A chicken in a rotisserie oven
By JENNIFER SWEENIE
Rotisserie Chicken Is Cheap Because Of One Unsettling Reason
To keep prices low, grocery stores repurpose raw chicken that is close to expiring in their rotisseries, offsetting the extra costs incurred by cooking and packaging the chickens.
To enhance flavor and prolong shelf life, a common industry practice is to inject the chickens with solutions containing sodium, sugar, MSG, preservatives, and other additives.
Rotisserie chickens are safe to eat as long as they are handled and stored correctly, adhering to USDA guidelines. They will keep for three to four days when stored in the fridge.
Ingredient transparency varies. Some stores list ingredients on the packaging, while in smaller stores, consumers can inquire about the contents to avoid unwanted additives.