Injected with saline, sodium phosphate & carrageenan solution; moderate-high sodium.
Protein
1 piece • Total edible mass: 175g • Store: Costco (Kirkland Signature)
💡 Logging note: Discarding container juices and removing skin typically lowers logged sodium by 25% to 35% for that portion.
How this portion (~175g) would rank in sodium across major US grocery chains:
| Store / Brand | Estimated Sodium | % Daily Value | Sodium Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶Costco (Kirkland Signature) | 780 mg | 34% | Moderate |
| Sam's Club (Member's Mark) | 936 mg | 41% | Elevated |
| Walmart (Fresh / Great Value) | 1196 mg | 52% | Very Elevated |
| Kroger / Ralphs / Fred Meyer | 754 mg | 33% | Moderate |
| Safeway / Albertsons | 650 mg | 28% | Moderate |
| Whole Foods Market (Plain / Organic) | 507 mg | 22% | Low |
| Homemade / Unseasoned Roasted | 130 mg | 6% | Low |
| Generic Supermarket Average | 767 mg | 33% | Moderate |
Informational & journaling tool only — not medical advice
This calculator estimates USDA FoodData Central and published store-label values for personal food logging. It is not a substitute for professional guidance. We are not doctors and do not provide medical, diagnostic, or treatment advice.
Store-Bought Rotisserie Chicken: Portion & Label Data
Log calories, protein, fat, and sodium from ready-to-eat rotisserie chicken using USDA FoodData Central entries and published retailer nutrition labels. Commercial birds are often saline-injected and spit-roasted, which changes sodium per 100g compared with plain home-roasted poultry.
Sodium by Retailer (per 3 oz / 85g serving)
Values from retailer nutrition disclosures — for comparison when logging sodium in your food diary. FDA Daily Value for sodium on labels is 2,300mg.
| Store / Brand | Sodium (per 3 oz) | % Daily Value | Injected Solution | Sodium Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homemade Plain Roasted | 75 mg | 3% | 0% | Low |
| Whole Foods Market (Plain / Organic) | 300 mg | 13% | < 8% | Low |
| Safeway / Albertsons | 380 mg | 17% | 10–12% | Moderate |
| Kroger / Ralphs / Fred Meyer | 440 mg | 19% | 12–14% | Moderate |
| Costco (Kirkland Signature) | 460 mg | 20% | 12–15% | Moderate |
| Sam's Club (Member's Mark) | 550 mg | 24% | 15% | Elevated |
| Walmart (Fresh / Great Value) | 700 mg | 30% | 15–18% | Very elevated |
3 lb Rotisserie Bird: Edible Meat vs. Carcass Tare
A packaged ~3 lb bird does not yield 3 lbs of edible meat. After deboning, typical proportions:
Edible Meat (~800g)
Depends on skin-on vs. skinless logging
Carcass (~450g)
Ribcage, spine, femurs, wing joints
Skin (~110g)
Holds surface seasoning and brine residue
Skin-On vs. Skinless: Calorie & Sodium Differences
Rotisserie skin retains rendered fat and surface sodium. Log entries differ depending on whether you include or remove skin before weighing:
With Skin (whole bird edible)
- • ~1,450 kcal total
- • ~165g protein · ~78g fat
- • ~2,800–3,500mg sodium (store average)
Skinless (whole bird edible)
- • ~1,120 kcal total (~330 kcal less)
- • ~215g protein · ~28g fat
- • ~1,900–2,400mg sodium (~30% lower in labels)
White Meat vs. Dark Meat: USDA Nutrient Differences
Breast and wing meat are leaner per USDA data; thigh and drumstick contain more fat, iron, and zinc per 100g.
Commercial Saline Injection & Label Sodium
To keep birds moist under display heat lamps, many retailers inject a saltwater solution with phosphates and seasonings before roasting. This increases logged sodium compared with unseasoned home-roasted chicken — check your store's nutrition label for exact values.
Leftover Storage (USDA Food Safety Guidelines)
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of purchase (1 hour if ambient temperature exceeds 90°F / 32°C).
- Debone into shallow containers for faster cooling before refrigeration.
- Refrigerated cooked poultry: typically safe 3–4 days per USDA FSIS guidance.
- Reheat leftovers to 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories and protein are in a whole rotisserie chicken?
A standard ~3 lb store bird: ~1,450 kcal, ~165g protein, ~78g fat with skin. Skinless picked meat: ~1,120 kcal, ~215g protein, ~28g fat per USDA-based estimates.
Why does rotisserie chicken have more sodium than home-cooked?
Commercial birds are often injected with 12–15% saltwater solution with phosphates and seasonings, adding an estimated 300–600mg sodium per serving over plain roasted chicken.
Which store labels show the lowest sodium?
Published labels: Whole Foods ~300mg/3oz, Safeway ~380mg, Costco ~460mg, Sam's Club ~550mg, Walmart ~700mg per 3 oz — verify current labels at purchase.
Does removing skin change logged sodium?
Yes. Skin holds surface seasoning and concentrated brine residue. Removing skin typically lowers logged sodium by ~25–35% for that portion.
How much shredded meat from a 3 lb bird?
~750–850g edible shredded meat. Bones ~450g; skin ~110g.
Can I log shredded rotisserie chicken by weight?
Use By Weight mode: enter grams or ounces and select skinless, white-only, dark-only, or 60/40 blend.
What are the container juices at the bottom?
Rendered fat, gelatin, and dissolved brine. Including drippings adds calories and an estimated 300–500mg extra sodium per USDA-based estimates.
How much protein is in a skinless breast half?
One skinless rotisserie breast half logs ~52g protein, ~215 kcal, and ~5.5g fat per USDA rotisserie breast data — useful for portion journaling.
- USDA FoodData Central: Chicken, rotisserie, original seasoning, meat and skin (FDC #171477); rotisserie breast meat only (FDC #171116).
- Retailer nutrition labels: Costco Kirkland Signature, Walmart Great Value, and other published store disclosures.
- USDA FSIS: Safe storage and reheating guidance for cooked poultry.
- USDA Agriculture Handbook No. 102: Whole poultry yield and bone tare ratios.
Related Chicken Logging Tools
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