Costco Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken Review

The Costco Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken is well known for being cheap and convenient. People line up to get one warm off the rotisserie! Why is this chicken from Costco so famous and popular? Find out here why customers flock to this product!

Image of the Costco Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken container sitting on a table, top down image.
Costco Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken.

When Sean and I were in Hawaii years ago we went to Costco for quick and easy dinners. One dinner we came up with was this Costco Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken with the Costco Kirkland Signature Quinoa Salad. This is the first time I was introduced to the rotisserie chicken from Costco and I’ve had it a handful of times since. I picked one up recently and decided to review it here!

Other pre-made meals from Costco are the Kirkland Signature Roasted Garlic Chicken Legs, Kirkland Signature Chicken Pot Pie, Kirkland Signature Chicken Tacos, Kirkland Signature Chicken Chow Mein, Kirkland Signature Chicken Penne Alfredo and the Kirkland Signature Seasoned Chicken Wings.

Closeup image of the Costco rotisserie chicken label showing the price and best before date.
The chicken has a best-before date that’s one day after it’s packaged.

Location in Store

You can find this in the pre-made meal and deli section at Costco, the item number is 347937.

Image of the rotisserie chicken out of the tray and sitting on a white plate.
There’s a lot of meat for what you pay!

Taste

The Costco Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken definitely has tasty parts such as the white breast meat but I also find it has parts I find unappetizing. For example, there are some fatty and inedible pieces as well as gristle. All the oil and congealed liquid in the bottom of the tray kind of turns me off.

Image of the rotisserie chicken all cut up and served on a white plate, top down image.
Carved and ready to eat.

The chicken is seasoned really well, and that saltiness is addictive. I like chicken skin in small quantities and like that the skin is crispy and golden brown.

You can tell there’s a lot of oil in the chicken, it’s very shiny and glistens and also tastes pretty oily. Even the breast meat is suspiciously super moist! Day to day I prefer my chicken less oily and not so salty for health reasons. But I do admit the parts of the rotisserie chicken that are edible are pretty darn tasty.

Top down image of the full chicken sitting in the tray with the lid off.
There’s quite a bit of liquid and oil sitting in the bottom of the tray.

Cost

For $7.99 Canadian, you get an entire Costco Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken. The price is really reasonable. Even though there are bits of chicken I don’t eat, it’s a lot of chicken for $7.99.

One reason Costco chicken is so popular is that Costco hasn’t raised the price of rotisserie chicken despite inflation. The chickens aren’t actually profitable for Costco but they make money off the numerous other products shoppers pick up when they go in to buy a chicken. It’s hard to enter Costco and only buy one item and Costco knows this!

Convenience

This is the most convenient way to buy chicken. You can do so much with one! Enjoy it with some rice and vegetables, and use it to make sandwiches, casseroles, soups or even your own chicken pot pie. I think a lot of people pick these chickens up when they’re out of ideas for dinner, have a busy night or need to find something that’s quick, reasonably priced and easy.

Costco rotisserie chicken storage instructions from the label on the container.
Storage instructions.

The best-before date is only one day after it’s packed. The chicken either needs to be stored at four degrees celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit) or lower. Alternatively, it can be stored at 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher.

Image of a drumstick, dark meat and white meat from the rotisserie chicken served on a white plate.
Drumstick, dark meat and white meat.

To reheat the Costco Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken, remove the packaging and transfer it to a microwaveable plate. Then heat on high for three to five minutes in the microwave until the temperature reaches 74 degrees celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Nutrition

Calories

A 100-gram edible portion (this means no bones) is 140 calories, seven grams of fat, 350 milligrams of sodium, two grams of carbohydrates, one gram of fibre, zero grams of sugar and 18 grams of protein. A 100-gram serving isn’t actually that much so it seems easy to eat a decent amount of fat when having the Costco Rotisserie Chicken.

The amount of protein is always good because it keeps you full for longer and chicken is notorious for being high in protein!

Costco rotisserie chicken nutrition facts from the label on the container.
Costco Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken nutrition facts.

Ingredients

I think there’s a reason the rotisserie chicken tastes so good and that’s because there are a lot of things added to it! The Costco Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken definitely isn’t your healthiest chicken option. There’s the fatty skin, the dark meat,. added oil and a lot of sodium. It’s not the worst option for a meal, but also not as healthy as some may think.

There are also a few ingredients that I’m not in love with the sound or Google-sourced description of, like tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, silica and sodium triphosphate.

Costco rotisserie chicken ingredients from the label on the container.
Ingredients.

