Costco Rolls Out $6.99 Chicken Strips Nationwide, Sparking Mixed Reviews

Costco has rolled out chicken strips to its food court menu nationwide after testing them in select markets since May. The meal includes five large breaded chicken breast strips and dipping sauce for $6.99, totaling 1,640 calories and 86 grams of protein. The addition marks a rare expansion of Costco’s famously affordable food court, though shoppers remain divided on whether the strips live up to the hype surrounding their launch.

What the new menu item includes

The chicken strips basket contains five large breaded chicken breast strips paired with a container of orange-colored dipping sauce for $6.99. The complete meal totals 1,640 calories, with the sauce alone contributing roughly 510 calories. Without sauce, the five strips deliver approximately 1,130 calories while maintaining the same 86 grams of protein, according to food influencers tracking the nutritional details.

How the sauce compares to competitors

Reviewers have compared the dipping sauce to sauces from popular chicken chains, with many describing it as similar to Chick-fil-A’s honey mustard or honey barbecue sauce. Food blogger Lucas Gomes, known as @therealkirklandking, posted on Instagram that the sauce does not taste like Chick-fil-A sauce but found it enjoyable. Some influencers theorized it resembles a blend of Chick-fil-A’s honey mustard and their signature sauce.

Shoppers divided on quality and value

Reactions to the chicken strips have split sharply on social media. Some customers praised the generous portion size and called the meal a strong value, with one Instagram commenter noting they felt full after eating only three pieces. Others criticized the chicken for being salty, dry, or overly breaded, with one reviewer calling it a “rare Costco L,” or loss. Influencer accounts posted videos showing the strips were enormous in size, though texture and seasoning remained points of contention.

Part of Costco’s broader menu evolution

The chicken strips join a food court lineup anchored by Costco’s iconic $1.50 hot dog and soda combo, oversized pizza slices, and various sandwiches and desserts. At $6.99, the strips cost more than the signature hot dog deal. Costco has made several notable menu changes in recent years, including replacing its churro with a large chocolate chip cookie and introducing new sandwich options. The chicken strips represent the first major protein addition to the food court in years.

Final Thoughts

Costco’s chicken strips expansion shows the retailer testing new ways to drive food court traffic and membership value. With Meyka grading COST a B+ and forecasting $1,096.63 by year-end, the stock remains fairly valued despite mixed customer reception on this single menu item.

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