Here’s How Much Meat You Can Get Off One Rotisserie Chicken

Rotisserie chicken is a saving grace for no-cook meals in summer and speedy weeknight meals all year long. Already seasoned and roasted, all that’s left to do is carve the bird and enjoy or shred the meat for endless uses (tacos, soups, and pot pie, to name a few). Knowing how much meat is on a rotisserie chicken will help you gauge what you’ll need for a recipe or how many people the chicken will serve. If you’ve been stumped in the deli section of your supermarket or at Costco before, read on to learn how much meat is on a rotisserie chicken so you’ll know just what to get the next time you shop. 

How Much Meat is on a Rotisserie Chicken?

The average rotisserie chicken weighs about 2 pounds and has about 3 cups of meat. This might not seem like a lot compared to the larger raw chickens in the meat case, which average 4 to 6 pounds. It’s important to remember that cooked weight is usually a lot less than fresh weight. Rotisserie chickens also tend to be smaller in general, so they can cook evenly on the rotating spits, so they’re more cost-effective for stores to cook and sell. Most shredded rotisserie chicken recipes that serve four people call for between 1 and 3 cups.

How Much Dark Meat and White Meat Are in a Rotisserie Chicken?

An average rotisserie chicken will have about 2 cups of white meat (from the breasts) and 1 cup of dark meat (from the legs and thighs). Most recipes that call for chopped or shredded rotisserie chicken will not specify white or dark meat, as using both will add great flavor and ensure none of the meat goes to waste. 

How to Shred Rotisserie Chicken

To break down and shred a cooked rotisserie chicken, start by carving the bird into pieces. Remove the legs and thighs, then remove the chicken breast halves from either side of the breast bone. Next, remove the skin and any bones from the pieces. To shred, use your hands to tear into shreds, following the grain of the meat (it should peel apart easily). You can also use two forks or a pair of tongs, though working with your hands is easiest. 

How to Store Rotisserie Chicken

Store shredded rotisserie chicken in an airtight container in your fridge for 3 to 4 days, or in a resealable freezer bag for up to a month. Thaw frozen chicken overnight in the fridge and warm through with a splash of chicken broth to add moisture.