It’s one of the greatest inventions in human history. No, not the wheel. Not penicillin or refrigeration either. Definitely not the internet. I’m of course talking about the hot rotisserie chicken—the steamy, unfathomably affordable staple that lines hot bar shelves at the grocery store. Until now, it was excluded under the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), but a new bill in the Senate seeks to make it SNAP-eligible.
What is SNAP? And Why No Rotisserie Chicken?
The SNAP program provides a monthly stipend for low-income families to better afford groceries. However, under current SNAP rules—which prohibit hot prepared foods from coverage—rotisserie chicken is not included. This provision dates back decades, and was originally meant to promote home cooking. However, many see it as outdated and burdensome to families already struggling to put meals on the table.
A bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate called the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act would make rotisserie chicken an eligible purchase under the SNAP program. The bill is being promoted by Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, and Sen. Jim Justice, a Republican serving West Virginia.
“America’s best (and delicious) affordability play is Costco’s $4.99 rotisserie chicken,” Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said in the statement supporting the bill. “It’s one of my family’s favorites and I’m proud to join this bill with Senator Justice for all to try. SNAP funds would be well spent to feed our nation’s families who need it.”
How Big Is SNAP?
SNAP is used by nearly 42 million people. The monthly stipend for U.S. households receiving SNAP benefits is approximately $350, but which items should be eligible under it has long been debated.
Hot prepared foods are easy, quick, and often nutritious. Chief among them is the rotisserie chicken. “We have to give people the option to put a healthy, protein-dense choice on the table that actually tastes good and doesn’t take an hour and a half to cook,” Sen. Justice said in a statement promoting the bill.
American Value Lives at the Grocery Store Hot Bar
Rotisserie chicken is a meal in itself—a flavorful, juicy roast chicken that saves families time and money. It’s also often cheaper than raw chicken, adding to its versatility. It can be used in soups and stews, salads, dips, tacos, or simply carved and served as the main event. The carcass can then be made into stocks and broths, further extending its value.
In addition to its practicality, rotisserie chicken is having a moment in pop culture. In 2025, social media personality Johnny Novo spent months eating and ranking over 100 grocery store rotisserie chickens—which he calls “tissi.” The series amassed millions of views. The full rankings can be found here.
The videos are hilarious, but they also represent the true importance of the tissi. Novo is often seen eating the birds, with his hands, in a park or on a sidewalk bench. It captures exactly what makes the rotisserie chicken so useful. For those needing a quick bite in between jobs, or on their way home, it’s there in all its glory. Plus: there’s often leftovers.
Novo—an expert in the field—throws his full support behind the policy. “Absolutely I support this bill. The bird is the people’s food. Much like the subway in New York City, it is the great equalizer. Everybody from a Michelin-starred chef to someone who clocks in at the crack of dawn working construction loves chicken. It truly brings everyone together,” he told me. “In a world that gets more expensive every minute, it seems my beloved tissi is the only thing that has looked inflation dead in the eye and not given in. Out of 101 chickens I’ve tried, the median price is $9.99… It’s a fantastic deal for a protein heavy meal. Pair it with some rice and you can legit feed a family.”
And it’s not just the consumer that agrees—many in the grocery industry support a shift in SNAP policy.
Jubilee Marketplace—a New York City grocery store that originally went viral for a $2.55 cheeseburger—sells their rotisserie chickens for just $5 a pop, nearly matching the price of the famous Costco version referenced by lawmakers. Novo ranked Jubilee’s bird 24 out of 101, with an 8.4 rating, and a 1.68 “motion per dollar” score—the second highest on the list.
Jubilee Marketplace owner Young Kim tells me that the bill is important—and should go even further. “I fully support it. As a grocery store owner, I’ve found many SNAP rules outdated and illogical. The hot prepared foods rule being a prime example,” he said. “I’ve seen changes in policy since I began working in the industry, but I think there are more needed. Rotisserie chicken is a good start, but even more hot prepared foods should be included under SNAP. People deserve to eat fulfilling meals, regardless of income.”
The Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act may have a funny name, but for millions of families, there’s nothing funny about it. The glistening bird has always been there for us. It’s time we return the favor to those who need it the most.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
