It is SO easy to make Homemade Rotisserie Chicken right in your own oven! Skip the preservatives and additives found in store-bought and make your own oven roasted rotisserie chicken with only 5 minutes of work!! You end up with a juicy, tender chicken that stands on its own or is perfect to use in any dish that calls for cooked chicken.
This Rotisserie Chicken Recipe is perfect for Sunday Dinner but is also great to use for any dishes like Cheesy Chicken and Rice, Chicken Pot Pie, and Chicken Salad or any recipes using leftover Rotisserie Chicken.
This post may contain affiliate links, for full disclosure policy, please see privacy policy.
Who loves Rotisserie Chicken?
ME! ME!! And my whole family!
The problem? Take a look at the list of ingredients and you will be disgusted. MSG, corn syrup solids, carrageenan, hydrogenated oils, and on and on!
But leftover Rotisserie Chicken is so tasty, juicy, convenient, and star in so many fabulous dishes–hello Chicken Enchiladas, Creamy Parmesan Rotini with chicken, and Creamy, Cheesy Chicken and Rice!
That’s why a delicious Oven Rotisserie Chicken is just the recipe you need to keep in your arsenal.
Homemade Rotisserie Chicken Recipe
You can make a rotisserie chicken in the oven with only 5 minutes of prep and you will never be tempted to buy a store-bought Chicken Rotisserie again.
The best part you don’t even need anything fancy–just your oven, a few dried spices, and a fresh chicken.
How do you make Homemade Rotisserie Chicken?
Step One: Make DIY Rotisserie Chicken Spice Rub
- Mix together salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme leaves, and a dash of cayenne.
Step Two: Season Chicken
- Clean out the cavity of the chicken and pat dry.
- Brush the chicken evenly with oil or melted butter.
- Sprinkle the spices generously over the chicken.
- Rub the spices in–but if that grosses you out, just sprinkle them on liberally.
- Brush off excess spices.
Step Three: Oven Roast Rotisserie Chicken
- Pour 1 cup of water into the roasting pan and then fit a roasting rack over the pan.
- Place the seasoned chicken breast-side down on the roasting rack. All the drippings will help to season the chicken breasts and keep them super flavorful.
- The secret to success when making your own Rotisserie Chicken is to roast the chicken low and slow.
- Place in a 300 degree oven for 2 hours to 3 hours (depends on size of chicken) or until meat thermometer inserted into thigh reads 160-163 degrees.
Step Four: Rest the Chicken
- Tent the chicken with foil and let rest for 20 minutes. This allows the meat to reach 165 degrees and juices have redistributed through chicken.
Tips on Oven Roasted Homemade Rotisserie Chicken
- Be sure to use a digital thermometer inserted into the Chicken thigh to ensure proper cooking. Both an under cooked and overcooked Roasted Chicken, is NOT a good thing. A digital thermometer will be a great investment for perfectly cooked chicken, beef, and pork!
- Multi-task and plan ahead and make more than one Rotisserie Chicken at a time. Extra Chicken Meat is a great thing to have on hand to make dishes like Creamy Chicken and Rice, Amish Chicken, Tex-Mex Chicken Casserole, or Healthy Chicken Salad.
- Save the bones from your Oven Roasted chicken to make Homemade Chicken Stock.
- If you have an Instant Pot, check out how to make Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken.
How long is is safe to keep cooked chicken in refrigerator?
Raise your hand if you have called your mom more than one time to find out the answer to this? Or maybe you have googled it every time you have leftover chicken in the house?
The answers for how long you can keep chicken in the fridge for vary, but in my book I prefer 4 days. I think that more than one person will tell you from experience, a week is just fine.
However, to err on the side of caution, I follow the following advice when it comes to how long I keep chicken after cooking the refrigerator.
Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Recipes
- Creamy Parmesan Chicken Casserole
- Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas
- One Pot Healthy Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole
- Chicken Fajita Pizza
Oven Roasted Rotisserie Chicken
Ingredients
- 3-4 pound chicken gizzards removed (I used a 3 pound organic chicken)
- 2 tablespoons canola oil or melted butter
- For the rub:
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- dash of cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- Combine ingredients for the dry rub.
