Okay, we need to talk about the Costco deli case, because it just got a LOT more interesting. Costco’s new Kirkland Signature Chicken & Waffles kit has been flying off shelves since it landed this month — and the reviews are, uh, let’s say “spirited.” Half the internet is calling it a genius $16 dinner shortcut. The other half says skip it. We dug through the receipts (literally) to give you the real scoop before your next warehouse run.
So What’s Actually In the Box?
The kit rings up around $16.15 for roughly 2.3 pounds of food, which breaks down to about $6.99–$7.93 per pound depending on your location. Inside the tray: four pieces of Grade-A breaded chicken thighs, a slab of all-butter Belgian waffle, a cup of pure maple syrup, and a cup of hot honey for drizzling. It’s fully cooked, so all you’re doing is reheating — Costco shoppers say the air fryer is the move for getting the chicken crispy again instead of soggy from the microwave.
“Air fryer = hero. We tried it so you don’t have to (or maybe you do).”
The Internet Is Split — Hard
Here’s where it gets juicy. On one side, shoppers are calling it “ridiculously good” and a total weeknight win for the price. On the other side, there’s some real disappointment brewing. One shopper summed up the backlash pretty bluntly:
“Meh… the waffles are super sweet, almost too much. And the chicken is bland and only works with the hot honey sauce. I wouldn’t get it again.”
Another put it even more simply: “I’m sorry, my wife and I bought these and we love Costco but these just weren’t good, lol.” Meanwhile, other reviewers say the maple-forward chicken and crisp-edged waffle are exactly what a lazy Sunday breakfast-for-dinner needs, as long as you don’t skip the hot honey (fair warning: it brings real heat, not just a name).
So who’s right? Honestly, both camps have a point — this is a love-it-or-hate-it item, kind of like Trader Joe’s viral S’mores Bars that split shoppers down the middle earlier this fall. Sweetness tolerance seems to be the dividing line: if you love a syrup-drenched brunch plate, you’ll probably love this. If you want your fried chicken savory and unaccompanied, it might not be your thing.
How to Actually Make It Taste Amazing
Based on the reviews flooding in, a few tweaks seem to fix most of the complaints. First: air fry the chicken at 375°F for about 8–10 minutes instead of microwaving it — this brings back the crunch that gets lost in reheating. Second: go light on the syrup and heavier on the hot honey if you’re worried about the sweetness overload. Third: if you want a savory side to balance the plate, a scoop of coleslaw or a simple green salad cuts the richness nicely.
If chicken and waffles isn’t calling your name this week, Costco’s deli case has plenty of other easy dinner wins — we’re still obsessed with how far Costco’s $4.99 rotisserie chicken stretches across five different weeknight dinners. And if you’re the type who lines up for anything with a cult following, don’t sleep on Costco’s twice-baked cinnamon croissants, which have basically zero haters so far.
The Verdict
Our take: for $16, this is a low-risk way to try something different on a busy night, especially if your household already leans sweet-and-savory. Just manage expectations — it’s a fun novelty meal, not a five-star restaurant plate, and the air fryer really is non-negotiable if you want the chicken to hold its crunch. Grab one tray before your next trip and decide for yourself which camp you’re in.
Have you tried Costco’s chicken and waffles kit yet? Let us know your verdict in the comments, and tell us what you air-fried to perfection this week!
Photo credits: Image 1 (product) courtesy of Costco Food Review. Image 2 (storefront) courtesy of Parade.
