Is Rotisserie Chicken Healthy Or Not?

I’m willing to bet you’ve probably eaten a dinner that looks something like this at least once or twice in your life: a piece of rotisserie chicken accompanied by a side of peas and mashed potatoes. Am I right? (If not, congratulations on your exotic eating habits!)

Rotisserie chicken is so popular, in fact, that each year, Costco sells 60 million of them alone, according to Fortune. But is the classic dinner choice actually good for you—or should you swap it with something else?

Good news: Rotisserie chicken is actually pretty healthy.
According to Abby Sauer, RD at Abbott, rotisserie chicken is super high in protein, which is “an essential nutrient used to build cells, tissues, muscles, bones, and organs, and is a key factor when it comes to developing healthy eating habits,” she says.

Aiming for 25 to 30 grams of protein at each meal (which is the equivalent of a four-ounce serving of rotisserie chicken), is a great way to keep your hanger at bay and support muscle growth, she adds. And it’s not all about the protein, rotisserie chicken also contains trace amounts of iron, calcium, and vitamin A.

Here’s a complete nutritional breakdown of rotisserie chicken, per skin-less thigh, according to the USDA:

Calories: 183

Fat: 10 g

Saturated Fat: 3 g

Carbohydrates: 0 g

Fiber: 0 g

Sugar: 0 g

Protein: 23 g

Sodium: 318 mg

But there are some downsides.

Rotisserie chicken itself isn’t the problem, since it’s loaded with high-quality protein and important minerals. But depending on how it’s seasoned, the chicken may be incredibly high in sodium. “Sodium is a critical electrolyte that, along with potassium and chloride, helps to deliver water t

o your body’s cells,” says Sauer. “But too much sodium in your diet can be unhealthy.” To minimize potential sodium, opt for an unseasoned version, if available.

Source: Women health mag