- Brush the chicken with oil or butter and rub the dry rub into the chicken.
- Pour in 1 cup water into bottom of roasting pan. Add rack to roasting pan. Place whole chicken, breast side down on rack in roasting pan.
- Bake until thermometer inserted into thigh reads 160 degrees--about 2 1/2 hours.
- Cover and let rest 10-20 minutes , until chicken reaches 165 degrees and juices have redistributed. Serve or save meat to shred for dishes that call for cooked chicken.
Notes
Kristen Chidsey
Latest posts by Kristen Chidsey (see all)
- Homemade Whole Wheat Rolls - November 12, 2019
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes - November 10, 2019
- Instant Pot Chili - November 9, 2019
Hi! Tried this and my kids said it was good. I am a bit confused tho about the temp. Is this in F or C?
It is farenheit! I am glad your kids enjoyed.
This looks so yummy… Thanks for sharing – I am planning on trying this tomorrow. I have a 5.5 lb. whole chicken – would it still bake for 3 hours on 300?
Hi Kathy! I rely on a digital thermometer to ensure I don’t overcook the chicken. I would start checking after 2 1/2 hours of cook time, but plan on 3 hours. Enjoy!
Thanks so much for replying… cooking it this afternoon!
This is the best home roast chicken recipe I have ever tasted! Great in the oven as well as the instant pot
Thank you so much Wendy! I love hearing how much you enjoyed!
Kristen, this sounds Great!! My oven is broken. Any ideas?? !
So sorry about your oven. If you have an instant pot, my recipe for Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken is delicious. You can also cook on low in your slow cooker for 6-8 hours or until the temperature reaches 165 degrees.
This was great! Just as good or better than store bought. Make sure you check the temperature before taking out of oven. I didn’t because it looked done after 2 hours. But just put it back in and finished it off.
I am so glad you enjoyed Jerry! AMD yes, always best to check temperature. Chicken can appear done and not be.
My family LOVES this chicken! It was sssooooo tender and juicy I have never had anything close to it before! Making it again today and using leftovers for dumplings tomorrow! The whole family is excited 😂
I am so happy to hear how much you enjoyed this Chicken Recipe Samantha! Enjoy tonight and the chicken and dumplings tomorrow!
SOOOO THE CHICKEN DOES NOT TOUCH THE WATER????
That is correct Becky! The rack should raise the chicken enough it will not touch the water.
Love this! I use rotisserie chicken all the time!
Makes meals SO easy! I am so glad you enjoy this homemade rotisserie chicken!
Perfectly crispy and moist! Will be adding this to our dinner rotation regularly.
YAY!! Love that you all enjoyed!
Easiest roasted chicken I have ever made! Delicious and Moist! My new favorite chicken recipe.
I am so glad you enjoyed this so much! Thank you for taking the time to let us all know 🙂
My husband LOVED this chicken. I did a 5 pound bird! I put onion and garlic in the cavity for more meat flavor and I’m making it again tonight to use in a Chicken Pie recipe with my ESL class tomorrow! This is a great find. Thank you for sharing.
Oh so happy to hear how much you enjoyed
I made six of these rotisserie chickens in two ovens for a family gathering. I used 5 lb chickens from Sam’s Club. The recipe was simple to follow and I had all of the ingredients on hand.
The entire family agreed that the chicken was the best they have had. It is much better freshly baked and served than purchasing one at the store that has been sitting there for hours. The seasoning was delightful, not over bearing. It was melt in your mouth deliciousness.
I highly recommend that you give this recipe a try!
Oh thank you for sharing your love of this recipe Sandra. I am so glad that your entire family enjoyed! This made my day!
