Is Kirkland Canned Chicken Cooked In 2024? (Your Full Guide)

Kirkland Signature canned chicken is a pantry staple for many Costco shoppers. But if you‘re new to canned meats, you may be wondering – is Kirkland canned chicken fully cooked and safe to eat straight from the can?

As a consumer expert, I‘m going to give you the full scoop on Kirkland canned chicken, safety, storage, and how it compares to other brands in 2024.

Kirkland Chicken Comes Fully Cooked and Ready to Eat

The first thing to know is that yes, Kirkland canned chicken is fully cooked inside the can. Here‘s how it works:

Kirkland chicken undergoes a high-pressure canning process that heats the contents to 240°F
This high heat kills any potential bacteria, making it shelf-stable
The chicken is packed in water or broth inside the can to keep it moist

So you can enjoy Kirkland chicken directly from the can without cooking it yourself!

Safe Handling and Storage Guidelines

While canned chicken is cooked and shelf-stable when sealed, you should follow these guidelines once opened:

Refrigerate any leftover chicken within 2 hours of opening
Use within 3-4 days for optimal flavor and texture
Discard if you notice an off odor, flavor or appearance
Don‘t store opened chicken in the original can due to metal contamination risks

Properly storing opened canned chicken is important for food safety. But when sealed, it has an impressively long shelf life…

Unopened Shelf Life of 2-5 Years

One major benefit of canned chicken is its long shelf life unopened. According to the USDA:

Commercially canned chicken remains safe indefinitely when the can is in good condition
For best quality, it‘s best to use canned chicken within 2-5 years of the ‘best by‘ date

So you can stock up at Costco without worrying about canned chicken expiring before you can use it!

Where to Buy Kirkland Signature Canned Chicken

Since it‘s a Kirkland product, this canned chicken is sold exclusively at Costco warehouses and on Costco.com. It typically comes in packs of six 12.5 oz cans.

Costco almost always has it in stock both in-warehouse and online. So it‘s easy to grab a pack on your next Costco run.

How to Use Canned Chicken in Meals

The possibilities are endless for how to eat Kirkland canned chicken! Here are some easy meal ideas:

Chicken salads with lettuce or wraps
Quick protein for sandwiches
Shredded on top of pizzas
Add to casseroles like chicken pot pie
Mix into pasta dishes like chicken alfredo
Use in soups, chilis, and chowders

Canned chicken is an easy shortcut instead of cooking raw chicken from scratch.

Kirkland vs. Other Brands of Canned Chicken

So how does Kirkland canned chicken compare to other brands like Swanson or Hormel? Here‘s an expert breakdown:

Quality – Kirkland chicken contains 100% chicken breast meat. It has a texture similar to canned tuna.
Price – At around $1.10 per 12.5 oz can, it‘s priced lower than many competing national brands.
Flavor – Kirkland chicken has a mild flavor since it‘s packed in water. National brands often contain more sodium and broth flavors.

Based on my professional analysis, Kirkland is a top choice for quality, price, and versatility.

The Takeaway: Kirkland Canned Chicken Is a Pantry Hero

For Costco members, Kirkland Signature canned chicken is a budget-friendly pantry staple that can make meals so much easier. With a long shelf life, lean protein, and value price, it outshines many other brands.

So next time you need a quick protein source for dinner or meal prep, reach for Kirkland canned chicken! It provides a simple solution for nutritious meals.