Scoring

Taste: 8/10 (The parts that are edible are pretty tasty).

Cost: 10/10

Convenience: 10/10

Nutrition: 3/10

Overall

Must buy!

If given the choice, I prefer to make my own chicken at home using Costco Kirkland Signature Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts. However, if you need a quick, convenient meal and want lots of protein, I definitely wouldn’t hesitate to recommend a Costco Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken just based on the price alone!

What are your thoughts on the Costco Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken?

Please note that this review was not paid for or sponsored by any third party. This product was purchased by Costcuisine for the purpose of producing this review. The opinions in this review are strictly those of Costcuisine. Costcuisine is not affiliated with Costco or any of its suppliers. In the event that Costcuisine receives compensation for a post from the manufacturer of a product or some other third party, the arrangement will be clearly disclosed (including where the manufacturer of a product provides Costcuisine with a free sample of the product).

Join the Costcuisine email list - never miss a review!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Please note that Costcuisine is not associated with Costco.

77 thoughts on “Costco Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken Review”

  1. Was just looking at the hand-pluck rotisserie chicken and getting concerned with some of its ingredients, BUT the ingredients in this chicken are a non-issue.

    Other than containing a bit more sodium than I would prefer, they are just fine. So, I would rate the nutrition much higher, like a 6-8 (not 10 due to sodium).

    And yes, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, silica and sodium triphosphate are GRAS.

    Reply
  2. I am pre-diabetic and am watching my fat and salt intake to avoid worsening my fatty liver. So I wash the salt and liquid fat off the chicken when I get it home. It also means I eat less of teh preservatives etc.

    Reply
    • The saline is injected into the chicken. So you won’t be able to wash it off if salt is your concerned. The process is called chicken plumping. It also makes sure any of the preservatives are well injected into the meat as well. Here’s a random article of Google to help explain the process.
      https://www.premierfoodsgroup.com/premier-blog/2016/12/19/chicken-plumping-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-affect-my-chicken

      Reply
  3. It’s refreshing to see a fast-food chain that is transparent about its nutrition information. It helps me make informed choices about what to order and ensures I stay on track with my dietary goals.

    Reply
  4. Costco is the same as every other manufacturer. I sell Tastykakes and every new CEO or boss thinks that they know better. Costco added sodium to make it last longer on the shelf. Just like T-kake did. To the bosses, keep a great product great.

    Reply
  5. I buy the rotisserie chicken about once a month and make chicken salad with it. They have definitely change the recipe. It is so so so much more salty. I used to have add salt in it but not anymore. They are just like every other company that makes a good product. Some NEW boss or ceo has to make a change. Please go back to the old product.

    Reply
  6. Did you eat the chicken when you picked it up? You didn’t? If you took it home the chicken has cooled. Use the reheating instructions included on the container (We use the one hour in the oven set of instructions.) Get the chicken back to proper temperature and enjoy!

    Reply
    • The chicken may look nice breast side.skin should crispy not sagging.the bottom looks gross to the eye not cook enough. White Disgusting skin and meat.light pinkish color between leg and thigh.and it Taste like Chernobyl nuclear plant. Make sure you have plenty of toilet paper and Pepto bismo.garrantee you will have a hell a night from hell

      Reply
  7. This just in …. an article talking about people having issues after consuming this product. It gives new meaning to the phrase … “crap shoot!”

    I suspect this is location specific. I personally have never come across an issue and I have eaten a few dozen of these from literally dozens of locations.

    ______________________________________________

    https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/nutrition/costco-customers-reporting-stomach-issues-after-eating-rotisserie-chicken/ar-AA1ebrCL?rc=1&ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=f15979ce3eb04fc9b3248559b821cb0a&ei=14

    Reply
  8. I am really put out by the Rotesserie Chicken at Costco not being cooked totally. If I wanted to have to cook chicken, I would buy it raw. This has happened the last 3 times I have purchased the chicken. I think they are trying to get them out too fast to sell more. You need to extend the cook time by atleast 10 minutes. I had to cook part of our chicken tonight in the air fryer before being able to eat it.

    Reply
    • I have wondered if undercooking is deliberate knowing most cooks reheat in some way and it is a way to avoid being too dry.

      Reply
    • Please stop with the incorrect info (check with your local warehouse if you don’t believe me).

      Costco chickens are fully cooked and each are temperature checked before being sold.

      The brine and rotisserie process is what makes it look pink and slimy.

      If you want to reheat or cook longer that is your choice but the chickens are sold fully cooked.

