One of the simplest grocery store hacks for eating more lean protein without much fuss in the kitchen is to purchase a rotisserie chicken on the reg.

Why are rotisserie chickens so fantastic? To state the obvious, for starters, you don’t have to cook anything as it’s already cooked, and you can bring it home straight from the store and eat it or prep it immediately. In fact, Trish Clasen Marsanico, deputy editor in the Women’s Health Test Kitchen, likes to snack on drumsticks from her rotisserie chicken on the way home from the store…sometimes you just can’t wait for a protein hit!

Why trust these tips? The experts in the Women’s Health Test Kitchen have a collective 30 years experience in the food and nutrition space.

What’s more, rotisserie chickens are roasted rather than fried, which means they’re typically a healthier alternative to other prepared meat options. Rotisserie chickens are sold at most grocery stories and big box stores. (You can find them at Whole Foods, Costco, Sam’s Club, and more.)

As for numbers, 1 whole rotisserie chicken will generally give you about 4 cups of meat and around 165 grams of protein in total.

How To Buy A Rotisserie Chicken At The Store

Make sure you inspect it carefully. When it sits under a heat lamp all day, the skin dries out and shrivels. The freshest birds will be plump and evenly browned.

Double check that it’s hot, hot, hot. Bacteria grow most rapidly between 40°F and 140°F, so grab the hottest chicken. Also: Make it the last item on your grocery list so it won’t sit in the cart too long.

Give it the weight feel. Rotisserie chickens tend to weigh around 2.5 lbs for consistent cooking. If a bird feels much lighter, that means more of its juices have evaporated, resulting in a drier bird.

Skip the flavored ones. Specially seasoned birds are often higher in sodium. For the healthiest choice, opt for plain and then add salt and herbs at home.

Make friends with the counter folks. The earlier in the day you buy the bird, the fresher it’ll be. Ask whoever is behind the counter at your preferred grocery store what time their first chickens come off the rotisserie, suggests Tina Martinez, food producer in the Women’s Health Test Kitchen. This way, you have a general timeframe to aim for to snag the best bird.

What To Do With A Rotisserie Chicken At Home

Shred first, shred fast: When you get home from the store, get to work! Shred the rotisserie chicken and/or remove the meat from the bones when it’s still warm. (Otherwise it’ll get mushy if you wait until later.)

Add it to vegetable soup: Take a can or box of something like butternut squash puree, and add in shredded rotisserie chicken. Voila! Easy soothing protein-packed comfort dinner.

Create a filling: Whatever your favorite dressing and/or condiment, toss that with rotisserie chicken and you have an instant sandwich lettuce wrap or lettuce wrap filling. For example, try green goddess dressing mixed with shredded rotisserie chicken. Or, mash guacamole with shredded chicken for an instant chicken salad.

“What’s really great about rotisserie chicken is that it’s a vehicle for any of your favorite flavorings,” says Kate Merker, chief food director at Women’s Health.

Make a broth with the carcass: After you’re done shredding and/or removing the meat, add bones to a slow cooker with onion, carrots, and celery along with parsley stems, thyme, or rosemary. Cover with water and let cook on low for 10 hours.

Rotisserie Chicken Recipes To Try Tonight

Use it in Greek Chicken and Farro Salad.

Go for Banana Chicken Curry.

Try Smoky Chicken Quinoa Soup.

Make Coronation Chicken Salad.