Rotisserie Chicken Skin: Is It Bad to Eat It?

The skin of a rotisserie chicken is one of the tastiest parts of the dish, but it is also the one with the highest fat content: for this reason, many people wonder whether it is healthy to eat it or not. But what does chicken skin contain, nutritionally speaking? Who can eat it and in what quantities and who should avoid it? Here is everything you need to know about rotisserie or roast chicken skin.

The Skin of The Rotisserie Chicken: a Tasty Dilemma

The crispy skin of rotisserie chicken is certainly inviting and adds a touch of extra flavor to the dish. But is it really healthy to eat it?

The skin gives the chicken a richer and tastier flavor, thanks to the concentration of fats and aromas: it is rich in fats, which provide a good amount of energy. The skin, thanks to the concentration of fats and the interaction between proteins and sugars that occurs during cooking, develops an intense and aromatic flavor. If cooked correctly, it becomes crispy and adds a pleasant texture to the dish.

The skin on a rotisserie chicken, while tasty, doesn't necessarily make the meat underneath juicier. In fact, it often does the opposite: it acts as a sort of barrier that prevents the internal moisture of the meat from evaporating during cooking. This can lead to drier meat, especially if cooked for a long time. During cooking, fats melt and can make the meat a little greasy, but not necessarily more moist.

That said, there are several cons to eating it: although it makes the chicken more delicious, it is particularly rich in fat, especially saturated fat, which if consumed in excess can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Chicken skin can contain up to 32% fat: this means that for every 100 grams of skin, about 32 grams are made up of fat. The skin contributes to significantly increasing the caloric intake of a chicken dish. Furthermore, if the skin is overcooked or burned, it can contain substances that are potentially harmful to health.

When is It Best to Avoid It?

Generally, the skin of the spit-roasted chicken can be consumed, occasionally , by almost everyone. However, there are some categories of people who would be better off avoiding eating it:

• Dieters: If you're on a low-calorie diet or want to reduce your saturated fat intake, it's best to avoid the skin.
• Those suffering from heart problems: People with cardiovascular problems should limit their consumption of foods rich in saturated fats.
• If your skin is burned: Burnt skin may contain potentially carcinogenic substances.

When Can You Eat It?

If you love chicken skin and don't have any health concerns, you can enjoy it occasionally. Of course, even if you decide to eat it, it's best to only consume a small amount.

Cook the chicken at an appropriate temperature to prevent the skin from burning, and don't add too much salt or other fatty seasonings to the skin. If you want a more intense flavor without adding fat, you can marinate the chicken with herbs and spices.