The Ultimate Guide to Recreating the Iconic Costco Chicken Bake at Home
What is the Chicken Bake Costco Recipe?
🧑🍳 The Costco chicken bake recipe usually includes cooked chicken breast, cheese, bacon, green onions, and Caesar dressing wrapped in pastry dough. After assembling the ingredients, they are rolled into a log shape and baked until golden brown and crispy. The outcome is a tasty handheld meal enjoyed by Costco shoppers.
Discover the secrets behind the iconic Chicken Bake Costco delight! If you’ve ever wandered through the aisles of Costco, chances are you’ve been tempted by the irresistible aroma wafting from the Costco food court.
Among various options, one standout is the famous Chicken Bake. Let’s explore this treat, looking at its ingredients and discovering what makes its flavor so delicious.
From the tender chicken breast to the crispy bacon, each component plays a crucial role in creating the perfect harmony of textures and tastes. Whether you’re a dedicated fan recreating the magic at home or a food enthusiast uncovering recipe mysteries, join us as we unveil the secrets behind the Chicken Bake Costco craze.
Get ready to excite your taste buds like never before!
Table of Contents
- What is the Costco Chicken Bake?
- Is Chicken Bake Costco Healthy?
- Chicken Bake Costco Recipe
- Chicken Bake Costco FAQs
- Final Thoughts
What is the Costco Chicken Bake?
The Costco Chicken Bake is a favorite among Costco shoppers. It’s a handheld savory pastry filled with a delicious blend of ingredients that work together perfectly to create a satisfying experience.
While specifics may vary slightly, the traditional Chicken Bake typically features tender pieces of seasoned chicken breast, savory bacon strips, creamy Caesar dressing, and gooey melted mozzarella cheese, all encased within a flaky and golden-brown hand-rolled crust.
What sets the Costco Chicken Bake apart is not just its taste, but also its convenience and affordability. It serves as a quick and satisfying meal or snack option for busy shoppers on the go.
Whether as a snack during shopping or a hearty lunch, the Chicken Bake offers a comforting experience for many. Its popularity has led home cooks to recreate the recipe, aiming to capture the essence of this beloved Costco item in their kitchens.
Overall, the Costco Chicken Bake represents a perfect marriage of convenience, affordability, and irresistible flavor, making it a perennial favorite among Costco enthusiasts everywhere.
Is Chicken Bake Costco Healthy?
Deciding if the Chicken Bake Costco is healthy relies on factors like personal diet choices and nutrition needs. Though tasty, it’s higher in calories, fat, and sodium compared to lighter meals. The dough, bacon bits, and cheese boost calorie and fat levels, while Caesar dressing may add more sodium and fat.
That said, some may argue that the Costco Chicken Bake offers nutritional value in the form of protein from the chicken breast. However, it’s essential to consider portion size and overall dietary balance.
In particular, the Kirkland Signature Chicken Bakes at Costco has the following nutritional value:
- Calories: 540
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 1370mg
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 7g
- Protein: 35g
The sodium content is very high, so if you’re watching your sodium intake, you might want to avoid these. The calories and carbs may appear high, but given the large size of one chicken bake, they don’t seem too bad. Although, note that these frozen ones are different from those sold in the food court.
Incorporating the Chicken Bake as an occasional treat or part of a balanced meal alongside healthier options like fresh vegetables or a side salad can help mitigate its less nutritious aspects.
It can be part of a balanced diet as an occasional treat or included in a meal plan that focuses on whole, nutrient-rich foods. Watching portion sizes and mixing indulgences with healthier options can let people relish Costco’s Chicken Bake without harming their health.
Don’t have a Costco membership? No problem! You can recreate this popular menu item at home with just a few simple ingredients in this Chicken Bake Costco Copycat Recipe.
Chicken Bake Costco Recipe
The Chicken Bake is a cheesy, dough-wrapped favorite from the Costco warehouse food court. However, it has undergone a price increase and is no longer freshly made on-site.
The good news is that you can recreate the recipe at home for a hot and fresh treat anytime. The outcome is a delightful mix of cheesy, gooey, creamy, salty, and decadent flavors.
