We all know that fried chicken is irresistible but can also be bad for our health because of the high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol.
It’s when rotisserie chicken comes in as a perfect solution.
So what exactly is rotisserie chicken and how does this dish differ from traditional fried chicken?
Let’s accompany us and figure it out in this article.
What is rotisserie chicken?
First, we should know what the term “rotisserie” means.
Rotisserie, known as spit-roasting, is a style of roasting meat that skews it on a spit for cooking over an open fire.
This helps the food cook evenly in its natural juices and also makes bating easy because you can continuously turn them around to ensure even browning all throughout.
The rotisseries are often set up in public spaces, like in a camping area in the forest or park.
This method has been around for centuries (almost since fire was discovered) but it wasn’t until recently that this style of cooking became popular all over North America.
Usually, an entire animal is skewered on a long solid rod and then being roasted over time.
It can be electronic equipment that spins automatically or a manual one that requires the cook to occasionally turn the meat to get rid of burnt.
So rotisserie chicken is usually the whole chicken that is cooked in the rotisserie way.
The resulting dish has beautiful brown skin with succulent meat.
The flavor can vary depending on the mixture of spices you used to marinate the chicken.
What is fried chicken?
Fried chicken is a staple in American cuisine, especially Southern cuisine.
It can refer to chicken that is cooked by the deep-frying method, either with or without a batter.
The best way to define fried chicken is by the food’s texture and taste.
The meat should be tender and juicy with a crispy exterior that has been seasoned well.
To achieve a crispy crust, the chicken should be coated in a nice batter or flour.
If you don’t want your chicken to be battered, then the chicken skin needs to be kept intact while frying so that it can become crunchy later on.
Fried chicken can be made from any cut of chicken, from whole drumsticks, whole chicken wings, to small pieces of boneless skinless chicken breasts.
The dish is traditionally served with French fries, mashed potatoes, or coleslaw, and can be found in any fast-food restaurant in the world.
What are the differences between rotisserie chicken vs fried chicken?
Now you know that there are many differences when it comes to comparing rotisserie chicken and fried chicken.
To sum up these distinctive features of each chicken dish, the comparison table below will clearly point out how rotisserie chicken differs from fried chicken by placing them side by side:
| Comparison | Rotisserie chicken | Fried chicken |
| Origin | Unknown, but believed to be in Europe (France or Germany) | Southern America |
| Cut | Usually the entire chicken | Any cut of chicken (thighs, drumsticks, wings, breasts), more popular small pieces of chicken breasts |
| Cooking method | Chicken is marinated and skewered on a spit then slowly roasted over an open fire | Chicken is marinated, battered (optional), and deep-fried in hot oil |
| Texture | Drier outside, the skin is not likely to be really crispy, but the meat is more succulent and juicy | Crispy crust and juicy meat inside, but greasier |
| Taste | Smoky, earthy, and very flavorful | Fatty but also flavorful |
| Cooking time | Usually longer because the whole chicken needs to be fully cooked over low heat | Shorter as only a small cut of chicken is directly fried in hot oil |
| Use | As a hearty meal for the whole family with a lot of side dishes | Can be served as a snack for individual serving size |
| Place to cook | Usually requires large spaces like backyards, camping areas,… | Can be easily done in a small kitchen with a conventional stovetop and a skillet |
| Health concern | Healthier because there is no fat added and the fat from the chicken will drop out while roasting | Less healthy because of the high levels of fat and cholesterol which might pose a risk to your heart health |
What are the similarities between rotisserie chicken vs fried chicken?
So it seems that rotisserie chicken is very different from fried chicken.
However, they do share some similarities, check out below:
1. Rotisserie chicken and fried chicken can be made at home or bought premade
If you have time, you can make these dishes at home without any fuss.
However, the good news for people who are too busy or don’t have the mood to cook is that rotisserie chicken and fried chicken can easily be bought out there, from a grocery store or fast-food restaurant.
2. Two dishes are very delicious
We have to admit that both dishes are very delicious in their own ways.
Although fried chicken might be a bit fatty, if you drain the chicken pieces for a few minutes before serving, you can have crispy chicken with juicy and succulent meat inside all the time.
Which one is better?
| Product Comparison | Whole Foods Market Plain Rotisserie Chicken (Cold) | Hungry-Man Selects Classic Fried Chicken, 16 Oz |
| Product Image |  |  |
| Latest Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
In conclusion, rotisserie chicken is a better alternative to fried chicken.
And on top of being healthier than the traditional fried counterpart, there are also more flavors and varieties for people who don’t want just plain old BBQ or spicy buffalo sauce type flavor.
So if you’re looking for something new in your life but still crave some good ol’ crispy-fried goodness every now and then, go ahead and give rotisserie chicken a try.
But don’t forget to have some crispy fried chicken occasionally with French fries and coke, it will be a good treat on rainy days.
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