Before You Toss Your Rotisserie Chicken Container, Don't Forget To Save This Flavor-Boosting Ingredient

A store-bought rotisserie chicken can be a wonderfully versatile dish, perfect on its own or as a delicious part of more complex meals. But before you discard the plastic bag or box it came in, make sure you save the juices inside. You may think it's just condensation from the hot chicken, but it can actually be the foundation for a flavorful dish.

Since rotisserie chicken is essentially roasted chicken that rotates on a spit for more even cooking, the juices from a rotisserie chicken can be used in the same way as roast chicken pan drippings. For instance, recipes often call for drippings to be turned into a simple sauce to drizzle on top of the chicken. You can do the same with rotisserie container juices; simmer it over low heat with some oil or butter and aromatics like shallots and garlic.



For a thicker sauce, you can add flour or cornstarch as well. Beyond a simple sauce, these container juices can be used to make vinaigrettes, boost chicken stock, and even lend their savory flavor to vegetables. Remember that this liquid is already salty in all uses, so consider adjusting your recipe.

Making the most of rotisserie chicken juices Much like pan drippings are the secret to an unbeatable salad dressing , the liquid from a rotisserie chicken container can be used to make a vinaigrette. Whisk it with vinegar, oil, and other desired ingredients, such as diced shallots or Dijon mustard. You may know that one of the ways to squeeze extra meals out of a rotisserie chicken is to use the bones for homemade chicken stock.

But you can also add those container juices to your stock during cooking for even more flavor. This extra-flavorful rotisserie chicken stock can be used for a variety of dishes, including soup, rice, risotto, and more. There are lots of clever ways to take rotisserie chicken to the next level , like making a smoky chicken salad.

And perhaps the simplest way to enjoy the savory container liquid is to roast vegetables with it. If you made the rotisserie chicken yourself, you might put vegetables underneath to soak up the juices while cooking. Similarly, you can toss mixed vegetables in the liquid and roast them for a savory flavor boost.

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