Is Rotisserie Chicken Good for Weight Loss?

Medically Reviewed on 8/18/2022
Rotisserie Chicken
Rotisserie chicken is rich in proteins and low in fats and calories.

Rotisserie chicken is a simple recipe in which chicken is roasted by direct heat rather than fried or deep-fried. It is lower in calories and fat than restaurant fried chicken. Hence, rotisserie chicken is a good choice for people aiming for weight loss.

Rotisserie chicken is rich in protein and other nutrients, which makes it a healthier choice of food.

What is rotisserie chicken?

  • Rotisserie chicken is a simple chicken recipe in which chicken is roasted in a rotisserie by spit roast (where the chicken or any meat is screwed to spit, which is a long rod to hold either chicken or any meat and heated with direct heat).
  • When it is grilled, it gives a smokey flavor without any seasoned herbs.
  • It is usually cooked or roasted with skin, which makes it tasty, crispy, crunchy, and rich in protein.
  • Rotisserie chicken is processed chicken because it is seasoned with various herbs in factories and supplied to supermarkets, so it has a higher sodium content. Hence, people with blood pressure and heart problems should exercise caution.

Why is rotisserie chicken good for weight loss?

  • It is rich in proteins, which makes it a healthy choice of meal. Proteins are digested slowly and keep you fuller for a longer time, avoiding unhealthy food cravings.
  • It is gluten-free, which makes it a perfect choice for people who are on diet.

What are the 5 healthy recipes for rotisserie chicken?

Because rotisserie is a very quick and easy recipe, it is preferred for busy moms. Still, they can make different recipes, and the dish is much tastier.

A few healthy recipes for rotisserie chicken include:

  1. Tacos made of rotisserie chicken
  2. Chinese chicken salad with peanuts
  3. Rotisserie chicken noodle soup
  4. Quinoa bowl made with chicken roast
  5. Chicken salad croissant sandwich

What are some of the recipe tips?

  • Poultry rub seasonings are usually high in sodium, which is not healthy for your heart. If you buy an already cooked rotisserie chicken, rub off excess oil and seasonings with a paper napkin. This will remove excess oil and salty seasoning.
  • Preparing rotisserie chicken at home in an oven removes excess sodium and fat. Instead of coating your chicken with oil, use nonstick cooking spray. Coat the chicken with plenty of herbs.
  • Stuff the inside of the chicken with lemons and dried herbs before you cook it. This adds more flavor, without any extra calories or fat.

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What is the nutritional value of rotisserie chicken?

Rotisserie chicken is rich in proteins and low in fats and calories.

The nutritional value of one rotisserie chicken thigh without skin (a total portion of 70 grams) includes:

Table 1. The nutritional content of rotisserie chicken thigh without skin (70 grams)
Nutrient Amount
Calories 135
Protein 16.9 grams
Fat 7.5 grams
Sodium 234 mg
Carbohydrates 0 grams
Fiber 0 grams
Sugars 0 grams
Selenium 16.2 mcg

The nutritional value of one rotisserie chicken thigh with skin includes:

Table 2. The nutritional content of rotisserie chicken thigh with skin (70 grams)
Nutrient Amount
Calories 190
Protein 19 grams
Total fat 13 grams
Sodium 285 mg
Carbohydrates 0 grams
Sugar 0 grams
Fiber 0 grams

The nutritional value of one rotisserie chicken wing with skin (a portion of 85 grams) includes:

Table 3. The nutritional content of rotisserie chicken wing with skin (85 grams)
Nutrient Amount
Calories 216 grams
Proteins 20.2 grams
Fat 14.4 grams
Sodium 83.3 mg
Carbohydrates 0 grams
Fiber 0 grams
Sugars 0 grams
Selenium 21.7 mcg
Niacin 5.4 mg

The nutritional value of rotisserie chicken breast without skin (the portion of 85 grams) includes:

Table 4. The nutritional content of rotisserie chicken breast without skin (85 grams)
Nutrient Amount
Calories 122 grams
Proteins 24 grams
Fat 3 grams
Sodium 83.3 mg
Carbohydrates 0 grams
Fiber 0 grams
Sugars 0 grams
Selenium 36 percent of DV
Niacin 51 percent of DV

Chicken is a rich source of several vitamins and minerals such as riboflavin, vitamin B12, niacin, zinc, selenium, and many other nutrients.

6 health benefits of rotisserie chicken

Six health benefits of rotisserie chicken include:

  1. Weight loss: Because rotisserie chicken is low in calories, low in fat, and rich in proteins, proteins digest slowly and keep you fuller for longer hours and help lose weight.
  2. Maintains body muscle mass: Protein-rich rotisserie chicken helps build body muscle mass and maintain lean muscle mass, which helps you when you grow older. Few studies have reported that loss of muscle mass and mortality are directly linked to each other.
  3. Helps control blood sugar levels and hormones: Proteins help control hormones because it regulates thyroid hormones and maintains blood sugar levels.
  4. Healthy bones: Dietary protein along with calcium helps maintain healthy bones.
  5. Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases: Selenium, a mineral that we get in foods such as chicken, protects the cell membranes from damage and platelets from becoming sticky, so these conditions will gradually reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
  6. Skin health: Vitamins and minerals found in rotisserie chicken help play an important role in blood cell development and neurological function, maintaining good skin health, and energy production.

What are the side effects of rotisserie chicken?

Although rotisserie chicken is healthy, there are a few downsides to it such as:

  • Rotisserie chicken is processed and preseasoned, so the brands may add high sodium contents, which are not good for health.
  • Sugar added as seasoning gives an unpleasant taste to the chicken.
  • The brands add many flavors and additives for seasoning. If you are concerned about additives, try to avoid rotisserie chicken. It is always better to consume fresh chicken than seasoned foods.
Medically Reviewed on 8/18/2022
References
Image Source: iStock image

https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7892506/is-rotisserie-chicken-healthy/ for health benefits of rotisserie chicken recipes.

https://www.brit.co/quick-rotisserie-chicken-recipes/ for rotisserie chicken recepies

https://www.eatthis.com/secret-side-effects-eating-rotisserie-chicken/ side effects of rotisserie chicken

https://www.consumerreports.org/chicken/is-store-bought-rotisserie-chicken-good-for-you-a3701237309/