Turn Store-Bought
Rotisserie Chicken
Into A Christmas Centrepiece

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Quick Summary

This guide explains how to take a typical rotisserie chicken and, using tasty but straightforward glazes, readily available stuffing add-ins, and easy ways to add holiday-themed garnishes, transform this chicken into something special, making it appear as though you spent hours preparing it.

Deep Dive

Rotisserie chickens from grocery stores are already precooked and unbelievably moist; the way to get the most out of them is to add layers of flavour and enhance their appearance. There are many ways you can use citrus-herb butter to refresh your rotisserie chicken with flavour; aromatic pan drippings to add depth of flavour; quick holiday stuffing and winter vegetables to add colour; and glazes to enhance visual appeal. You will be able to cook a delicious meal for your family without spending much time preparing the rotisserie chicken by following these few simple steps.

Give It a Second Life with a Quick Flavour Reset

Heat your chicken in the oven on a low heat until plump again; it's just enough to wake it up without drying it out. While the chicken is heating up, whisk together a festive mixture of melted butter with orange zest, rosemary, and garlic, and maybe even a splash of honey or balsamic vinegar. Apply this glaze to the skin halfway through the reheating process to allow for beautiful caramelisation. Rotisserie chickens are seasoned when delivered, but they're generally bland compared to homemade ones. The glaze that you add will create your own "holiday signature" flavour and make it look like you made an effort instead of just picking something off the shelf. A simple combination of butter, Dijon mustard and maple syrup instantly evokes images of a roasted dinner feast.

Build a Festive Platter (Your Real Secret Weapon)

During Christmas time, we tend to underestimate how important presentation is, even though we like to think otherwise. On a large platter, place the chicken along with roasted carrots, baby potatoes or halved grapes and drizzle them with olive oil. To enhance the look, garnish the chicken with sprigs of rosemary or thyme, which add a touch of class. Drizzle a little reduced balsamic (or pan juices) on top of the chicken to wake it up and give the outside a nice, glossy appearance that resembles that of freshly cooked chicken. To add even more colour and texture without putting in any additional effort, simply toss in a handful of toasted nuts and/or pomegranate arils, and suddenly, your ₹300 chicken becomes a Sunday dinner feast.

Upgrade the Inside with Add-Ons

To enhance your cooked chicken's flavour, try stuffing its cavity with warm aromatic ingredients (think: warm oranges, garlic bulbs, fresh sage, etc.). The idea is not to cook anything inside, but simply to warm these ingredients so that their scent permeates the meat as it is served. Doing so enhances the chicken's flavour by giving it a "from the inside out" quality, creating added depth without extending the cooking time.

Make an Easy Christmas Gravy (No Drippings Needed)

Another way to "doctor" up store-bought chicken is to add gravy. To "fake it," simply sauté garlic and onion in butter, then pour in some broth and a little cream, season with black pepper, and continue cooking on low heat until it thickens to a velvety consistency. A spoonful of cranberry sauce or jam makes a deliciously festive glaze that tastes homemade. Adding this glaze on top of the chicken will immediately elevate the overall presentation of your "real" roast chicken.

Turn Leftovers into Tomorrow’s Meal

After the meal is consumed, begin removing leftover meat from the skeleton. You can make sandwiches, bake a filling casserole, make quesadillas, or create a variety of entrees with the meat. Bones can be used to make a simple stock to eat on the following day; therefore, there is no waste from the meal, and the warmth of Christmas is prolonged into the next day.

Final Touches: How to Plate Like a Pro

Place the chicken on a plate and show the cut parts in an orderly manner. Be sure to leave the legs intact; this creates a focal point. Add the glaze on top of the meat, sprinkle fresh herbs around the edge of the plate, and slice citrus fruit into thin pieces, then lay them on their sides for colour. Create a presentation that conveys a sense of bountifulness, colourfulness, and artistic flair.