Costco rotisserie chicken...why is it so good?

[riceisnice2011]

One of the only reason i shop at costco is because of the rotisserie chicken, not because its cheap, not because its convenient, simply because its the best spit roasted chicken.
Just wondering if anyone has any idea why the costco chicken is that much better? is it the chicken, the the special seasoning, the special plastic container it comes in? any input or thoughts would be appreciated, and if you know if another place to get great tasting rotisserie chicken or meats- please share on this thread...thank you and to great eating.

[Monica]

Best roasted chicken you'will ever taste; get a 3-4 lbs kosher chicken, pat it dry with paper towels...put a good amount of salt and pepper..roasted it in 450 for about an hour or hour and 10 min...depending on size...don't do anything to it.
You will fall off the chair because it's so good.

To me, roasted chicken from Costco tastes a bit artificial.

[burge]

Tastes like Swiss Chalet here in Canada and its yummy and do not get how you can buy a whole bird cheaper that one that is uncooked

[awm922]

The chickens are most likely injected with salt based flavorings similar to all frozen turkeys. Usually there is a 20% solution meaning that 1/5 of the weight of the bird before cooking is the injected solution. Of course, a lot of the moisture cooks off, but a some of the moisture remains and the salt helps keep the natural moisture of the meat. You will also see pork tenderloins injected the same way. The ingredient listed in one post has Carageenen. This is just a binder derived for seaweed that helps the meat hold moisture. Same for modified food starch. That is usually a potato powder or nonfat dry milk. Both are in there to hold moisture. With water being the second ingredient after the chicken, the rest of the ingredients are mostly to keep that water from being cooked out. If you ever see the birds before they're cooked, they are rather plump for the average bird you buy in the supermarket. You would be very surprised at the meat that is pumped with flavorings, water and sodium that you would not think should be. Check your labels. If you see the words sodium, salt or water, it's injected. Hence the word, "Processed".

Bottom line is, the salt content is not too bad. The worst part of the chicken is still the skin. They taste good and like anything else, consumed in moderation is just fine.

[timothysliao]

20% percent solution? Impossible. Please don't make up numbers just to prove a point

[awm922]

I do recant and correct.

20% is for Pork. 3% is the max for Poultry.

You can check the USDA-FSIS. Those figures are not made up.

[Tom34]

I think average cheap supermarket chicken such as Tyson is up to 12 or so percent solution and says so on the package.

I have had 2% that I got from a high end restaurant purveyor friend which actually tastes like chicken. Not the same as supermarket chicken.

If you doubt the 12% solution, cut the breasts off the bone and grind it. Your bowl will be filled with soggy grindings. I do it all the time to make chicken burgers and have to drain the grindings in a colander to get the water out prior to making the burgers.

[VBHres]

Costco rotisserie chickens are injected with bacon fat. That's what makes them taste so darned good. Bacon!

[coll]

Hmmm. I sometimes coat my turkey/chicken with duck fat, now here's an economical alternative. I always have a few jars around.

[achtungpv]

The Costco in Austin used to carry vacuum packed deboned rotisserie chicken meat. It was fantastic and perfect for a variety of dishes. It's been gone for about a year. Has anyone else seen it?

[FoodDee]

Some store have it in the back in the meat prep area and you have to ask for the bulk prepared chicken - haven't checked in a few months though.

[Bob W]

The fact that you get a three-pound bird for $4.99 improves the flavor considerably. Esp. when a 1.75-lb bird from the local supermarket costs more.

While there is no question that Costco's birds are really salty, there is a ton of meat on them. We use them in all sorts of dishes, and there's always plenty of scraps for the the dog.

[sueatmo]

I don't find these good. I bought one once, and was not impressed. Too salty and artificial tasting. In fact, most rotisserie chickens taste that way to me. I've had a Whole Foods bird or two, and they taste to me slightly better.

[cstr]

I think they're very good compared to most super markets that charge more for less, in weight, for a bird. As for flavor, I think they're the better of the super market offerings. I usually get at least 2 complete meals out of one chicken and have enough left over to start a pot of stock with the remaining meat and bones. Not bad for $4.99!

[sueatmo]

It isn't a bargain, though, if you don't like it. I forgot to mention that it, like other rotisserie chickens I've had, is awfully oily/greasy. And it sorta tastes like lunchmeat.

[cstr]

I can say the same for liver, it can be free but, if I don't like liver it isn't going to be better cuz I bought it at Costco of WF. So, if you don't like their chicken, no one is twisting your arm to buy it.

