This Is the Second-Best Chicken at Costco

Costco rotisserie chicken is my lifeline. Whenever I’m craving chicken, I picture the juicy, suspiciously large, succulent bird from the popular bulk marketplace. With absolutely zero shame. Why would I roast a chicken when Costco has mastered it and it's only—and always—priced at just $4.99?

But sometimes I don’t have the energy to go to Costco for just-roasted chicken and I still want something fast and reliable. So I reach into the freezer and grab WestEnd Cuisine Grilled Mediterranean Style Chicken Skewers ($21.49 for a 14-pack, at least in Los Angeles, where I live)—I always stock up on this Costco find. That’s a mouthful of a name, and it’s also a mouthful of flavor. There are two packages with seven skewers each, which is an ideal amount for a couple, small family, or a single person (hello, me) who is meal prepping or wants a few variations of chicken in a week.

I wouldn’t say that the flavor profile screams Mediterranean, but it has a nice balance of salt, pepper, lemon, garlic, and onion. The simplicity allows it to be transformed into anything you dream of. For me, that’s usually on top of a Caesar or chopped salad, tucked inside a pita for a shawarma situation, or on its own with a drizzle of pesto or spicy dipping sauce. I’ve even re-marinated them with an Omsom Vietnamese Lemongrass BBQ starter before grilling to make summer rolls.

On the back of the package, there are three ways to prepare the chicken and my ranking is: 

1. On a grill pan or skillet: cook over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
2. In the oven: set to 400°F for 8 to 9 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
3. In the microwave: cook for 3 minutes—that’s right—flipping once halfway through.

All three options take less than 10 minutes from start to finish. A grill pan or skillet allows for more caramelization and browning while maintaining a tender interior, which made it number one for me. Surprisingly the microwave doesn’t make them complete cardboard, but they are juicier when reheated in the oven or air fryer—just follow the oven instructions for it—and the most hands-off.

Although Costco rotisserie chicken will always be number one in my heart, these skewers are a close second to always have around. Reliable, adaptable, and served on a stick—what more could you ask for in a piece of chicken? Okay, maybe if it was fried, but that’s for another time.