Hi Kristen, just tried this recipe tonight and it came out great! The only thing the breast on the bottom did not crisp up, is this suppose to crisp up, or can this chicken be roasted breast up? Thank you. Ann
Hi Ann, first of all I am so glad you enjoyed this chicken 🙂 If you would like your chicken breast to brown, you can roast skin side up–by roasting upside down the fat and juice help to keep the chicken breasts juicy and flavorful though.
Hi, I bought a whole cut up chicken. Does it still need the full 2 1/2 hours? I set it on a roasting pan that has slits, and then drippings are caught in the lower pan, but completely forgot water! (I’m giving the recipe 5 stars even though I didn’t finish making it!)
Hi Beth! Since you are just using the pieces of a chicken, I would check the temperature after 1 hour and 30 minutes. You want it to reach 165 degrees, but you will need a lot less time than the full 2 1/2 hours. I hope you enjoy!
Hello! I just started your IP chicken and am now off to make your Homemade Oven Rotisserie Chicken. I think your nutrition infor must be wrong! There is no way that this has 21g of fat!
Hi Brianna! I hope you enjoy both chicken 🙂 Unfortunately, it is hard to get the nutrition facts accurate. A 4 ounces of chicken with skin is about 11 grams of fat. Sorry about that! My nutrition calculator was not accounting for bones I believe.
Kristen, this looks delicious, want to try this weekend for the family. After reading some of these comments, just wanted to confirm – cook breast down, directly on rack, and don’t turn during the 2-3 hours? Also, don’t put in pan, but place pan beneath with chicken stock in it?
Hi Kevin, I am going to update to be sure directions are clear. The BEST method is to roast chicken, breast side down, on rack over larger roasting pan (that has 1 cup of water in it). Or you can just place chicken on baking sheet–this time I would cook breast side up, so meat does not stick to bottom of baking pan, just add rub and roast. (No water needed). Sorry for the confusion.
Fantastic chicken! I did as you recommended and it turned out perfect. Flavorful and very moist. Thank you!!
Wonderful Kevin! Thanks for letting me know .
This was perfect! Only sub was an herb blend instead of thyme, as my husband and I aren’t big fans of it. Otherwise followed the recipe exactly and our chicken came out incredible! Our company was very impressed. Highly recommend!
YAY!!! I am so glad you enjoyed so much Joce <3
Sooo I was ready to do this IP version and yep-my chicken didn’t fit 🤣 oven here I come!!
I have been there myself. It is helpful to have both recipes. Enjoy your chicken.
Have you made this with only breasts. If so, how long do you cook it for.
Hi Lucia! Here are my instructions for IP Chicken Breasts. I would use the homemade seasoning and then cook according to these directions (still place chicken on rack and use water or stock underneath chicken). However, if you are cooking Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Breasts, you would need to cook for 4-5 minutes more per pound. Hope that helps. Enjoy!
This was so delicious. My oldest son is legit on his 6th or 7th serving. I followed the instructions exactly as you wrote them, and it was great! My crew is happy tonight! And I feel like a boss.
WAHOO!!!! I absolute LOVE hearing this! It is my goal to make you shine–so get em girl! Love hearing your family was pleased. Hope you find more recipes to wow everyone here 🙂
Can I use minced garlic for this recipe?
Hi Marea! This is one of those times where dry garlic powder is superior to minced garlic. The minced garlic would burn on the skin of the chicken–since this is a dry rub. If you don’t have garlic powder, just omit it from this recipe.
Ooo! I wish I could share the picture of the rotisserie chickeni made this afternoon!! So golden and crispy. 🤤 I’m having knee surgery this Thursday so I figured today was as good a day as any to do some meal prep for this week. I had 3 chickens and one went in the instant pot, the other 2 went side by side in my roasting pan for 2+ hours. I can’t wait to use the shredded meat in some of the recipes you shared!
YAY!! Thanks Erika! These roasted chickens are quite pretty, aren’t they?! Enjoy the meals too <3
It was amazing.oven roasted rotisserie chicken is honestly one of my favouritest things in the whole entire world and I honestly did know it could be make like this.. I thought it was just.
Thank you!
