Whole Foods' Rotisserie Chicken Isn't Worth Your Money - Even With A Prime Discount - Tasting Table

"During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, rotisserie chicken was one of the hottest commodities at grocery stores across the country. They were selling out everywhere and the demand continues. With a Prime discount, a plain rotisserie chicken at Whole Foods cost only $5.99. With whole, raw chickens at Whole Foods costing about $3 per pound this might sound like a good deal. But these bland, unseasoned birds are probably not what you want"

"Whole Foods sells more than one kind of rotisserie chicken. It offers a classic rotisserie chicken that is fully seasoned. However, its plain rotisserie chicken is exactly what it claims to be: plain. It's not seasoned at all. The sodium listed on the label comes entirely from the chicken itself, with nothing added. You can see how this would be a problem for most people who would expect at least some salt on their chicken."

"Unseasoned food, especially rotisserie chicken, can be incredibly bland. This seems to be intentional, however. Many people on sodium-reduced diets praise Whole Foods' plain rotisserie chicken in online forums. Since their dietary restrictions mean they can't eat added salt, a ready-to-eat chicken with none included is a rare convenience. So while this chicken won't appeal to everyone, and no one's denying that it lacks flavor, it does have a purpose."

Rotisserie chicken demand surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, with plain rotisserie chickens at Whole Foods priced as low as $5.99 with Prime discounts while whole raw chickens cost about $3 per pound. Whole Foods offers both a fully seasoned classic rotisserie and a plain rotisserie that contains no added seasoning; sodium on the label comes solely from the chicken itself. The plain option is valued by people on sodium-reduced diets because it provides a ready-to-eat option without added salt. Research indicates consumers view rotisserie chickens as healthy, convenient, filling, and often a better value than cooking at home. Standard oven sizing keeps rotisserie chickens smaller to fit equipment.

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