Many people enjoy the convenience and flavor of rotisserie chickens from grocery stores like Walmart. Rotisserie chickens make for an easy protein option that can be used in various dishes or enjoyed on their own. However, one question that often comes up is just how many calories are actually in a Walmart rotisserie chicken?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the calorie count for Walmart’s rotisserie chickens and provide nutrition facts. We’ll also look at how the calorie count of a Walmart rotisserie chicken compares to rotisserie chickens from other grocery chains. Finally, we’ll offer some tips for enjoying your Walmart rotisserie chicken as part of a healthy diet.
Nutrition Facts for Walmart Rotisserie Chicken
According to Walmart’s website, the nutrition facts for their standard rotisserie chicken are as follows:
- Serving Size: 112g
- Calories: 160
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Sodium: 330mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 0g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 27g
So in a 3-ounce serving of Walmart rotisserie chicken, you can expect around 160 calories. Of course, the actual calorie amount will vary a bit depending on the exact size of chicken you purchase.
Many people eat more than a single 3-ounce serving of rotisserie chicken at a time. Here is a breakdown of the approximate calories for different serving sizes of Walmart rotisserie chicken:
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 3 ounces (84g) | 160 |
| 1/4 chicken (224g) | 425 |
| 1/2 chicken (448g) | 850 |
| Entire chicken (896g) | 1700 |
As you can see, a quarter of a chicken contains about 425 calories, while a half chicken contains 850 calories. And if you eat the entire rotisserie chicken from Walmart, you’ll be consuming approximately 1700 calories.
How Walmart Rotisserie Chicken Calories Compare
Walmart’s rotisserie chicken calorie count is fairly standard compared to other grocery stores. Here is how it stacks up against some other popular rotisserie chicken options:
- Costco: A quarter Costco rotisserie chicken has 400 calories. So the whole chicken would have around 1600 calories.
- Sam’s Club: Sam’s Club does not provide nutrition information for their rotisserie chickens. But most estimates put their calorie count similar to Walmart and Costco, around 1600-1700 calories for a whole chicken.
- Kroger: A quarter Kroger rotisserie chicken contains 310 calories. So the total calories for a whole chicken would be around 1240.
- Publix: Publix does not publish nutrition data for their rotisserie chickens. Independent estimates put the calorie count between 1200-1400 calories for an entire chicken.
- Albertsons: Albertsons rotisserie chicken has 170 calories per quarter chicken. A whole chicken would have around 680 calories.
As you can see, Walmart’s rotisserie chicken calorie count lands right in the average range compared to other major grocery store chains. Stores like Costco and Sam’s Club tend to have slightly higher calorie counts, closer to 1600-1700 calories for a whole chicken. Other stores like Albertsons and Kroger tend to have lower calorie counts, in the 1200-1400 range.
Tips for Enjoying Walmart Rotisserie Chicken as Part of a Healthy Diet
While Walmart’s rotisserie chicken is high in calories, it can absolutely still be part of a healthy diet when enjoyed in moderation. Here are some tips:
- Be mindful of your portion sizes. Stick to smaller 3-4 oz servings to keep calories in check.
- Try removing the skin before eating to lower the fat and calorie content.
- Pair your rotisserie chicken with non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or a salad for a balanced meal.
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken in healthy recipes like sandwiches, wraps, soups, or chicken salad.
- Rotisserie chicken can be high in sodium. Be sure to drink plenty of water and balance it out with foods that are lower in sodium.
- Watch your total calorie intake for the day when enjoying rotisserie chicken. Account for the calories by reducing calorie intake elsewhere in your daily meals and snacks.
With proper portion control and by incorporating it into an overall healthy eating plan, Walmart’s rotisserie chicken can be a tasty and nutritious option for many people. The key is moderation and balance.
The Bottom Line
So how many calories are actually in a Walmart rotisserie chicken? The total calorie count lands around 1700 calories for an entire chicken. A quarter of a chicken contains about 425 calories, while a half chicken has roughly 850 calories. This calorie count is fairly standard compared to rotisserie chickens from other major grocery chains. With mindful eating habits, Walmart’s rotisserie chicken can absolutely be enjoyed as part of an overall balanced and healthy diet. Focus on reasonable portion sizes, pair it with nutritious side dishes, and balance out the sodium and calories throughout your day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in just chicken breast from a Walmart rotisserie chicken?
The chicken breast from a Walmart rotisserie chicken contains around 160 calories per 3 oz serving. So a 6 oz chicken breast would have approximately 320 calories.
Is Walmart rotisserie chicken healthy?
Yes, Walmart rotisserie chicken can be a healthy option when consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. It is a lean source of protein and provides nutrients like niacin, vitamin B6, selenium, and phosphorus. Just be mindful of portion size, sodium content, and your total calorie intake for the day.
Is Walmart rotisserie chicken baked or fried?
Walmart rotisserie chicken is baked, not fried. Rotisserie chicken involves cooking the chicken slowly on a rotating spit to evenly cook and brown the meat. No additional oils or frying are involved.
What is the healthiest part of a rotisserie chicken?
The healthiest parts of a rotisserie chicken are generally considered to be the breast meat and wings. These are leaner cuts of meat with less saturated fat and calories than cuts like thighs and legs. The skin is high in fat so removing skin further reduces calories and fat if desired.
Is eating the skin on rotisserie chicken bad for you?
It’s fine to eat the skin in moderation as part of a healthy diet. However, the skin adds significant amounts of fat and calories. A rotisserie chicken thigh with skin contains nearly double the calories and fat compared to skinless. So go skinless if you are concerned about calories or fat intake.