Do you like to roast your bird Breast side down for most of the cooking time, then turn the bird over for 30 mins? Usually the white meat will be moist with golden brown skin.
I do this for my turkey every Thanksgiving????
You better believe it! That is the best way to roast any bird.
Looks great! Do you cook the chicken in a roasting pan with or without a lid?
Thanks Chris–without a lid so the skin can crisp up!
Great thanks! I’m making tonight 🙂 in the picture above you show roasted vegetables, would you put them in at the same time or 1/2 way through?
Yay!! Well if you cut your veggies in large chunks–like 2-3 inches or want to serve whole potoates, throw in at same time since this is roasted low and slow. If you like your veggies to be more crisp tender, put in at the half way mark.
I made this last night for dinner. We loved it. I made 2 chickens, I’m glad I did so that I had more leftovers. I thought there was a lot of rub but it was awesome. Thank you for an awesome recipe
Linda, this makes me so happy! I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Was going to attempt Ina Garten’s roast chicken recipe, but I don’t have fresh thyme here in December. So I’ll be making yours – I have everything on hand already and it looks so easy!
Enjoy Kristen. This is super easy.
This looks delicious! Doing multiple chickens at once is a great idea, too. Thank you! (And I love it that you roast your chicken breast down, which is what I do with turkeys to keep the meat moist.)
Thanks Leigh! I love to cook as much at one time as possible 🙂
I love rotisserie chicken and this sounds so easy! Would love to have you share on the “What’s for Dinner” link party –
http://www.lazygastronome.com/1622-2/
Thank you so much Helen! And yes this recipe is easy!
Thanks for sharing on the “Whats for Dinner” linky party!
I love this recipe! I just love the flavor of rotisserie chicken, but like you, want to control what we eat.
Then this is just for you Julie!
Rotisserie chicken is one of our go-to meals every week. I really should make them myself, because your recipe is so simple and looks delicious! I love all of the wonderful recipes you can make using a roasted chicken, too!
I hope you do give this a try–it is really easy Ashlyn!
I love a roasted chicken as an easy weekend dinner. Thanks for sharing this method!
You bet Morgan!
I do occasionally buy a rotisserie chicken here and there, but usually we roast our own. It’s actually my husband’s job most of the time! He makes a great roasted chicken. I will share your recipe with him too!
Lucky lady 🙂
I admittedly LOVE store bought rotisserie chicken! That said, I do buy the organic one and spend way more money than if I just made my own. The convenience can’t be beat sometimes but for all those other times, I need to try this out!
I hope you do this when you have planned ahead. Otherwise, you are lucky to find organic ones–the only time I have ever seen that was over an hour from my house!
This chicken looks so moist and delicious. Love it!
It is so moist–totally a winner!
This chicken is perfection! Can’t wait to try it!!
I hope you LOVE it!
I’m ashamed to admit that I have never roasted a whole chicken before! I rely way too heavily on store bought rotisserie chickens. It’s time I give it a try. Thanks for the push. 🙂
Well, time to try your own!! I am happy to inspire you:)
Wow does this look great! I love roast chicken for dinner and I love making chicken soup and chicken salad with the leftovers! Delicious!
Cathy
This is just perfect for you then!
We have roast chicken fairly regularly but I’ve never tried the low and slow way, must give it a try! And like the seasoning.
Oh yes, try the low and slow–it produces such a different flavor!
We LOVE rotisserie chicken! Who would’ve thought you could do it at home. yum!
You sure can Des, and easier than you would guess too!
I cannot wait to try this! We eat rotisserie chicken a lot. I’ve never made it myself but I love the taste. And you can use it for so many things. I shop at Aldis a lot and they have whole chickens for just $5 so I have not reason not to make my own. I’m going to try this on the weekend.
You must try Denise! And ALDI is the best!
Great post Kristen. Low and slow. I think I got it! 🙂 Your chicken looks fabulous and I’m thrilled to skip all the unpronounceable ingredients. THANK YOU!
Low and slow is key.
This sounds so savory, I am going to need to try this!
I hope that you do