I have been on a quest to find the best frozen crispy chicken nuggets for years. I could pretend that I started this not-so-secret challenge because my 2 1/2-year-old toddler will basically only eat four meals: chicken enchiladas, meatballs with tomato sauce, chili with rice and beans, and, of course, chicken nuggets (with a lot of ketchup and diced avocado on the side). But I won’t lie; this search was mostly for me.
I first came across Costco’s Kirkland Signature Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks while scrolling on Instagram. One of my favorite influencers posted a Story sharing what she and her fiancé eat in a day, and voila! The nuggets were a main part of their meal plan — they eat them multiple times a week for lunch or dinner.
I wondered if these actually taste as crispy and delicious as they looked in her Story, or if this would be just another case where Instagram gets the best of me. There was only one way to find out: I called up my sister and asked her to take me to Costco the next time she visited (she’s a member and I am not).
I am happy to report that once I was able to secure the hefty (four-pound!) bag, I was pleasantly surprised by the crispy, tender, and well-seasoned nuggets.
What’s So Great About Kirkland Signature Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks?
My absolute favorite thing about these nuggets is the breading. They aren’t coated with a thick layer. True to their name, the chunks are lightly breaded, so they come out crispy from the oven. They don’t have a rubbery consistency to them either, like some other frozen chicken nuggets I’ve tried. These are tender and juicy, and the seasoning is not too overwhelming either, so I can easily incorporate them into other dishes.
What’s the Best Way to Make Kirkland Signature Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks?
I make these nuggets multiple times a week. I cook them in the oven for 13 or 14 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The packaging suggests 15 to 20 minutes, but I take them out slightly earlier so the bottom doesn’t burn. The meat is warmed through (and even needs some cooling time to avoid burning my mouth).
Two of my favorite dishes are also some of the simplest to make. I created my own version of a crispy chicken ranch wrap with cheddar cheese, lettuce, avocado, and bacon, only instead of bottled ranch dressing I add Chick–fil–A sauce to the whole-wheat wrap. It’s so delicious.
I also make a crispy chicken Caesar salad; I’ll chop the chunks up into smaller pieces, then put all the other salad ingredients in a bowl and shake it up. I get all of that flavor of a classic Caesar salad with the added crunch of the nuggets.
I have also included them in my toddler’s weekly meal rotation. He prefers to eat the crispy chicken nuggets with a side of ketchup so he can do his own dipping — as toddlers do.
Find it in stores: Kirkland Signature Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks, $14.99 for four pounds
What’s the one Costco grocery you go out of your way to get? Tell us about it in the comments below.
