Roasted Chicken Vs Rotisserie Chicken: What’s The Difference?

Roasting and rotisserie are ideal ways to cook poultry, including chicken.

The debate running in kitchens across any part of the world about which dish is better: roasted chicken or rotisserie chicken has never ended.

This article will partially help you know more about these dishes, and eventually, the choice is yours.

What is roasted chicken?

Roasted chicken is a popular dish in many American households.

When you have a whole chicken or a batch of chicken legs stored in the freezer, it is best to give them a roast.

It is an easy and quick way to turn these cuts into a mouth-watering dish that all the family members will enjoy.

Some people often use the term “roasted” and “baked” interchangeably, in fact, they are two different things.

Roasted chicken is cooked in the oven at a higher temperature (normally 400 degrees Fahrenheit).

It is usually cooked with whole or spatchcock chicken rather than small cuts like breasts or thighs.

Chicken is usually placed in a pan or baking tray, uncovered, and roasted in the oven until it reaches the golden brown and crispy skin with cooked and juicy meat.

Roasted chicken can be served with plenty of delicious side dishes like pasta, soups, salads, or sandwiches.

What is rotisserie chicken?

Rotisserie chicken, or known as spit-roasting, is a way that chicken is cooked in a rotisserie oven or an open flame.

The whole chicken is skewered on a wooden or metal spit, then kept slowly spinning so that the chicken is cooked evenly by the heat below.

If you have a rotisserie chicken, it will automatically spin and you can have a delicious dish after minimal effort.

When it comes to rotisserie chicken in a fireplace like a campfire, you will need to manually spin the chicken to get rid of burnt areas.

Spit-roasting chicken over an open flame, on the other hand, will result in a special taste that is smoky and tastier than cooking with electric heat.

Rotisserie chicken is crispy outside while very juicy inside.

It is best to enjoy with some vegetables, either steamed or grilled, rice or bread, and any kind of your favorite sauce on the side.

What are the differences between roasted chicken vs rotisserie chicken?

Roasted chicken and rotisserie chicken differ in several ways, which will be broken into pieces in the comparison table below:

	Roasted chicken	Rotisserie chicken
Cooking method	Chicken is placed fixedly in a pan/ baking tray, then put in the oven to roast using high heat (400 degrees Fahrenheit)	Chicken is skewered in a wooden or metal spit then cooked by spinning over an open flame, or inside a rotisserie oven
Cooking time	Shorter	Longer
Texture	Usually juicier and a bit fattier because the chicken is coated with olive oil or butter while roasting	Usually drier and crispier on the outside

What are the similarities between roasted chicken vs rotisserie chicken?

Roasted chicken and rotisserie chicken also have a lot in common.

Below are the similar features between these two chicken dishes:

1. Roasted chicken and rotisserie chicken typically make use of whole chicken

Both recipes typically call for the whole chicken.

When cooking these ways, using the whole chicken will allow the chicken to lock the moisture inside, making the meat juicy and sweeter.

If you work with individual cuts like chicken legs, wings, or chicken breast, there is a higher chance that your dish will end up drier and chewier.

2. Roasted chicken and rotisserie chicken have a crispy crust and juicy meat

Another thing in common between these two dishes is that chicken always shows up with crispy and beautifully golden skin with the meat inside being very juicy and soft.

3. Both dishes are healthy options to cook chicken

Either roasting or rotisserie chicken, you can help render the fat out of the chicken, making the resulting dish less greasy and lower in calories.

It is especially suitable for people who want to eat something delicious without sacrificing their weight and health.

Which one is better?

Product Comparison	Campbell's Oven Sauces, Classic Roasted Chicken, 12 Oz, Pack of 6	Whole Foods Market, Classic Rotisserie Chicken, Chilled
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After reading our article, you must have gained more knowledge of roasted chicken and rotisserie chicken, as well as know how to differentiate these dishes.

Now it’s time to decide.

Do you prefer the glossy outer coating of fat from a roasted chicken or the smoky flavor of rotisserie chicken on a campfire?

Let us know how you feel about these dishes.