[sueatmo]

And so I don't.

[rockandroller1]

I was starting to think I was the only one. I think they're terrible. I don't mind salty at all. Hell, I could sit down and eat a pound of bacon, but I think they have a chemical-ly undertaste that's very unpleasant.

[sueatmo]

It may be that Costco chickens taste better to some because the local stuff is poor. I don't know but it all tastes comparable to me. As I said before, WF chickens are slightly better, IMO. But as you said, there is an additive flavor that I just don't like.

[fledflew]

I don't like them either. I've tried then a couple times over the years and didn't actually find them salty. In fact, I found them to be flavorless. Perhaps their chickens originate from different suppliers depending on the region? If they tasted more chickeny, that'd be a step forward. The other issue I have is the texture. They seem really mushy and pasty. Kind of like play-doh. The flabby skin isn't very exciting either. In all fairness to Costco, I find these same faults in supermarket rotisserie chickens as well. The only readily available takeout rotisserie chicken I really care for is from Boston Market.

[pikawicca]

Salt, salt, salt. Probably way more than you should be ingesting. Tasty? Yes. Healthful? No. Much better to roast your own.

[pdxgastro]

Seriously, salt is the magic ingredient. My friend got the 'secret' recipe to KFC chicken. It had TONS of salt.

[Samalicious]

Salt! SALT! SAAAALLLLLTTT!

Does everyone on this board have high blood pressure?

Yes, the chicken has a lot of salt in it, so no, you wouldn't want to eat it every day.
Lord.

[RetiredChef]

One KFC OR Drumstick = 310mg sodium
3 ozs of Costco rotisserie chicken = 460mg sodium

One KFC OR Drumstick = 7 Grams of fat 1.5 Grams saturated fat
3 ozs of Costco rotisserie chicken = 7 Grams of fat 2.5 Grams saturated fat

Many people are under the impression that Costco's rotisserie chicken is better for you than friend chicken when in fact it has more sodium, the same amount of fat and more saturated fat.

[treb]

I think there's less chicken meat on a KFC leg than 3 oz of boneless meat. Either way, prepared foods have flavor for a reason. Want a real salt shock, look at the label on a tomato juice container.

[fragnet]

Retired Chef - I find it mildly amusing that you have turned into the food police regarding salt in Costco chicken ("I find them very salty and unpalatable but I tend to eat much less salt than the average person"), when in another Costco-related thread you tout the wonderfulness of buying assorted cheeses, bacon and hot dogs there at great prices.

[RetiredChef]

LOL I can't believe that you are accusing me of being the food police because I say salt should be used in moderation. Will you accuse me of being a neo-prohibitionist if I say alcohol should be used in moderation too? ;-)

The fact is:

Salt is good in moderation
Cheese is good in moderation
Bacon is good in moderation
Hot Dogs are good to in moderation.

If my diet consisted of three hot-dog's with two sliced of bacon on each dog and slathered in cheese for every meal then I think we can all agree that is not healthy.

[mucho gordo]

Let's not overlook their fabulous baby-back ribs, also. Messy and juicy but fall-off-the bone delicious; best ribs in the area.

[ML8000]

I'll pick the ribs over the chicken any day. The mesquite wings however are hit and miss.

[Monica]

I don't think it's the best tasting roasted chicken but wow they sure are big for chickens. I try to avoid it.

[foodflubs]

Good point, Monica. These roasted chickens from Costco are the largest of any sold in my area. I can pay more money for a much smaller bird at other stores with half the flavour? As far as eating quantity, I guess we'll have to leave that to the discretion of the buyers? Thank you for your interest. :-)

[cstr]

They are a great value, I often use them for pot pies and when I'm partially done eating one in the coinventional style, I use the remaining parts to make a broth. I guess if they weren't as flavorful people would say they're tastless! Oh well...

[Beach Chick]

I buy a chicken from Costco every week for my dog..
I render down the carcass for stock for a good risotto base..
Just got one today..and my dog can't wait for dinner!

[sedimental]

Lucky Dog!

[cstr]

Sure wish I was Kona!!, that pooch has the life!

[Beach Chick]

; )

[mucho gordo]

I thought we were the only ones who did that. Mrs. G. will buy one, eat the wings and legs. The rest is for the dog, who lets me take a piece of skin and breastmeat.

[Beach Chick]

It's the best bang for the buck over quality kibble..
Mrs. G has got it going on!

