Recreating rotisserie chicken at home is entirely possible, and it can be done in your regular, conventional oven with this recipe for Baked Rotisserie Chicken. It only takes 10 minutes of your time to prepare a handful of super easy ingredients, and you’ll end up with the most tender, juicy chicken every time. Learn how to make this family friendly oven baked rotisserie chicken and create a delicious dinner without the grocery store trip.
Rotisserie chicken is one of the most versatile things you can buy. They’re always hot, always juicy and tender, and can be used as a short cut to make SO many other amazing, delicious recipes. Like our rotisserie chicken salad, Mexican chicken casserole, Buffalo Chicken Flatbread, baked chicken chimichangas, and our famous chicken and rice casserole!
Those store-bought birds use a special roasting technique, but did you know that it is 100% possible to create the flavor and texture of rotisserie chicken at home with just your conventional oven?
It is! I’ve made Rotisserie chicken in a slow cooker with wonderful results, and now I’ve developed this baked rotisserie chicken in the oven that is just a simple, SO EASY, and SO GOOD!
It’s a great way to have a whole, roasted chicken ready for the dinner table, perfect for a Sunday roast chicken dinner, or get one prepped for the dozens of other recipes for leftover Rotisserie chicken on my site.
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Super Fast Prep! – It only takes 10 minutes to get this ready for the oven. It doesn’t require lots of chopping, measuring, or any mess.
- Juicy, Tender Rotisserie Flavor – We may not have rotisserie ovens at home, but that doesn’t mean we can’t recreate the juiciness and flavors that we love from store bought chickens.
- Family Friendly – Roast chicken is a family classic for a reason. This recipe is like the best combination of home-roasted chicken but with the flavors kids and adults love about rotisserie-style ones. Be prepared for everyone to dig right in!
- Easy, Everyday Ingredients – There’s nothing complicated about any of the ingredients needed for this recipe. If you don’t already have them all at home, they’re easy to find at any grocery store.
- Tons of Uses! – There’s nothing wrong with serving up your chicken as is. It’s SO good! But it’s also fantastic to use to make tons of OTHER meals. Pasta bakes, casseroles, chicken salad, soup, or tacos are just a few of the ways you can use it!
What to Serve with Oven Baked Rotisserie Chicken
Since this dish has the classic flavors of rotisserie chicken, it will pair well with many of your favorite traditional side dishes. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Potatoes – Try my easy Instant Pot baked potatoes, delicious baked wedges, garlic smashed potatoes, or creamy mashed potatoes. Any form of potato is totally great with juicy, freshly baked rotisserie chicken.
- Green Salad – Fresh lettuce, toppings like tomatoes, radishes, onions, croutons, and cheese, and a dressing make a light, healthy side. Try my creamy Italian vinaigrette, tangy lemon dressing, homemade buttermilk ranch, or blue cheese dressing.
- Mixed Veggies – Whether you try my perfect mixed vegetable recipe or one of my variations like garlic (a family favorite!), pesto, or Cajun, it’s a great way to have a yummy but healthy addition to the dinner table.
- Maple Glazed Carrots – perfect for the holidays, but also great as a weeknight side
- Cold Salads – Make ahead chilled salads are a fantastic way to have a stress-free dinner. Try my broccoli cauliflower salad, bacon ranch broccoli, classic tomato cucumber, or easy rotini pasta salad.
- Bread – Classic options like garlic bread, a garlic cheese loaf, or pesto French bread are always a hit for my family!
- Corn – Fresh Crock Pot corn on the cob or casseroles like my Jiffy corn casserole and Crock Pot corn casserole are inexpensive and easy sides that can fill out the table with yummy flavor.
- Broccoli – Try garlic parmesan oven roasted broccoli or my irresistible brown butter broccoli for a green healthy side that your kids will actually like!
You can choose one or add a few sides to make a wholesome, well rounded dinner.
Recipe Notes
This baked rotisserie chicken recipe is as simple as promised! Just 10 minutes of prep for a family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use when making this recipe to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Chicken – I use about a 4 pound chicken for this recipe. You can choose whatever size chicken you like, just know that it will affect the overall baking time. Smaller ones may cook in less than 3 hours, while large ones can take the full 4 hours or more when cooked with low heat.
- Onions – You’ll need 1-2 onions total, enough to hold up the chicken by layering them in the pan beneath it. Use large varieties like white or yellow onions.
- Oil – Olive oil is my go-to when I make baked rotisserie chicken in the oven, but you can use any neutral flavored oil that you like. Grapeseed, canola, or vegetable are just a few good alternatives.
- Rotisserie Seasoning – The trick to getting the flavor of a rotisserie chicken in a conventional oven is the seasoning blend. I used a combination of salt, paprika, black pepper, dried thyme, plus both onion and garlic powder to create a blend reminiscent of classic rotisserie.
