The Popularity of Costco’s Rotisserie Chicken
Costco’s rotisserie chicken is one of their most popular prepared food items. Many customers love the juicy, tender chicken that comes hot out of the oven at just $4.99 for a nearly 3 pound bird. It’s easy to see why when you compare to grocery stores where rotisserie chickens can cost $8-10 for a smaller portion. Costco sells over 60 million rotisserie chickens every year! With numbers like that, it’s clear people love Costco’s rotisserie chicken. But why exactly is it so delicious? The answer lies in how Costco brines their birds before cooking.
The Secret is in the Brine
Brining is the process of soaking meat in a saltwater solution before cooking. This helps keep the meat incredibly moist and infuses it with extra flavor. While many grocers simply use a basic salt and water mixture, Costco takes their brine a step further for maximum juiciness. They soak their chickens in a proprietary blend of water, salt, sugar, and sodium phosphate for at least 8 hours before rotisserie cooking. The blend of ingredients helps the chicken retain moisture and gives it a delicious, savory flavor.
The Purpose of Each Brining Ingredient
Water – The base of any brine is water. Water helps the salt and sugars permeate through the meat.
Salt – Salt is a natural flavor enhancer and helps the chicken retain moisture.
Sugar – Sugar balances out some of the harsh saltiness and gives the chicken a touch of sweetness.
Sodium Phosphate – This is likely the secret ingredient that sets Costco’s brine apart. Sodium phosphate is a natural ingredient that helps meat retain moisture and prevents it from drying out.
How the Brining Process Works
Brining chicken is effective for two reasons: osmosis and denaturation.
Osmosis – When the chicken is soaked in the salty brine, the salt draws moisture out of the cells through osmosis while simultaneously drawing the seasoned water into the meat. This allows the chicken to absorb more moisture than usual.
Denaturation – The salt also denatures the proteins in the meat, which makes the proteins hold onto more water as they cook.
Together, these two effects create an incredibly moist and flavorful chicken. The sodium phosphate enhances the effect further.
How Costco Rotisserie Chickens Are Made
Here is an overview of Costco’s rotisserie chicken process:
- Whole chickens are delivered fresh, never frozen, from trusted suppliers.
- The chickens are seasoned and then placed into a large vat of proprietary brine solution.
- They soak in the brine for at least 8 hours to fully absorb the flavors.
- Workers drain the chickens, truss them, and skewer them onto rotisserie spikes.
- The chickens slowly rotate on the rotisserie oven for about an hour until fully cooked.
- They are removed from the oven, allowed to rest for a few minutes, then packaged and sold hot and ready to eat.
As you can see, the brining process is vital for giving Costco’s rotisserie chicken its signature flavor and juiciness.
Nutrition Information for Costco Rotisserie Chicken
| Serving Size | Calories | Fat | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 chicken (443g) | 730 | 49g | 1280mg |
While rotisserie chicken is not the leanest protein source, Costco does remove the skin before packaging to cut down on fat and calories. Overall, Costco’s rotisserie chicken is a tasty and cost-effective prepared meal option.
Alternatives to Enjoy Rotisserie Chicken
While Costco’s rotisserie chicken is delicious on its own, there are plenty of ways to enjoy it beyond eating it plain. Here are some quick and easy meal ideas:
- Chicken Caesar salad – Shred the meat and toss with romaine, parmesan, and Caesar dressing
- Chicken tacos or burritos – Warm the meat and combine with taco toppings
- Chicken sandwiches – Shred the meat and place on rolls with your desired toppings
- Chicken pizza – Top a prepared crust with shredded chicken, cheese, and veggies
- Chicken pasta – Toss shredded chicken with pasta, pesto, roasted veggies or other ingredients
- Chicken soup – Simmer the meat with broth, veggies and noodles for a comforting soup
With so many possibilities, Costco’s affordably priced rotisserie chicken can be turned into endless quick and delicious meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costco rotisserie chicken healthy?
While not the leanest protein, Costco rotisserie chicken can be a relatively healthy option. Costco removes the skin before packaging to reduce fat and calories. When enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet, it makes for a tasty and convenient meal.
Is there a secret ingredient besides salt and water in the brine?
Yes, Costco adds both sugar and sodium phosphate to their proprietary chicken brine recipe. The sugar adds a subtle sweetness and the sodium phosphate helps the chicken retain even more moisture.
Do they inject the chicken with broth or butter?
Costco does not inject their rotisserie chickens. The flavor and moisture comes solely from soaking in the special brine before cooking. This allows the chicken to absorb flavors throughout.
Why is Costco rotisserie chicken so cheap?
Costco is able to sell their large, hot rotisserie chickens at just $4.99 by keeping costs down in a few ways. They make deals for bulk poultry orders, and use their own in-house rotisserie ovens at each warehouse location rather than 3rd party cooking facilities. The chickens themselves are minimally seasoned to let the flavor of the fresh brined poultry shine through.
Does Costco lose money on rotisserie chicken?
Contrary to some speculation, Costco maintains they do not lose money selling rotisserie chickens at such a low price point. Between high sales volume, bulk order discounts, and keeping operational costs low, Costco finds the chickens to be a profitable product. They help draw customers in store for even more purchases.
Conclusion
In the end, Costco is able to produce such juicy, flavorful and affordable rotisserie chickens thanks to their special brine containing water, salt, sugar and sodium phosphate. This brining process helps the chickens retain moisture and absorb savory flavor all the way through. Combined with high-volume rotisserie oven cooking, Costco has perfected the value-priced roasted chicken. Next time you are shopping at Costco, be sure to pick up one of their famous rotisserie chickens for an easy and delicious meal. Enjoy it on its own or shredded over salads, tacos, pasta and more.