What could be easier than picking up a rotisserie chicken for dinner? But if you’re eating gluten-free, it’s important to know if that chicken might be hiding traces of gluten. Check out this post for all the info!
Succulent, savory rotisserie chicken is delicious on its own (hello, easy dinner!) or cut up for use in all kinds of soups, casseroles, and sandwiches. Yet, when you’re following a gluten-free diet, it’s important to ask: Is rotisserie chicken gluten-free?
Short answer: Rotisserie chicken is USUALLY gluten-free! However, rotisserie chicken is typically prepared with a mix of spices and seasonings- it’s important to know if there is any gluten in the mix. In addition, rotisserie chicken is sometimes prepared in a kitchen where cross-contamination with gluten ingredients takes place.
Let’s take a closer look at supermarket rotisserie chickens, and examine some of the most popular places to pick them up to see if these tasty birds are truly gluten-free.
Is Rotisserie Chicken Gluten Free?
Rotisserie chicken is often gluten-free, but there are a few factors to consider. First, what flavorings and rubs have been added to the chicken before roasting? Some places may use wheat on the skin for a crispier chicken, or flavor with gluten-containing ingredients such as soy sauce. If the chicken is not specifically labeled gluten-free, check the ingredient lists.
Second, is there risk of cross-contact with gluten ingredients in the kitchen where the chicken is prepared? If the rotisserie chicken shares equipment with gluten-containing dishes, it will pick up trace amounts of gluten in the process.
To be safe, go for rotisserie chicken that is labeled gluten-free. This indicates that neither gluten ingredients nor cross-contamination will be an issue.
What Is Rotisserie Chicken?
Rotisserie chicken is made by oven-roasting a whole chicken, with the skin on, as it rotates on a spit. The result is juicy chicken with a crisp, browned skin, which has been cooked evenly.
Store-bought rotisserie chicken is healthier than fried chicken, and more likely to be gluten-free. While fried chicken is usually breaded with a wheat-based mixture, rotisserie chicken is typically seasoned with salt, spices and herbs. The exact seasonings vary by location, so if you have celiac disease, wheat allergy, or non-celiac gluten intolerance, it will be necessary to find out the recipe used at the location where you are doing your shopping. (Of course, if your chicken is labeled gluten-free, you’re good to go!)
Be sure to check out these articles on Starbucks gluten-free, Panera gluten-free, Wendy’s gluten-free, Chipotle gluten-free, Jersey Mike’s gluten-free and Chick Fil-A gluten-free.
Is Costco Rotisserie Chicken Gluten Free?
Costco rotisserie chicken is a club shopping institution: Big, juicy birds with perfectly browned skin and a price so low it’s hard to pass up. But is it gluten-free?
Good news! The nutrition label on every one of Costco’s Kirkland Signature rotisserie chickens proclaims, “No preservatives, MSG, gluten, artificial flavors or colors.” With a label like that, we can rest assured that Costco chicken is not coming in contact with cross-contaminants.
So we know wheat has not been added to Costco’s rotisserie chicken, but what has been added to these savory birds? Costco’s rotisserie chicken seasoning blend contains the following:
- Salt
- Sodium phosphate
- Modified food starch (potato, tapioca)
- Potato dextrin
- Carrageenan
- Sugar
- Dextrose
- Spice extractives
Is Walmart Rotisserie Chicken Gluten Free?
Here’s what you’ll find in a Walmart traditional rotisserie chicken:
- Chicken without neck and giblets
- Water
- Sea salt
- Seasoning (dried chicken broth, natural flavor (rosemary extract), carrageenan)
- Rubbed with: spices, garlic powder, salt, dehydrated lemon peel, citric acid, corn starch, dehydrated parsley, natural flavors
So, is Walmart chicken gluten-free? Not necessarily. Although Walmart chicken does not name wheat in its list of ingredients, it does list some non-specified “natural flavors.” Even if those natural flavors are free from gluten, the lack of a gluten-free label could mean that Walmart chicken is at risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen. For anyone eating strictly gluten-free, Walmart rotisserie chicken doesn’t quite fit the bill. Be on the safe side and pick up a chicken from Costco or Sam’s Club that is assuredly gluten-free.
Is Publix Rotisserie Chicken Gluten Free?
