Costco’s rotisserie chicken is famous for being cheap, tasty, and very large. However, some customers have noticed that the chicken can be quite chewy or rubbery in texture. There are a few reasons why Costco chicken often ends up chewier than chicken from other grocery stores or restaurants.
Quick Answers
– Costco chickens are bigger so they require longer cooking times which can dry out meat.
– They are cooked in rotisserie ovens en masse which makes moisture control difficult.
– The chickens are rotated slowly during cooking which allows the meat to rest on hot metal racks.
– For food safety, Costco aims to thoroughly cook their chickens to at least 165°F internal temperature.
– The chickens need to hold their shape and not fall apart for easy handling and transport.
Why Costco Chickens are So Large
One of the main reasons Costco chickens end up chewier is their large size. The average chicken from Costco weighs around 3.5 to 4 pounds while a typical grocery store rotisserie chicken is only 2 to 3 pounds. Chicken breasts from the supermarket usually range from 0.5 to 1 pound each.
The extra large size of Costco chickens requires longer cooking times in order for the heat to fully penetrate all the meat thoroughly. The longer exposure to high heat causes the proteins in the chicken to contract more and squeezes out moisture, leading to a drier, chewier texture.
Mass Production Methods
Another factor is that Costco cooks their chickens in high volume using large rotisserie ovens. The chickens are stacked vertically in the oven on a rotating spit and surrounded by heating elements.
While this allows them to efficiently cook hundreds of chickens per hour, it also makes moisture control more difficult. The heating elements send hot dry air surrounding the entire chicken which further dries out the exterior. Their vertical stacking arrangement allows juices to drip down onto lower chickens.
Cooking on Hot Metal Racks
As the chickens rotate in the oven, they rest against hot metal grills and rods designed to cradle them in place. The constant contact with these hot metal racks transmits direct heat into the meat which promotes additional moisture loss. The areas touching the metal will end up the most overcooked and chewy.
| Cooking Method | Moisture Control | Chewiness |
|---|---|---|
| Rotisserie Oven | Poor | High |
| Grill | Medium | Medium |
| Oven | Best | Low |
High Internal Temperatures
For food safety, Costco aims to cook their chickens to an internal temperature of 165°F or higher. Chicken cooked to 165°F will be safe to eat but the high internal temperature dries out the proteins. Lower final temperatures around 150°F would result in a juicier texture.
Costco errs on the side of caution because their chickens are sold unwrapped and handled frequently by customers. Reaching over 165°F ensures any bacteria on the exterior has been killed off. A lower cooking temperature could potentially leave bacteria alive inside the meat.
Designed for Transportation
Finally, Costco chickens need to maintain their shape and structural integrity for easy handling. Employees move them from the rotisserie ovens onto cutting boards for carving then into takeout containers.
Chickens cooked to a juicier medium doneness would fall apart during this process. The well-done chewier texture ensures they hold their shape during transportation all the way to the customer’s dinner table.
Is the Chewy Texture Avoidable?
The chewy dried-out texture of Costco chickens is difficult to avoid given their cooking methods and focus on food safety, efficiency, and practicality. Consumers who desire a more tender, juicy chicken may want to try the following tips:
– Purchase smaller chickens around 2 to 3 pounds in size
– Remove the chicken immediately when internal temp reaches 165°F
– Portion the chicken and submerge in broth to re-hydrate
– Brine or marinate the chicken before cooking
– Wrap in foil and continue cooking to break down collagen
– Shred the chicken and mix into casseroles, salads, or sandwiches
Conclusion
In the end, Costco prioritizes safety, value, and convenience with their popular rotisserie chickens. Achieving those goals along with the extremely low $4.99 price point sacrifices some textural quality. Fans of Costco chicken don’t seem to mind the chewier consistency as they continue to buy over 60 million per year!
For shoppers wanting a less chewy option, trying smaller chickens or ones cooked using other methods may provide a juicier, more tender texture. Or, shredding or soaking the Costco chicken in liquid during the meal prep process can mitigate the dried-out chewiness as well. At just $5 for a big, hot, ready-to-eat chicken, Costco fans keep coming back.