Rotisserie Chicken Calories: Breast, Thigh, Leg and Whole
How many calories are in rotisserie chicken – breast, thigh, drumstick, wing and whole chicken, with or without skin – plus protein and sodium.
Rotisserie chicken is one of the best deals in the supermarket: a whole, hot, ready-to-eat chicken for a few dollars. It’s perfect for quick dinners, salads and meal prep. But how many calories does it have – and which part is the lightest?
The short answer: 3 oz (85 g) of rotisserie chicken breast without the skin has about 122 calories and 24 g of protein. A thigh with the skin has about 215 calories. Dark meat and skin have more calories than white meat. A whole chicken has about 1,500–1,800 calories of meat and skin. Store rotisserie chicken is also quite salty, because it’s injected with a seasoning solution.
Calories in rotisserie chicken by part
Values are for store rotisserie chicken, from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA FoodData Central):
| Part | Portion | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast, no skin | 3 oz (85 g) | 122 kcal | 24 g |
| Breast, with skin | 3 oz (85 g) | 149 kcal | 22 g |
| Half breast, with skin | about 190 g | about 330 kcal | 50 g |
| Thigh, no skin | 3 oz (85 g) | 164 kcal | 20 g |
| Thigh, with skin | 1 thigh (95 g) | 215 kcal | 21 g |
| Drumstick, with skin | 1 drumstick (71 g) | 146 kcal | 18 g |
| Wing, with skin | 1 wing (about 50 g) | about 110 kcal | 11 g |
| Whole chicken, meat and skin | about 800–900 g | about 1,500–1,800 kcal | 190–210 g |
Tip: a portion of 3–4 oz of breast meat is about the size of a deck of cards or the palm of your hand.
Rotisserie chicken nutrition facts
| Nutrient (per 100 g) | Breast, no skin | Thigh, with skin |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 144 kcal | 226 kcal |
| Protein | 28.0 g | 22.5 g |
| Fat | 3.6 g | 15.1 g |
| – of which saturated | 0.9 g | 3.9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g | 0.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 86 mg | 127 mg |
| Sodium | 328 mg | 335 mg |
White meat without skin is the leanest choice: high in protein, low in fat. Dark meat with skin has about 60% more calories and four times more fat. Both are good protein sources – it just depends on how many calories you want to spend.
What’s in the seasoning?
Plain roasted chicken has about 75–110 mg of sodium per 100 g. Store rotisserie chicken has about 3–4 times more, because most chickens are injected with a salt solution to stay juicy. Depending on the store, that solution can also contain:
- salt and sugar or dextrose,
- sodium phosphates to hold water in the meat,
- modified food starch and carrageenan as thickeners,
- spice extracts and flavorings.
These amounts are small, but if you eat rotisserie chicken often, it’s worth reading the ingredient list on the label – it differs a lot between stores. Some sell plain or “no added solution” chickens.
Calories in rotisserie chicken meals
| Meal | Calories |
|---|---|
| 4 oz breast meat + big green salad with vinaigrette | about 300–350 kcal |
| Chicken wrap (tortilla, 3 oz meat, vegetables, sauce) | about 400–500 kcal |
| Thigh with skin + 1 cup rice | about 420 kcal |
| Chicken salad with mayo (½ cup) | about 250–350 kcal |
| Quarter chicken (leg and thigh) + mashed potatoes | about 600–750 kcal |
Is rotisserie chicken good for weight loss?
Yes. It’s ready to eat, cheap and rich in protein – exactly what helps you stick to a diet when you have no time to cook.
To keep it light:
- Choose breast meat and remove the skin.
- Use it in salads, bowls and wraps with lots of vegetables.
- Shred it for meal prep – one chicken gives you protein for several meals.
- Go easy on mayo-based chicken salad, which can double the calories.
- Balance the salt: drink water and eat fresh vegetables, not salty sides.
Remember that you lose weight only when you eat fewer calories than you burn. Read more about the calorie deficit and find your number with our calorie calculator.
Count the calories in your chicken dinner without guesswork. With NutriSmart, you snap a photo of what you eat, and the app counts your calories, protein, carbs and fat and shows how much you have left for the day. For a packed chicken, scan the barcode to see what’s in the seasoning and a health score out of 100.Get the app free
You can also read how many calories are in chicken breast and in a chicken thigh, or try our high protein dinner ideas.
The bottom line
3 oz of rotisserie chicken breast without skin has about 122 calories and 24 g of protein; a thigh with skin has about 215 calories. A whole chicken has about 1,500–1,800 calories of meat and skin. It’s a great, cheap protein for weight loss – choose white meat, remove the skin and watch the salt.
FAQ
How many calories are in a rotisserie chicken breast?
3 oz (85 g) of rotisserie chicken breast without skin has about 122 calories and 24 g of protein. With the skin, it has about 149 calories. A whole half breast with skin (about 190 g) has about 330 calories.
How many calories are in a rotisserie chicken thigh?
One rotisserie thigh with skin (95 g) has about 215 calories and 21 g of protein. Without the skin, 3 oz of thigh meat has about 164 calories.
How many calories are in a whole rotisserie chicken?
A typical store rotisserie chicken has about 1.8–2 lb (800–900 g) of meat and skin you can eat, which is about 1,500–1,800 calories. Without the skin, it's closer to 1,200–1,400.
Is rotisserie chicken good for weight loss?
Yes. It's a cheap, ready-to-eat source of protein. Choose breast meat, remove the skin, and pair it with vegetables or a salad. Watch the sodium if you eat it often.
Why is rotisserie chicken so salty?
Most store chickens are injected with a salt solution and coated in seasoning. 3 oz can have about 280–330 mg of sodium – about 3–4 times more than plain roasted chicken.
Should you remove the skin?
If you count calories, yes. The skin adds about 30–50 calories per 3 oz and most of the saturated fat. It also holds most of the salt and seasoning.
