Costco's famous rotisserie chicken has long been hailed as the ultimate bargain. For a mere $4.99, Costco members can indulge in a fully-cooked, whole bird that's perfect for various culinary endeavors—whether it's meal prepping, quick dinners, or even indulging in a guilty pleasure while sitting in the Costco parking lot.
Similar to their widely beloved food court hotdogs, Costco remains steadfast in its commitment to keeping these roasted chickens astonishingly affordable. In fact, back in 2015, Costco's chief financial officer Richard Galanti mentioned that the company was willing to forgo "$30 million, $40 million a year on gross margin by keeping it at $4.99," as reported by CNN.
While these chickens earn high praise for their price and convenience, preparing them for consumption isn't always a walk in the park. If you've ever purchased a rotisserie chicken from Costco or any other store, you're likely familiar with the laborious and messy process of extracting every morsel of meat from the bird.
Thankfully, the internet is teeming with tips and tricks on how to efficiently strip rotisserie chickens, but one viral tutorial stands out—a tutorial shared by an actual Costco employee. In an Instagram video garnering nearly 60,000 likes, posted by creator @abountifulkitchen, the employee demonstrates how to effortlessly break down a chicken in a matter of seconds. Adding a touch of humor, the background music features the lively "Chicken Dance" song.
However, a word of caution: If you decide to follow this expert method, prepare to get your hands a little messy, although the results are undeniably worthwhile. Here's a breakdown of the technique:
- Remove the ties from the legs, then slide your thumbs between the thighs and breast meat, "popping" the bones out of their sockets to separate the thighs from the chicken.
- Peel back the remaining skin, slide your thumbs up the breastbone, and use your hands to separate the breasts from the chicken. Exercise caution during this step, as the Costco worker advises watching out for a few small bones. At this stage, most of the chicken will be bare, allowing you to easily pick off any remaining pieces of poultry with your fingers.
Once you've successfully liberated all the meat from the bones, you can enjoy it as is or repurpose it for a multitude of delectable dishes. For a comforting yet low-calorie treat, consider trying our recipe for a healthier chicken pot pie that specifically calls for pre-cooked chicken. Alternatively, for a lighter option this summer, substitute grilled chicken with succulent rotisserie chicken shreds in our simple yet protein-rich chicken and avocado salad.
Costco's rotisserie chicken has always been a phenomenal deal, and now, thanks to the clever technique shared by their very own employee, savoring every bit of its scrumptious meat has become an even more enjoyable endeavor.