Chicken, broiler, rotisserie, BBQ, back, meat and skin
Whole food · Poultry Products
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the rich, flavorful back portion of a rotisserie chicken, cooked with a sweet and smoky BBQ glaze. The meat is tender and juicy, while the skin adds a satisfying, slightly crispy texture. It's a high-protein, high-fat option with virtually no carbohydrates.
Calorie split: 32% protein · 1% carbs · 67% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the irresistible combination of smoky, sweet BBQ flavor and the juicy, tender meat that falls off the bone. It's a classic comfort food that feels indulgent yet is a staple in many households for a quick, satisfying meal.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The BBQ glaze and skin can be high in sodium and added sugars, which may be a concern for those monitoring blood pressure or blood sugar. To counteract this, pair it with a large, non-starchy vegetable side (like steamed broccoli or a green salad) and practice portion control, enjoying the skin in moderation.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of complete protein for muscle maintenance
- Provides essential B vitamins like niacin and B6
- Contains minerals like selenium and phosphorus
- The skin offers dietary fat for satiety
- Convenient, ready-to-eat protein source
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The rotisserie cooking method, where meat is skewered and rotated on a spit, is believed to date back to the Byzantine Empire, with the term itself coming from the French word for 'spit'.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 59.4 g |
| Energy | 251 kcal |
| Energy | 1051 kj |
| Protein | 20.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 18.9 g |
| Ash | 1.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.40 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.40 g |
| Sucrose | 0.18 g |
| Glucose | 0.17 g |
| Fructose | 0.05 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 33.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.83 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 19.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 217 mg |
| Potassium, K | 254 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 509 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.5 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.06 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 35.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.07 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.18 mg |
| Niacin | 5.6 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.20 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.15 mg |
| Folate, total | 7.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 7.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 7.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 51.4 mg |
| Betaine | 4.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.60 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 24.0 ug |
| Retinol | 24.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 79.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.26 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 5.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 5.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.9 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.90 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 7.9 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 1.2 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 6.6 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 2.7 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.5 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 0.85 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.13 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.10 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.08 g |
| TFA 18:2 t,t | 0.03 g |
| Cholesterol | 118 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.17 g |
| Threonine | 0.51 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.80 g |
| Leucine | 1.4 g |
| Lysine | 1.4 g |
| Methionine | 0.54 g |
| Cystine | 0.19 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.67 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.50 g |
| Valine | 0.91 g |
| Arginine | 1.1 g |
| Histidine | 0.52 g |
| Alanine | 1.0 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.6 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.6 g |
| Glycine | 1.1 g |
| Proline | 0.95 g |
| Serine | 0.53 g |
FAQ
Is the skin the most nutritious part?
No, the skin is primarily fat and calories. The meat underneath is the leaner, protein-rich part. You can remove the skin to significantly reduce the fat and calorie content.
How does this compare to plain roasted chicken?
Rotisserie BBQ chicken has a similar protein content but is higher in fat and calories due to the added glaze and the cooking method that retains skin fat. Plain roasted chicken is a leaner option.
Can I eat this on a low-carb diet?
Yes, with caution. The meat itself is very low-carb, but the BBQ sauce can add hidden sugars. Check the sauce ingredients or opt for a dry-rubbed rotisserie chicken if available.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.51 kcal/g · 32% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.4 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.00 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.