rice, quinoa, farro
- Sausage or bacon
Sauté the aromatics, combine everything, and use to loosely stuff the chicken cavity. Bake at 350°F until heated through, about 20 minutes. The stuffing absorbs wonderful flavor from the chicken drippings.
Make a flavor-packed salad
Shredded rotisserie chicken is ideal for fresh, healthy salads bursting with flavor. Consider making any of these salad ideas:
- Buffalo Chicken Salad – Chicken, romaine, celery, carrots, ranch dressing, hot sauce, blue cheese crumbles
- BBQ Chicken Salad – Chicken, lettuce, corn, black beans, avocado, barbecue ranch dressing
- Caesar Chicken Salad – Chicken, romaine, parmesan, croutons, Caesar dressing
- Taco Chicken Salad – Chicken, romaine, tomatoes, black beans, tortilla strips, avocado, salsa dressing
- Mediterranean Chicken Salad – Chicken, spinach, feta, olives, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Greek dressing
The chicken pairs perfectly with bold flavors like hot sauce, barbecue sauce, bleu cheese, avocado, beans, salsa, etc. Get creative with fun flavor combinations in chicken salads.
Use flavorful leftovers
Don’t let leftover rotisserie chicken go to waste. You can give a flavor boost to all kinds of leftover chicken recipes. Try adding it to:
- Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos
- Casseroles like enchiladas, pot pies, pasta bakes
- Soups like chicken noodle soup, chicken tortilla soup
- Sandwiches and wraps
- Pizza, flatbreads, and pitas
- Salads
- Rice or grain bowls
- Breakfast dishes like omelets, burritos, hash
Mix in zesty ingredients like salsa, barbecue sauce, sauteed veggies, cheese, etc. to amp up the flavor in leftover chicken recipes. Get creative with global flavors!
Conclusion
Rotisserie chicken makes the perfect blank canvas for all kinds of delicious flavors. With just a little creativity and simple ingredients like sauces, herbs, spices, cheese, veggies and more, you can take boring rotisserie chicken from bland to spectacular. Use these seasoning techniques and flavor combination ideas to give your next rotisserie chicken a serious boost of taste.