Costco Food Court Chicken Tenders: Price, Calories, & US Test Locations (2026)
Yes, Costco is officially testing Chicken Tenders in United States food courts as of May 2026. Priced at $6.99 for a massive 5-piece basket with signature dipping sauce, the new item is currently running in a regional test phase across select Midwest warehouses, where it is actively replacing the Kirkland Signature Combo Calzone.
While Costco Canada members have long enjoyed crispy chicken strips and fries as a permanent menu staple, American shoppers have historically been left out. This new 2026 rollout marks the first time U.S. warehouses are serving a hot, fresh chicken finger option at the food court counter.
The 2026 US Costco Chicken Tenders Rollout: What We Know
The new menu addition first went viral when shoppers spotted a brand-new placard at the Schaumburg, Illinois warehouse in the Chicagoland area.
What is the Costco Chicken Tender Price?
The new item is officially listed as the 5-Piece Breaded Chicken Breast Strips & Dipping Sauce for $6.99.
While $6.99 is on the higher end of the traditionally ultra-cheap Costco food court pricing spectrum (sitting well above the legendary $1.50 hot dog combo), the sheer portion size easily rivals standalone fast-food chains like Raising Cane’s or Chick-fil-A. The entire container weighs over a pound, making it large enough for two average eaters to split.
The Menu Shakeup: Goodbye Calzone
To make room for the new chicken fingers, Costco is actively phasing out the Kirkland Signature Combo Calzone. The calzone, which originally debuted in May 2025, received highly polarizing reviews from members over its year-long run, prompting the food court division to pivot to a crowd-pleasing chicken option.
Costco Chicken Tenders Nutrition Facts & Ingredients
Before you place your order at the self-service kiosk, you should know that this meal packs a massive nutritional punch. Because the serving sizes are so generous, the calorie counts are eye-popping.
| Metric | Nutritional Value (Full Order with Sauce) |
| Calories | 1,640 calories |
| Protein | 86g |
| Fat | 94g |
| Carbohydrates | 122g |
| Sodium | 5,740mg |
Warning on Sodium Content: The full 5-piece basket contains nearly double the FDA’s recommended daily allowance of sodium. Much of this salt comes directly from a heavy brining process used on the white breast meat to keep it moist during the cooking process.
Oven-Baked vs. Deep-Fried: How They Are Made
The biggest structural difference between the U.S. and international versions comes down to kitchen equipment.
- The Canadian Setup: Costco Canada food courts are equipped with deep fryers, allowing them to serve ultra-crispy chicken strips alongside fresh french fries or Poutine.
- The U.S. Setup: Installing commercial deep fryers across hundreds of U.S. warehouses requires massive infrastructure capital and zoning changes. To bypass this, U.S. Costco food courts are baking the chicken tenders in their high-volume pizza conveyor ovens.
Taste Test & Honest Food Review: Are They Any Good?
Early food critics and Reddit threads are deeply divided over the new baked chicken strips.
The Pros:
- High-Quality Meat: Reviewers universally agree that the chicken breast meat inside the breading is incredibly thick, premium, and surprisingly moist for being baked rather than fried.
- The Signature Dipping Sauce: The included dipping sauce is a massive home run. It is a smoky, sweet, mayonnaise-based orange sauce that tastes like a hybrid of Chick-fil-A sauce and honey mustard.
The Cons:
- The Crust Texture: Because the tenders are run through a baking oven, the exterior breading lacks that airy, shatteringly crisp crunch of a deep-fried finger. Instead, the crust can feel dense, thick, and slightly grainy.
- Extreme Saltiness: Multiple reviewers noted that after eating two or three pieces, the heavy salt profile from the brine and the seasoned flour becomes overwhelming.
FAQs
Where can I buy Costco chicken tenders in the US?
As of May 2026, the chicken tenders are strictly in a regional testing phase. They are currently available at six Chicagoland, Illinois warehouses (including the Schaumburg location) and select test markets across the Midwest.
When will Costco chicken strips roll out nationwide?
Costco Wholesale has not yet officially confirmed a nationwide launch date. The company traditionally runs food court tests for 3 to 6 months to evaluate operational speed, ingredient supply chains, and customer feedback before deciding on a nationwide rollout.
Do the US Costco chicken tenders come with fries?
No. Unlike the Canadian menu item, the U.S. version includes five chicken strips and a large tub of dipping sauce only. There are no french fries included.
