Rotisserie chickens are full chickens cooked over a direct heat source like an oven, fire or campfire. Unlike crispy chicken or other types of meat, rotisserie chicken is healthy and low in fat, especially when you eat the white meat. Plus, these chickens can serve an entire family for relatively cheap. Between the breasts, drumsticks, legs and thighs, there's something for everyone! Let's cover the three most important health benefits of eating rotisserie chicken.
Protein comes from a number of sources, but many people get it from the meat and dairy products they consume. However, foods that contain a lot of protein also tend to have a lot of saturated fats, including pork, beef and lamb. Chicken, on the other hand, is a great source of protein and has lower levels of saturated fats. To make your rotisserie chicken even healthier, remove any skin or visible fat before eating. Also pay attention to your serving sizes, as most people need about 6-7 ounces of protein a day. A half a chicken breast is usually around 3 ounces.
Even though chicken is mostly associated with protein, it also contains many other essential vitamins and minerals, including niacin, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12. These vitamins are responsible for metabolizing sugars and fats, as well as maintaining healthy cells. Aside from B complex vitamins, a healthy serving of rotisserie chicken includes magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and zinc. The best part is, you get all of these nutrients without taking on more fat and cholesterol, providing you remove the skin. The chicken breast has the lowest fat content, and you can shred it for salads and soups so that it goes further but you consume less.
No matter where you get your chicken from - the grocery store or your favorite chicken restaurant - it should always be fresh. Rotisserie chickens usually are, but sometimes they stay on the rotisseries too long or are placed in warming trays. Always look for a date and time to ensure you get a fresh bird.
It's also worth buying a plain chicken rather than a seasoned chicken because the seasonings often contain preservatives like sodium phosphate, modified food starches, potato dextrin and carrageenan. Though these preservatives are recognized as safe by the FDA, you may not want them in your diet.
La Rosa Chicken and Grill has rotisserie chickens made fresh in our kitchens using the highest quality ingredients. Our chickens are always natural, preservative free and without added hormones or MSG. Stop into one of our chicken restaurants today for juicy fresh chicken made any way you want!