      Reply
  9. My chicken in bag now has wheat in .I am celiac used to pick them up once in awhile. This is not right because it still says they are safe for celiacs.it is not

    Reply
  10. Haven’t bought one lately so I can’t speak to shrinkage, but I like these so much. A meal, then sandwiches, then into soup. Freeze bones, skin, other inedible parts for stock.

    Reply
  11. Why does Cosco inject phosphorus in their chickens?
    Some people on dialysis are not aware of this. It should be on the label.

    Reply
    • Where do you think the author got the ingredients information? It is on the label, and there is even a picture of the label in the article. It’s tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, a very common and approved food additive (keeps the roast chicken from falling apart and helps texture).

      Reply
  12. The chicken I bought last week was smaller & dry compared to the usual. Inflation seems to have taken its toll ☹️

    Reply
  13. I can’t go to Costco without bringing home a rotisserie chicken. It’s a cheap dinner and leftovers for lunch the next day! Can’t go wrong.
    To the person who commented they cost 4.99 in the states and 7.99 in Canada, they have to factor in the exchange rate , and the difference is minimal. Regardless, it’s a bargain!

    Reply
    • Allez dans différentes épiceries et le prix sera double de chez Costco et vous aurez pratiquement des os. Le faire cuire soi-même ? Ça n’en vaut pas la peine. Qui se préoccupe de ce qui est écrit sur l’emballage, il y a longtemps que nous aurions pu être empoisonnés avec tous les produits de conservations que les compagnies mettent dans toutes les choses que nous achetons et ce.. depuis des décennies

      Reply
  14. So it’s not Costco rotisserie chicken, per se that’s unhealthy. It’s a whole rotisserie chicken that’s unhealthy according because of the skin and dark meat and all the preservatives.

    FYI, as for the number of grams of fat in white meat vs dark meat, dark meat is actually healthier for you. Yes, there is more fat on dark meat than there is on a breast. However, it’s the good kind. Not all fat is bad. Another myth. Monounsaturated fat — the kind that’s in chicken thighs — can help aid in weight loss, control and reduce cholesterol numbers, and even lower your risk of heart disease and cancer. The American Heart Association even recommends that the majority of your daily fat intake should be of the monounsaturated kind. And as far as flavor goes, chicken thighs win before you even start the seasoning or marinading them. Because they’re dark meat, chicken thighs naturally have a more intense and flavorful edge to them, not to mention thighs cost less here in the US and Canada. Anywhere else in the world, breasts are cheaper, because most people think white meat is inferior tasting. Dark meat is also easier to cook. Thighs are extremely forgiving when it comes to cook times. Cook them for several minutes after they’re done, they’re still moist and juicy. However, do that with breasts and they go from tender and flavorful to bone-dry and just plain sad after a few too many minutes of cooking. Dark meat rules!!!

    Reply
  15. The packaging has now changed to a sealed bag – there’s now no chance for the chicken juices to spill out of the container. A creative improvement.

    Yet, I should have weighed the chicken because when I cut it up into dinner portions, it seemed that I ended up with less than usual. But I’m not 100% sure – perhaps someone else can confirm.

    Reply
  16. I Always buy a chicken when i go to cosco.you need to eat it the same day you buy the chicken.dont put it in fridge unless you plan on making chicken salad with it or chicken sandwich.you need to eat it same day or that evening.the juices and flavor are delicious.skin is delicious.the chicken is very moist and falls right off the bone.good choice.dont miss out.

    Reply
  17. Wondering if anyone else has experienced this.
    I am searching to find out if the chicken I just purchased from Costco is the same size as the one I purchased in December. The packaging has changed. This is the same packaging that BJ’s in the states use. I usually have dinner for two with the chicken and leftovers to make a beautiful chicken salad. This time there is not enough to make anything except stock. This bag is horrible, I placed it on the floor of the back seat of the car and still, it leaked! Wow, good thing it wasn’t on my seat! In Quebec, this chicken cost $7.99 in the states it’s only $4.99. I really feel like this time the chicken is much smaller I also noticed that the liquid from the chicken is greater.

    Reply
    • Hi Lisa – I just bought a Costco chicken yesterday. At a Costco, west of Toronto.

      I always cut up the chicken when I get home – into dinner portions for 2 people. I noticed as well – that I had 1 less Ziplock bag of portioned chicken to freeze. I thought I was imagining it, but after reading your thoughts – apparently not.

      What a disappointment – here’s yet another example of shrinkflation. You get less product for the same price.

      Reply

Leave a Comment