10 Best Costco Chicken Recipes

Every Costco shopper knows the “Cult Favorites.” There is the legendary Chicken Bake from the food court, the viral “Just Bare” nuggets that taste like Chick-fil-A, and the massive jars of Kirkland Pesto.

But how do you turn these bulk items into proper meals? We have gathered the best recipes to transform Costco’s famous frozen and fresh chicken products into family dinners.

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1. The Copycat Costco Chicken Bake

If you don’t want to fight the crowds at the Food Court, make this legend at home. It uses pizza dough to wrap chicken, bacon, and Caesar dressing into a hot, cheesy parcel.

Ingredients

• The Dough: 1 tube refrigerated pizza dough (Pillsbury) or 1 lb store-bought dough.
• The Meat: 2 cups cooked chicken (cubed) and ½ cup cooked bacon crumbles (Kirkland brand).
• The Sauce: ½ cup Caesar Dressing (Kirkland signature).
• The Cheese: 1 ½ cups Mozzarella and Provolone mix.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll the dough out into a large rectangle and cut into 4 squares.
2. In a bowl, mix the chicken, bacon, Caesar dressing, and half the cheese.
3. Place the filling in the center of each dough square.
4. Roll the dough over the filling and pinch the seams tightly to seal (like a burrito).
5. Brush the top with extra Caesar dressing and sprinkle with parmesan. Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden.

2. “Just Bare” Chicken Parmesan

Costco sells the green bag of “Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Chunks,” which are famous for tasting just like Chick-fil-A. This recipe turns them into a 15-minute Italian dinner.

Ingredients

• The Chicken: ½ bag “Just Bare” Chicken Chunks (Frozen).
• The Sauce: 1 jar Rao’s Marinara Sauce (also a Costco staple).
• The Cheese: 1 cup Mozzarella cheese (shredded) and ½ cup Parmesan.
• The Base: Spaghetti or Zucchini Noodles.

Instructions

1. Air fry or bake the chicken chunks according to the package (usually 400°F for 12 minutes) until crispy.
2. While they cook, warm the marinara sauce in a pan.
3. Place the crispy chicken into the sauce. Top heavily with mozzarella.
4. Cover the pan with a lid for 2 minutes to melt the cheese. Serve over pasta.

3. Sheet Pan Pesto Chicken

This recipe uses two Costco giants: the bulk Air-Chilled Chicken Breasts and the massive jar of Kirkland Basil Pesto. It is healthy, green, and requires only one pan.

Ingredients

• The Meat: 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
• The Sauce: ½ cup Kirkland Basil Pesto.
• The Veggies: 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes and 1 lb Asparagus (trimmed).
• The Cheese: Mozzarella slices (optional).

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place chicken and veggies on a baking sheet.
3. Smear a thick layer of pesto over the chicken breasts. Toss the veggies in a little oil and salt.
4. Bake for 20–25 minutes. If you want, add a slice of cheese to the chicken in the last 2 minutes.

4. Mandarin Orange Chicken Stir-Fry

Costco’s “Crazy Cuizine” Mandarin Orange Chicken is a freezer staple. However, eating just breaded chicken isn’t a meal. This recipe adds fresh crunch to make it a balanced stir-fry.

Ingredients

• The Chicken: 1 box Mandarin Orange Chicken (Frozen).
• The Veggies: 1 bag Costco “Stir Fry Vegetable Blend” (Frozen) or fresh snap peas and peppers.
• The Base: Microwave Jasmine Rice.

Instructions

1. Bake the chicken pieces in the oven so they stay crispy (do not microwave the chicken).
2. While the chicken bakes, stir-fry the vegetable blend in a hot wok/skillet.
3. Warm the sauce packets in a bowl of hot water.
4. Toss the crispy chicken and cooked veggies together with the sauce right before serving.

5. Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

Costco sells chicken breasts in packs of 6 pouches. This recipe is designed to cook a large batch for your weekly lunches. It uses the bulk Feta and Kalamata olives often found in the deli aisle.

Ingredients

• The Meat: 2 lbs Chicken Breasts (cubed).
• The Marinade: ½ cup Olive Oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, and garlic.
• The Salad: Cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and Kalamata olives.
• The Base: Quinoa or Brown Rice.

Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken cubes in the oil, lemon, and oregano for 30 minutes.
2. Grill or pan-fry the chicken until cooked through.
3. Divide rice into 4 containers. Top with chicken and the fresh Greek salad mix.
4. Add a scoop of Tzatziki (Costco usually sells the Hannah brand) on the side.

6. Creamy Jalapeño Stuffed Chicken

If you bought the massive tub of Philadelphia Cream Cheese and a sack of Jalapeños, this is how you use them. It turns plain chicken breasts into a “Popper.”

Ingredients

• The Meat: 4 large Chicken Breasts.
• The Stuffing: 4 oz Cream Cheese (softened), ½ cup Cheddar, and 2 diced Jalapeños.
• The Wrapping: 8 slices Bacon (Kirkland Thick Cut).

Instructions

1. Cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast (don’t cut all the way through).
2. Mix the cream cheese, cheddar, and peppers. Stuff it inside the chicken pockets.
3. Wrap each breast with 2 slices of bacon to hold it shut.
4. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35–40 minutes until the bacon is crispy and chicken is cooked.

7. White Chicken Chili (Using Rotisserie)

While we covered soups before, this one uses the Kirkland “Great White Northern Beans” (canned) and the Rotisserie chicken for a completely different flavor profile than noodle soup.

Ingredients

• The Meat: 3 cups Shredded Rotisserie Chicken.
• The Beans: 2 cans White Beans (drained).
• The Broth: 4 cups Chicken Broth and 1 small can chopped Green Chiles.
• The Cream: 4 oz Cream Cheese or Sour Cream.

Instructions

1. Sauté onion and garlic in a pot.
2. Add broth, chiles, beans, cumin, and oregano. Simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Stir in the cream cheese until it melts completely into the broth.
4. Add the chicken and heat through. Serve with Kirkland Tortilla Strips.

8. Chicken & Spinach Tortellini Bake

Costco’s refrigerated section sells large twin-packs of Spinach & Cheese Tortellini. This recipe combines those pasta parcels with rotisserie chicken for a hearty bake.

Ingredients

• The Pasta: 1 package Kirkland Five Cheese Tortellini.
• The Meat: 2 cups Chopped Chicken.
• The Sauce: 1 jar Alfredo Sauce (Rao’s or Kirkland) or Marinara.
• The Veggie: 2 cups fresh spinach.

Instructions

1. Boil the tortellini for only 2 minutes (it finishes in the oven).
2. In a baking dish, mix the pasta, chicken, spinach, and sauce.
3. Top with mozzarella cheese.
4. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes until bubbly.

9. Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

If you buy the bulk raw chicken breasts, you can make your own tenders that are healthier than frozen ones. This uses Panko breadcrumbs (sold in huge boxes at Costco) for the crunch.

Ingredients

• The Meat: 2 lbs Chicken Breasts (sliced into strips).
• The Dredge: 2 eggs (beaten).
• The Crunch: 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan and paprika.

Instructions

1. Dip the chicken strips into the egg, then press them firmly into the panko mixture.
2. Spray your air fryer basket with oil.
3. Place chicken in a single layer (don’t crowd them).
4. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway. Serve with BBQ sauce.

10. Asian Chicken Salad (Using Pre-Cooked Strips)

Costco sells “West End Cuisine” Grilled Chicken Skewers or strips in the fridge section. They are perfect for this salad, which mimics the discontinued Costco Food Court salad.

Ingredients

• The Meat: 1 package Grilled Chicken Strips (cold).
• The Greens: 1 bag Romaine lettuce or Coleslaw mix.
• The Crunch: Sliced almonds and crispy wonton strips (salad topper).
• The Dressing: Kewpie Sesame Dressing (sold at Costco) is the secret ingredient.

Instructions

1. Chop the lettuce and place it in a large bowl.
2. Slice the cold chicken strips into bite-sized pieces.
3. Toss the greens, chicken, almonds, and mandarin oranges (optional) with the Sesame dressing.
4. Top with wonton strips immediately before eating so they stay crunchy.