[bagelman01]

My idiot SIL buys a Costco chicken evry other day for her dog. BUT she won't give the dog dark meat. SIL doesn't like dark meat, so she won't cut it off the carcas and feed the dog.
My dogs get the dark meat delivered the next morning and love it.

[coll]

Bigger is better when it comes to chickens. More meat, they let them grow another week or two. I'm so tired of 2 and 3 lb chickens. Why would you avoid it??

[foodflubs]

I, too, purchase the odd chicken from costco and enjoy the flavour very much - but it is so tasty and good that I have often wondered about the additives, as well. My home-cooked turkeys bear a tremendous resemblance to these chickens and I place them in a briney solution for 12 hours prior to cooking. There is definately salt added to costco chickens! My biggest concern about costco chicken is whether or not they are fed growth-hormones, which is illegal in Canada. Are they imported from the USA and thus get around regulations here?

[riceisnice2011]

what type of briney solution do you use, i would like to try it.

[foodflubs]

I use a very clean 5-gallon plastic bucket - fill half-full of cold water & stir-in a cup of salt, be it regular, pickling or sea-salt. Submerge the turkey into the brine & add enough water to fully cobrined birdver. Place some kind of a weight on the bird to keep it fully submerged. Leave for approx. 12 hours then remove and rinse thoroughly. Prepare the bird as usual adding stuffing, etc. Enjoy a delightful brined-bird, :-)

[knowspicker]

The USDA prohibits giving hormones or steroids to chickens so all US chicken in hormone free.

[MandalayVA]

The reason it's so good is the reason people complain about it--there's a lot of salt in the brine. But any chicken that keeps its breast meat juicy even when it's cold is good. If I make a Costco run, a chicken's coming home with me.

[RetiredChef]

Because you are accustomed to a lot of salt in your diet.

I find them very salty and unpalatable but I tend to eat much less salt than the average person.

[ML8000]

Brined and a bit too salty if you ask me. I don't particularly care for them but that's just preference. Good for second meal uses, as mentioned.

[Joel]

Definitely brined. I find it a bit salty, but not too much.

Ingredients: whole chicken,water,salt,sodium phosphate, modified food starch, sugar,carrageenan,soy lecithin,flavorings and xanthan gum.

"No Preservatives,MSG, Gluten, Artificial Flavors or colors."

[riceisnice2011]

is this the ingredient list straight from the package?

[yimster]

When I asked the cook at Costco he went inside and pulled off the tub the chickens came in. Not sure if it on the package the chicken comes in.

But if you ask he will show you.

[westaust]

Ingredients list is a bit different in Canada

Chicken, Water, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Modified Tapioca Starch, Modified Potato Starch (Potato Dextrin), Sugar, Dextrose, Spices, Flavour

[yimster]

Civil Bear is close to the right answer. They come in brine from the source and I do not think you do not want to know what is in the brine.

I was did see the ingredient list and it has a lot on it, but if you are interested in seeing the list just ask.

But I love the chicken for making Chinese Chicken Salad.

[pamf]

Which other rotisserie chickens are you comparing them to?

Costco's are probably better than most supermarket chickens because the turn over is quicker and you are not getting a bird that has been sitting around for hours. I think they also use somewhat larger birds. It has been a while since I have had one. They definitely inject them with some kind of seasoning. I personally find them overly seasoned and salty.

For a delicious roast chicken try the Roli Roti trucks, which are at various farmers' markets around the Bay Area. Very good quality chickens, simply seasoned and cooked perfectly.

-----
Roli Roti
, Hayward, CA

[chuckl]

Agree with pamf, roli roti uses quality fulton ranch chickens and does not oversalt their brine the way costco does. I just got tired of how salty the costo chickens are, though i still buy them from time to time. Roli roti also has fingerling roasted potatoes.

[artemis]

I agree on both points. Costco's chickens are so salty as to be inedible to me.

[Spatlese]

Head-to-head, I don't think there's a comparison - Roli Roti's chickens are definitely superior tastewise. But you can't really beat the convenience of the Costco chickens when you're already there loading up on Charmin and gigantic blocks of Cheddar - plus, they cost, what? Half of what the Roli Roti birds do? Economical as hell, which is no small consideration in this day and age.

[Civil Bear]

I'm not a huge fan, but will pick them up from time to time because they are plump, cheap and convenient for making potpies or enchiladas or the like. They are definitely injecting them in some kind of solution that I would probably prefer not know about.

As for my fave, it can be found at Inka's.

-----
Inkas Restaurant
3299 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110