Recipe Step by Step
Remove the chicken from its packaging and discard the neck and/or gizzards. Rub the outside of the chicken all over with the olive oil.
Sprinkle the chicken all over with the seasoning and rub it in.
Stuff the cavity with onion and garlic and bake.
Let the chicken rest for 15-20 minutes, then serve.
Recipe Tips
- Use a high sided casserole – There will be a lot of liquid released during baking and the last thing any of us want is to have to clean our oven afterwards! Use a pan with high sides like a 9×13 casserole dish to prevent anything from spilling.
- Or choose a Bundt pan – Another option, especially for anyone who loves crispy chicken skin, is to use a Bundt pan to lift the chicken upright. Line interior of a Bundt pan with onions, then set it on a lined baking sheet. Slide the seasoned chicken upright onto the middle ring in the Bundt pan and then bake it as directed.
- Don’t rush it – The key to developing the classic flavor of rotisserie chicken in the oven is by sticking with low and slow. We use a much lower temp than you’ll see in many chicken recipes, but I urge you to try it at 275°F and let the oven do it’s job. It allows the chicken to be super tender, super flavorful, and super, super juicy!
- Use a meat thermometer – The enemy of that juicy, yummy chicken we’re after is overcooking it. I always recommend using a meat thermometer, which is easy to pick up at a grocery store or even online. It’s especially important and useful for recipes like this one. You need to take the internal temperature of the chicken so you can pull it from the oven at 165°F. Start checking at hour 3 then keep an eye on it so you don’t end up overcooking it.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Use a smaller chicken– I usually use a 4 lb. chicken, but you can certainly use a smaller one and reduce the baking time. Use your meat thermometer to make sure you know when it’s done. You can even do two smaller chickens side by side to get the same amount of meat faster!
- Pre-season and prep ahead– You can preseason the chicken and prep the onions earlier in the day. That takes the already quick prep time practically down to none. You can simply place it in the pan and then into the oven.
- Increase the oven temperature– I highly recommend a low and slow approach to oven rotisserie chicken, but you can bump it up to shorten the time it spends in the oven. If you choose to do this, it’s even more important that you keep an eye on the internal temperature so you don’t end up with dry, overcooked chicken. I’d recommend staying under a 325°F oven temperature.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Cajun Rotisserie Chicken– Swap out the seasonings for a Cajun seasoning blend and rub it into the chicken as directed. Then continue with the recipe.
- Italian Rotisserie Chicken– Use homemade Italian seasonings instead of the original combination to add a herbaceous flair. The rest of the recipe can be cooked as directed.
- Greek Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken– Substitute my Greek seasoning blend for my rotisserie seasoning. Add a lemon, cut into quarters, into the middle of the chicken to create delicious Mediterranean flavors.
Homemade Rotisserie Chicken Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making oven baked rotisserie chicken , then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole– This creamy casserole is quick to prep and makes the perfect comforting and family friendly dinner.
- Garlic Bread Chicken Caesar Salad– Spread a split loaf of French bread with softened or melted butter, garlic salt, and Italian seasonings. Bake in a 350°F for 8 minutes while you core and chop romaine lettuce and mix it with Caesar dressing, shredded leftover rotisserie chicken, and cheese. Place the filling on the toasted bread, then slice and serve.
- BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza– Split a loaf of French bread and coat with butter and a sprinkle of garlic salt. Place it in the oven for 8-10 minutes, then remove and spread 1 cup of BBQ sauce on both sides. Add 1/2 cup of shredded cheese over the top, then spread across shredded leftover chicken. Sprinkle with more cheese and sliced red onions. Bake until melted and hot, then serve with chopped cilantro sprinkled on top.
- Million Dollar Chicken Salad– Chop 3 green onions and add it to a large bowl with 3 cups of leftover chicken, 1 cup of shredded cheese, and 1 cup celery. Add 1/2 cup each of bacon, almonds, mayonnaise, and sour cream, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well and serve with crackers, bread, or in lettuce cups.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my chicken dinner recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Baked Chicken and Peppers
- Baked Panko Chicken with Honey Drizzle
- Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken
- Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie
- 50+ Diced Chicken Recipes
- Easy Chicken Pot Pie
Rotisserie Chicken in the Oven
Ingredients
- 4 pound whole chicken
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1-2 onions, quartered
Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275˚F.
- Mix the salt, paprika, onion powder, thyme, pepper, and garlic powder together.
- Remove the chicken from its packaging and discard the neck and/or gizzards. Rub the outside of the chicken all over with the olive oil. Sprinkle the chicken all over with the seasoning and rub it in.
- Spray 9×13 in baking dish with cooking spray or lightly oil it. Stuff the chicken with the onions and any extra can be placed on the bottom of the dish. Set the chicken on top of the onions breast side up. Bake for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F.
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