If you’re looking for a quick and easy meal, grocery store rotisserie chickens can seem like a great option. But not all of them live up to the hype.
Based on customer reviews, there are some rotisserie chickens you might want to skip. From unsavory taste to questionable quality, here’s what you should probably pass up the next time you’re in the store.
1. Walmart Rotisserie Chicken
Walmart’s rotisserie chicken is cheap; right now, you can get a 36-ounce chicken for $5.97 if you buy it online, or $6.97 in the store. A Business Insider review reports that it literally falls apart when trying to take it out of the bag. The chicken can be so tender that it breaks into pieces and soaks in its own juices, which can make it difficult to serve without a mess. (ref)
Customers on Reddit aren’t impressed with Walmart’s rotisserie chicken either. One person said it looks and feels strange, while another posted that the texture is “tough and stringy.” (ref)
2. Costco Rotisserie Chicken
Costco’s rotisserie chicken is very affordable at around $4.99, and it’s popular for its size and flavor. But some people say it has a strange “soapy” taste. (ref) In a Reddit thread about favorite rotisserie chickens, one person mentioned that Costco’s chicken has a strange chemical taste. (ref)
The chicken is also sourced from Foster Farms, which had some health issues in the past. In 2013 and 2014, there were salmonella recalls connected to their chickens. (ref)
3. Kroger Rotisserie Chicken
Kroger’s rotisserie chicken, which costs around $6, has some serious concerns. One issue comes from a customer who got extremely sick with severe vomiting after eating it. There’s speculation that the carrageenan (a common food additive) in the chicken could be to blame. (ref)
Carrageenan has been linked to health problems like cancer and intestinal issues in animal studies, (ref) so if you’re cautious about additives, this one might be best avoided.
4. Publix Rotisserie Chicken
Publix rotisserie chickens can be a bit hit or miss, according to some customers. In 2024, a person on Reddit mentioned spending $7.50 on a chicken, only to find it smaller than expected when they weighed it at home. Someone who worked at the deli explained that Publix no longer sells chickens by weight, so the size depends on what the supplier sends them. (ref) This means smaller chickens are sometimes just what you get.
There have been complaints on Facebook as well, like one where a customer found the chicken they bought still had its head on. Publix has since apologized and asked for more details. (ref)
5. Safeway Rotisserie Chicken
At Safeway, rotisserie chickens are sold as a ready-to-eat convenience item, often touted for their affordability and flavor, but when Safeway shared a video for National Rotisserie Chicken Day, it didn’t get the response they likely hoped for.
One customer complained that the chickens were small and undercooked, while another called them “nasty dry” and had to cover them with mayo to make a chicken salad. (ref) If you end up with dry chicken, try reheating it with broth.
Many customers on Reddit shared similar thoughts, with one saying their fresh chicken was so dry it was disappointing. (ref)
Not all rotisserie chickens are created equal, so the next time you’re in the store, you might want to think twice before picking up one of these chickens. Check for other options that are more likely to satisfy your hunger and taste buds.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.