Ingredients for Chicken Bake Costco Copycat
Pizza dough: The canned pizza dough is pre-shaped into a rectangle, simplifying the process of making rolls. Just cut it into 4 smaller rectangles, stretch or roll them a bit thinner, and you’re good to go! If the can is unavailable, any pizza dough, including homemade, will work too!
Chicken breast: We use boneless skinless chicken breasts. Enhance the chicken bakes by using a rotisserie chicken for the filling. Leftovers or poached chicken can also be used.
Caesar salad dressing: The rich flavor of Caesar dressing enhances these rolls, or you can use ranch dressing instead if you like.
Cheese: You can use any cheese you prefer, be it mozzarella, cheddar, provolone, parmesan, or any combination of them. For convenience, we use Italian blend cheeses in this recipe.
Here are the exact ingredients you will need:
- 1 pound pizza dough, thawed if frozen
- 1/2 cup creamy Caesar dressing, divided
- 2 cups diced cooked chicken, divided
- 1 cup crumbled thick-cut bacon (about 6 cooked slices), divided
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Italian blend cheese, divided
Instructions
Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 400°F. Use parchment paper to line a baking sheet and keep it ready.
Divide the pizza dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rectangle measuring 5×7 inches and 1/4-inch thick.
Place the rectangles with a long side in front of you. Brush each with 2 tablespoons of Caesar dressing, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup of chicken, 1/4 cup of bacon, and 1/4 cup of cheese on each rectangle over the dressing.
Starting with the long side nearest to you, tightly roll up one of the doughs into a log. Pinch the seam and ends closed, then place it seam-side down on the baking sheet. Repeat this process with the remaining dough.
Brush each chicken bake’s top and sides with additional Caesar dressing. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese evenly on top of the chicken bakes.
Bake for 15 to 17 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
This chicken bake Costco copycat is good on its own. Want to add a little extra flavor? Try topping it with some shredded cheese or your favorite dipping sauce.
You can also add different seasonings, like garlic powder or Italian seasoning, to switch up the taste. Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different toppings and flavors.
For a healthier twist, you can also substitute the chicken with vegetarian meat alternatives if you prefer. This versatile recipe is easy to customize and make your own.
Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
This Chicken Bake Costco recipe makes four servings. Each serving contains:
- Calories: 808
- Fat: 46g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Fiber: 3.5g
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Protein: 38g
- Sodium: 1305mg
Chicken Bake Costco FAQs
Can You Make Chicken Bakes in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can bake these rolls in a regular oven or an air fryer for a crispy crust. For the air fryer, set it to 320°F, place the pieces in the basket, and cook for around six minutes. Take them out and brush them with Caesar dressing and cook at 400°F for another eight minutes.
How Do You Store Costco Chicken Bake Leftovers?
Begin by letting them reach room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the fridge. Your Costco Chicken Bake leftovers stay good for 2-3 days when stored properly in the fridge.
For freezing, ensure the leftovers cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month.
Reheat your Costco Chicken Bake at 320°F in a preheated oven for about 4 minutes until heated through. Avoid the microwave to prevent sogginess.
Final Thoughts
The Costco Chicken Bake is a popular choice for shoppers because of its delicious mix of flavors and easy-to-eat design. Though not the healthiest due to its higher levels of calories, fat, and sodium, it provides a tasty treat for those looking for comfort food.
By enjoying the Chicken Bake Costco recipe in moderation and balancing it with nutritious choices, individuals can include it in their diet without compromising their health goals. Whether savoring it as a special treat during a Costco shopping trip or trying to recreate its magic at home, the Chicken Bake remains a favorite among many.
Ultimately, understanding its nutritional aspects empowers consumers to make informed choices about when and how to enjoy this iconic Chicken Bake Costco delight while maintaining a balanced approach to their overall well-being.
Check out some more innovative copycat recipes here: Pizza Hut Cinnamon Sticks, KFC Pot Pie, Olive Garden Grilled Chicken Margherita, Panda Express Black Pepper Angus Steak, and Starbucks Frappuccino.