Publix rotisserie chicken is not considered gluten-free. Publix chicken is seasoned with these ingredients:
- Chicken Flavor (Corn Starch, Natural flavors, Chicken Broth, Xanthan Gum, Gumarabic, Guar Gum)
- Salt
- Sugar
- Spices
While none of these ingredients explicitly contains gluten, the Publix website is very clear that their rotisserie chicken should not be assumed gluten-free. “Our department uses the following ingredients in our products: eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soybeans, tree nuts, wheat, sesame. Even if not listed on labels, please be aware that our products may have come in contact with these ingredients.”
Because Publix kitchens use shared equipment to prepare foods containing allergens as well as those that do not, even foods like rotisserie chicken could contain small amounts of gluten.
Is Kroger Rotisserie Chicken Gluten Free?
Simple Truth Hot Whole Roasted Chicken from Kroger grocery stores is indeed gluten-free! This chicken is roasted rotisserie-style using only water and sea salt. It’s about as plain and simple as you can get, and because the Kroger website states that this rotisserie chicken is gluten-free, we don’t need to wonder about cross-contact with gluten behind the scenes.
Is Sam’s Club Rotisserie Chicken Gluten Free?
Member’s Mark rotisserie chicken– sold exclusively in Sam’s Club warehouses- is clearly labeled gluten-free. This means that it meets the FDA requirement of less than 20 parts per million of gluten, and it’s safe to eat if you have celiac disease.
The extra large rotisserie chickens sold at Sam’s contain the following ingredients:
- Water
- Sodium phosphates
- Seasoning (salt, yeast extract, natural flavors, chicken fat, chicken broth)
- Spice rub (yellow corn flour, salt, spices)
- Yellow corn flour
- Paprika (for color)
- Garlic powder
- Sugar
- Citric acid
- Onion powder
- Paprika oleoresin (for color)
- Natural flavors
While “yeast extract” and “natural flavors” could be sources of hidden gluten, we can assume they’re celiac safe in this product, because it is labeled gluten-free.
You also might like these articles on is chicken broth gluten-free, are oats gluten-free, are grits gluten-free, is brown rice gluten-free and are french fries gluten-free.
FAQs
Roast chicken is often gluten-free, but it’s important to check ingredients to make sure that the seasoning used does not include gluten. In addition, cross-contamination can be an issue if the chicken is prepared in a space that also handles gluten-containing items.
To be on the safe side, always opt for roast chicken that is labeled gluten-free.
Target’s Good & Gather Oven Roasted Rotisserie Chicken appears to be gluten-free rotisserie chicken. Although it is not specifically labeled as such, the product information on the website does state, “Does not contain any of the 9 major allergens,” which would include wheat.
Target’s chicken is prepared with a solution of water, vinegar, and salt. It’s rubbed with salt, brown sugar, spices, dehydrated onion, chicken broth, natural flavor, molasses, paprika, maltodextrin, and natural smoke flavor.
Multiple grocery store chains state that Deli Fresh Rotisserie Chicken from Oscar Mayer is, in fact, gluten-free!
Oscar Mayer’s rotisserie chicken packaging does not carry a gluten-free statement, but it does not list any obvious sources of gluten in its ingredients, nor does it list any allergens.
Celiacs can eat rotisserie chicken without a problem if it is verified to be gluten-free. Look for a gluten-free label on the rotisserie chicken; if it is not present, read ingredients to search for added gluten, and ask the kitchen staff if the chicken is prepared in a space shared with gluten ingredients.
Rotisserie chicken from Costco, Sam’s Club, and Kroger stores is gluten-free and celiac-safe as of this writing.
Yes, EverRoast oven roasted chicken breast from Boar’s Head is gluten-free. (And milk-free as well! ) EverRoast chicken is prepared with “a traditional mirepoix of carrots, celery, onions and a medley of spices.”
The Bottom Line
Rotisserie chicken is convenient, delicious, and often gluten-free. However, it’s important to read ingredient labels! Some kitchens may add wheat flour or bread crumbs to their chicken skin for extra crispiness, or include gluten ingredients such as soy sauce in the flavoring.
Also be on the watch for cross-contamination. Shared equipment can mean unintentional cross-contact with gluten.
Your best bet is always a rotisserie chicken that is labeled gluten-free, such as those sold at Costco, Sam’s Club, and Kroger stores.
When you’re ready to put that rotisserie chicken to use, try out our recipes for gluten-free gravy, dairy-free buffalo chicken dip, gluten-free chicken pot pie, bbq nachos and dairy-free chicken rice casserole. You also might like this collection of gluten-free chicken recipes.
