Dr Oz: Should You Buy Rotisserie Chicken?
There’s no denying the rotisserie chicken is one of America’s favorite quick, cheap, and easy meals. There are approximately one billion rotisserie chicken sold at supermarkets and big box stores every year, but have you ever wondered how they’re sold so cheap? Investigative report Mark Schatzker went on a mission to find out how one of America’s favorite chickens is sold for so cheap.
Mark first explained that a rotisserie chicken is typically cheaper than a raw chicken, by several dollars. You can usually get a rotisserie chicken for as little as $4.99. “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is, right?” Mark asked.
Dr Oz: Busting Rotisserie Chicken Myths At Costco
Mark went straight to America’s number one source of rotisserie chicken, Costco, to find out if any of the rumors about rotisserie chicken were true. He met with a manager in hopes of getting some of his most pressing questions answered. First, are rotisserie chickens really just expired raw chickens? Particularly at Costco, their rotisserie chickens come from an entirely different source than their raw chickens. It was explained that rotisserie chickens actually cost more than what Costco charges its customers, with the idea that when someone comes in to get a chicken, they will also purchase items that will make them money.
Dr Oz: Are Rotisserie Chickens Loaded With Salmonella Or Salt?
Do rotisserie chickens make for healthy meal ideas? Dr Oz took a closer look at the popular store-bought food item to find out. (pegwinn / Flickr)
Another theory is that rotisserie chickens are loaded with salmonella since they sit in the store all day. But at Costco they cook them to 180 degrees which is well above standard food code. The chickens are kept in the display case for two hours and after that they are pulled. Each container is stamped with the exact time it was put on the shelf so workers know when to pull them.
Finally, are rotisserie chickens loaded with sodium? There’s about the same amount of salt in a 3 oz piece of rotisserie chicken, as there is in a bag of chips. The truth is that rotisserie chickens really are a good way to get an easy dinner on the table, while avoiding more processed chicken options.
Dr Oz: Are Rotisserie Chickens A Healthy Meal Option?
When Mark joined Dr Oz, he explained that he was most surprised by the volume at which rotisserie chickens are sold. He said it seemed like every person who came into Costco bought one. Mark also explained that rotisserie chickens are actually a processed food. They’re pre-seasoned in factories and arrive at the supermarket ready to be put on a skewer and cooked. That means there is a good amount of salt in the chicken, as well as other hidden ingredients like MSG, sugar, yeast extract, natural flavorings, and more. Flavored chickens can be really appetizing but most of them contain everything from added salt to brown sugar! That’s why it’s best to buy chicken without rubs or flavors. Check the ingredient list and go for simple!
Dr Oz: Healthiest Ways To Enjoy Rotisserie Chicken
Dr Oz believes that rotisserie chicken can be a great health meal option, as long as you do it the right way. Dr Oz also suggested you save 170 calories per serving just by removing the skin of a rotisserie chicken. On the other hand, Mark believes eating chicken without the skin is like watching a movie with the sound off. He suggested you go ahead and indulge with the skin, but pair it with a lighter, healthy side dish.
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