Its one of the most coveted Aldi shopping finds: A bag of frozen breaded chicken fillets that puts fans of the discount grocery chain into a frenzy.
Kirkwood chicken breast fillets, also known as “red bag chicken” (RBC) by those who love it, is a hot item at most Aldi stores, flying off of freezer shelves at the low price of $5.99 a bag.
In fact, there are more than 10,000 members in a Facebook group dedicated exclusively to sharing photos, recipes and tips for using the breaded chicken fillets.
It was there that I turned after finding my own bag of RBC at my local Aldi.
Lauren Foley, a member of the group who lives in Vermont, says she drives 45 minutes to her closest Aldi to buy the Kirkwood fillets, which she often pairs with Aldis brioche buns to make the perfect copycat chicken sandwich.
“It tastes like Chick-fil-A and Im states away from one,” Foley told TODAY Food. “Its the only thing that squelches that craving. I also use it for salads and on rice with teriyaki sauce or just by itself.”
Instructions pinned in the Facebook group recommend cooking the fillets in an air fryer at 400 F for 10 minutes per side. Im not one to argue with chicken cutlet aficionados, so I took the recommended approach when cooking dinner for my own family.
The chicken fillets can also be pan fried, baked or microwaved, making them a truly simple addition to mealtime.
I wanted to experience the breaded fillets as-is the first time, so I served them alongside some roasted potatoes and vegetables with a selection of dipping sauces. They were Southern-style chicken perfection, with a crispy, golden breading and a moist white-meat center. My kids asked for seconds, so we tried chopping up the fillets to make a wrap, which was also a success.
A spokesperson for Aldi told TODAY that, unlike many of the chains seasonal offerings, Kirkwood chicken fillets should be available in stores year-round. Due to high demand in some areas, however, customers report stores being sold out of the product.
In fact, when I posted in the RBC Facebook group asking for information about the chicken, more than one commenter complained that once the word gets out about how delicious it is, itll be even more impossible to locate in stores.
“At our core, were passionate about offering Aldi shoppers high-quality foods and products they enjoy and keep coming back for again and again,” the Aldi spokesperson said. “While we arent biased to one product, we love seeing how much shoppers love the RBC, the community it has created online and the countless recipes fans are creating and sharing.”
Among the RBC recipes posted online are salads topped with the breaded chicken and pasta topped with chicken Marsala and chicken Parmesan made with the cutlets.
“Ive made (sandwiches) the original way like Chick-fil-A on brioche with pickles, cordon bleu-style with ham and Swiss, chicken Parmesan-style and Buffalo-style,” said Tina Perretta, an RBC Facebook group member who lives in New York. “Ive made salads like strawberry poppy seed and Cobb salad. The possibilities are endless.”
The chicken fillets were a hit with my family. And, since I grabbed an extra bag while I was shopping at Aldi, well definitely be making them again. As a busy mom, having a delicious way to throw chicken into a recipe quickly on a weeknight takes an extra task off my to-do list.
“I have been eating it for years,” said Walski. “My family loves it, too. Thankfully, my local store carries a good variety of frozen chicken and always seems to have it in stock.”
How To Make Chick-Fil-A Sauce
How to Make Aldi Copycat Chick-fil-a Sandwich
1. For BEST results, use an air fryer to cook the Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Breast Fillets. This ensures the chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Air fryer cooking times vary, but we have success at 400 degrees for 10 minutes on each side.
After the first ten minutes flip the fillets and adjust cooking time if needed. The chicken patties are pre-cooked, so there isn’t a concern on reaching an internal cooking temperature – just a heated interior and crispy exterior that isn’t overdone.
The bag of Kirkwood breaded chicken breast fillets features an oven-cooking method. This would be the second-best option with oven cooking temperature at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes on each side. We do not recommend heating in the microwave as this will not result in a copycat Chick-fil-a sandwich.
2. Lightly butter and toast Brioche Buns.
3. Assemble breaded chicken fillets on toasted buns with dill pickle chips. Enjoy!
If you don’t have an air fryer and missed out on the Ambiano Air Fryer at Aldi, consider picking one up from Amazon (these are affiliate links and we may receive a small commission) — it will change how you cook fried foods forever!
These are the ingredients if you just want the copycat chick-fil-a sandwich. If you’re like us and can’t have Chick-fil-a without Chick-fil-a sauce, there’s an Aldi copycat for that, too!
Ingredients
What Is Red Bag Chicken?
Have you ever cooked red bag chicken? It’s a delicious dish that is easy to make and perfect for a weeknight meal.
You might have seen Kirkwood Frozen Breaded Chicken Breast Fillets if you shop at Aldi’s. These go by the popular name by Chick Fil A Lovers and Aldi Shoppers, known as “Red Bag Chicken.”
Found in the frozen food section at Aldi’s, They are made with breaded chicken breast and are fully cooked. So, making these in the air fryer is amazing!
FAQ
How do you cook Kirkwood chicken breast in an air fryer?
How do you cook Aldi chicken breast in an air fryer?
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