Costco is a popular warehouse club that offers great values on groceries, including chicken breast. Costco sells fresh and frozen chicken breast under its exclusive Kirkland Signature brand. Kirkland Signature chicken breast comes in different cuts, quantities, and prices to meet customers’ needs. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the Kirkland Signature chicken breast products available at Costco.
Kirkland Signature Fresh Chicken Breast
Kirkland Signature fresh chicken breast is one of the most popular chicken items sold at Costco. It comes in a few different variations:
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
The boneless, skinless Kirkland chicken breasts are a customer favorite. They come in a 6.5-7 pound plastic wrapped tray. Each tray contains between 8-10 chicken breasts that have been trimmed of excess fat. The individual breasts weigh approximately half a pound each.
The boneless, skinless breasts have no ribs or backbones. The skin has also been removed, making these chicken breasts very lean and easy to cook. They can be baked, grilled, sautéed, or used in recipes like chicken parmesan, chicken soup, casseroles, and more.
Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Breasts
For customers who prefer chicken on the bone, Costco sells Kirkland Signature bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts. These come in a 4.5-5.5 pound plastic wrapped tray containing 6-8 breasts.
The bone-in breasts contain part of the backbone and rib bones. They also have the skin intact, which keeps the meat juicier when cooking. The bone-in breasts work well for roasting whole, making chicken soup, or preparing entrees where the bone and skin add flavor.
Organic Chicken Breasts
In addition to the traditional chicken breasts, Costco also sells organic Kirkland Signature chicken breasts. The organic breasts come in a 5-6 pound plastic wrapped tray with 6-8 pieces.
The organic chicken breasts are fed an organic grain diet and are raised cage-free with no antibiotics ever administered. The organic option appeals to customers who want chicken from humanely raised birds that ate non-GMO verified feed.
Kirkland Signature Frozen Chicken Breasts
Along with fresh chicken breast options, Costco sells flash frozen Kirkland Signature chicken breasts. The frozen chicken comes in a few varieties:
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
The frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts mimic the fresh version. They come in a 6 pound bag containing 10 individual breaded chicken breasts. Each breast is approximately 8 ounces after thawing.
The frozen boneless breasts are trimmed of excess fat and skin. Their uniform size and individually quick frozen method makes them convenient for pulling out just what you need. Simply thaw the chicken breasts overnight in the fridge or quickly under cold running water.
Grilled Chicken Breast Strips
For quick weeknight meals, Costco sells bags of frozen Kirkland Signature grilled chicken breast strips. These come in a 6 pound bag.
The strips are made from boneless, skinless chicken breast meat that has been grilled. They are sliced into thin, ready-to-eat strips perfect for tacos, salads, pasta dishes, and more. Just thaw and serve.
Chicken Breast Tenders
Kirkland Signature frozen chicken breast tenders are also available at Costco. They come in a 6 pound bag containing around 62 tenders.
The tenders are made from the same chicken breast meat but cut into long, narrow strips that are perfect for frying or baking. Kids love dipping the crispy breaded tenders in ketchup, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.
Nutrition Information
All varieties of Kirkland Signature chicken breast are nutritious options that are high in protein and low in fat. Here is a nutritional comparison:
| Chicken Type | Calories | Protein | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh boneless, skinless breast (4 oz) | 120 | 26g | 1g |
| Fresh bone-in breast (4 oz) | 160 | 26g | 4g |
| Fresh organic breast (4 oz) | 120 | 26g | 1g |
| Frozen boneless, skinless breast (4 oz) | 130 | 24g | 1.5g |
| Frozen grilled strips (4 oz) | 140 | 28g | 1g |
| Frozen tenders (4 oz) | 180 | 17g | 3.5g |
As you can see, the boneless, skinless options are the lowest calorie and fat. The bone-in and chicken tender options have slightly more fat due to the skin and breaded coating. But all varieties are high quality with ample protein.
Prices
One of the benefits of shopping at Costco is getting quality Kirkland Signature chicken breasts at wholesale prices. Here are the approximate prices for Kirkland chicken breasts:
| Chicken Type | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Fresh boneless, skinless breast tray (6.5-7 lbs) | $18.99 |
| Fresh bone-in, skin-on breast tray (4.5-5.5 lbs) | $13.99 |
| Fresh organic breast tray (5-6 lbs) | $21.99 |
| Frozen boneless, skinless breast bag (6 lbs) | $19.99 |
| Frozen grilled strips (6 lbs) | $17.99 |
| Frozen tenders (6 lbs) | $18.99 |
As you can see, Costco offers significant savings compared to buying chicken breasts at a regular grocery store. The prices equate to around $3 per pound or less for high-quality, lean chicken.
Cooking Kirkland Chicken Breasts
Kirkland Signature chicken breasts are versatile ingredients that can be prepared many ways. Here are some cooking tips:
Fresh Chicken
– Bake: Season with salt, pepper, herbs, or spices. Bake at 375°F for 25-35 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
– Grill: Coat with oil and seasonings. Grill over medium heat for 6-8 minutes per side.
– Sauté: Dice or slice chicken. Cook in olive oil or butter over medium-high heat until browned and 165°F internally.
– Braise: Brown chicken pieces then simmer in broth and vegetables until very tender.
Frozen Chicken
– Bake: No need to thaw. Bake frozen breaded chicken tenders or strips at 400°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
– Sauté: Thaw breasts overnight in fridge or quickly in water. Pat dry and sauté in olive oil over medium heat until 165°F.
– Soup: Add frozen grilled strips or diced breasts straight to soups and stews. Cook until chicken is heated through.
Doneness
– Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F when cooked.
– Signs of doneness include opaque, white flesh and juices that run clear.
– Take care not to overcook chicken or it will become tough and dry.
Conclusion
In summary, Costco offers high-quality Kirkland Signature chicken breasts in a variety of options like fresh or frozen, boneless or bone-in, conventional or organic. The chicken is conveniently packaged in bulk trays or bags at prices Costco members love. Kirkland chicken breasts are nutritious, lean protein options that work well in many recipes. Their versatility and wholesale pricing make them a budget-friendly staple to stock up on during your next Costco run.