Are you standing in Costco wondering if that delicious-smelling rotisserie chicken is gonna wreck your diet? I’ve been there! These golden birds are practically the store’s mascot, and at just $4.99, they’re a no-brainer for busy weeknights But what about the calories?
Let’s dive into exactly how many calories are in a Costco rotisserie chicken and break down everything you need to know about this convenient meal option.
The Quick Answer: Calories in Costco Rotisserie Chicken
For those in a hurry, here’s the short version:
- Per 3 oz serving (85g): 140 calories
- Per whole chicken (about 3 pounds): Approximately 840 calories
But wait – there’s more to the story than just calories! Let’s dig deeper
Nutrition Facts: What’s Really in That Chicken?
Per 3 oz Serving (85g)
Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
---|---|---|
Calories | 140 | 7% |
Total Fat | 7g | 9% |
Saturated Fat | 2.5g | 13% |
Trans Fat | 0g | – |
Cholesterol | 55mg | 18% |
Sodium | 460mg | 20% |
Total Carbs | 0.5g | 0% |
Dietary Fiber | 0g | 0% |
Sugars | 0.5g | – |
Protein | 19g | – |
The calorie breakdown for a serving is:
- Fat: 45% of calories
- Carbs: 1% of calories
- Protein: 54% of calories
Per Cup (237.3g)
If you’re more likely to portion your chicken by cup rather than weight, here’s what you’re looking at
Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
---|---|---|
Calories | 406.8 | – |
Total Fat | 23.7g | 30% |
Saturated Fat | 6.8g | 34% |
Cholesterol | 118.6mg | 39% |
Sodium | 779.7mg | 33% |
Total Carbs | 0g | 0% |
Protein | 39g | 78% |
The Whole Bird: Total Calories
A typical Costco rotisserie chicken weighs about 3 pounds. Based on the nutrition info, the whole chicken contains approximately:
- Total calories: 840
- Total fat: 42g
- Saturated fat: 15g
- Protein: 114g
Remember, this is an estimate since chicken sizes can vary slightly.
Chicken With vs. Without Skin
The skin is where a lot of the fat (and flavor!) lives. If you’re watching your calories or fat intake, you might want to consider removing the skin.
Chicken breast without skin (3 oz):
- 101 calories
- 22% calories from fat
- 76% calories from protein
- 2% calories from carbs
That’s a significant difference compared to chicken with skin! The skin alone can add about 5 grams of saturated fat per 3-ounce serving.
Is Costco Rotisserie Chicken Healthy?
I’m gonna be real with you – it depends on how you eat it and what your health goals are.
The Good Stuff:
- High in protein: With 19g protein per 3 oz serving, it’s great for muscle maintenance
- Relatively low calorie: Compared to many takeout options
- No added preservatives: It’s basically just seasoned, cooked chicken
- Good source of nutrients: Contains B vitamins, selenium, phosphorus, and potassium
- Keto-friendly: Almost zero carbs makes it suitable for keto diets
- Convenient: Ready to eat when you need a quick meal
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Sodium content: 460mg per 3 oz serving is about 20% of your daily recommended intake
- Saturated fat: Especially if you eat the skin
- Not organic: If that’s important to your food choices
Healthy Ways to Enjoy Costco Rotisserie Chicken
We love Costco rotisserie chicken at our house, but I’ve found some ways to make it even healthier:
- Remove the skin before eating to slash fat and calories
- Control portions – stick to 3-4 oz servings (about the size of a deck of cards)
- Load up on veggies alongside your chicken
- Use it in meal prep – shred it for salads, wraps, and soups
- Balance with plant-based sides like roasted veggies or whole grains
Quick & Healthy Recipe Ideas
1. Chicken & Veggie Power Bowl
- 1/2 cup quinoa
- 1 cup kale or spinach
- 1/3 cup chopped Costco rotisserie chicken breast (no skin)
- 1/4 avocado
- Lemon juice and olive oil dressing
- Everything bagel seasoning
2. Easy Mexican Chicken Salad
- 3 cups romaine
- 1/2 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1/2 cup black beans
- 1/2 avocado
- Salsa as dressing
- Lime juice and cumin to taste
3. Chicken & Hummus Wrap
- Whole wheat tortilla
- 1/4 cup hummus
- 1/3 cup shredded Costco chicken
- Sautéed veggies (bell peppers, onions)
- Lettuce
- Crumbled feta
FAQs About Costco Rotisserie Chicken Calories
How many calories are in 4 oz of Costco rotisserie chicken?
4 oz contains approximately 188 calories, with a macronutrient breakdown of 0% carbs, 42% fat, and 58% protein.
How many calories are in a whole Costco rotisserie chicken?
A whole 3-pound chicken has around 840 calories total.
Is Costco rotisserie chicken good for weight loss?
It can be! The high protein content helps keep you full, and it’s relatively low in calories compared to many convenience foods. Just watch your portions and consider removing the skin.
How many calories in Costco rotisserie chicken breast only?
If you stick to just the breast meat (no skin), you’re looking at about 101 calories per 3 oz serving.
Is Costco’s rotisserie chicken healthy?
While it’s high in protein and relatively low in saturated fat, it does contain a fair amount of sodium due to the seasoning process. Overall, it can definitely be part of a healthy diet if consumed in reasonable portions.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, Costco rotisserie chicken is a pretty solid option when you need a convenient protein source. At 140 calories per 3 oz serving with 19g of protein, it can definitely fit into a healthy eating plan.
The whole chicken gives you about 840 calories, which means you can feed a family of 4 for just 210 calories per person if you divide it evenly. Not bad at all!
I personally think it’s one of the best deals in the store, both nutritionally and financially. For $4.99, you get a versatile protein that can be used in countless meals. Just be mindful of the sodium content and maybe don’t eat the skin everyday if you’re watching your saturated fat intake.
Note: Nutrition information is based on data from FatSecret and SnapCalorie platforms as of September 2025.
Log this food in SnapCalorie
Quantity: 406.8 calories 39.0 protein 0 carbohydrates 23.7 fat
Calories | 406.8 | ||
---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* | |||
Total Fat | 23.7 g | 30% | |
Saturated Fat | 6.8 g | 34% | |
Polyunsaturated Fat | 0 g | ||
Cholesterol | 118.6 mg | 39% | |
Sodium | 779.7 mg | 33% | |
Total Carbohydrates | 0 g | 0% | |
Dietary Fiber | 0 g | 0% | |
Sugars | 0 g | ||
protein | 39.0 g | 78% | |
Vitamin D | 0 mcg | 0% | |
Calcium | 25.4 mg | 1% | |
Iron | 1.7 mg | 9% | |
Potassium | 406.8 mg | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.