Costco's food court has a new item that's going viral for all the right and wrong reasons, and health-conscious shoppers are taking notice. A five-piece chicken tender order, priced at $6.99, has appeared at select U.S. locations — and its 1,640-calorie count is sparking intense debate online about whether this budget-friendly meal is worth the nutritional cost.
First spotted at a Costco in Schaumburg, Illinois, the meal includes five large baked breaded chicken breast strips served with a dipping sauce. A TikTok video showcasing the oversized tenders quickly racked up thousands of views, with reactions ranging from excitement about the generous portions to shock over the calorie density.
1,640 Calories and 86g of Protein: What's Really on the Tray
According to the menu board captured in the viral TikTok video, a full order of Costco's new chicken tenders clocks in at 1,640 calories. That's a significant figure — roughly 65-82% of the average daily recommended caloric intake for most adults, depending on age, gender, and activity level.
On the positive side, the meal delivers 86 grams of protein, making it appealing for those focused on muscle recovery and satiety. However, the nutritional trade-offs are steep. Based on nutritional data reported on Reddit from the official menu board, the order contains approximately 5,700mg of sodium — more than double the American Heart Association's recommended daily limit of 2,300mg. The serving size is listed as 2.5 pieces (~302g), meaning the full 5-piece order weighs roughly 604 grams.
Several commenters online speculated that the dipping sauce — which early reviewers have compared to Chick-fil-A sauce — may account for a significant portion of the calorie and fat content. Costco has not released an official nutritional breakdown for the sauce separately.
From International Favorite to U.S. Test Market: The Timeline of Costco's Chicken Tenders
While American shoppers are just now getting their first taste, chicken tenders are not new to the Costco food court ecosystem internationally. Here's how the rollout unfolded:
- ~2023: Chicken tenders debut at Costco food courts in Canada, where they are served with fries for $6.99 CAD (approximately $5 USD). Canadian locations use fryers, which some members argue produces a superior product.
- 2024: Australian Costco locations begin offering the item, building a strong following among international members.
- Early May 2026: The tenders appear at a Costco in Schaumburg, Illinois, marking the first known U.S. test. A TikTok video goes viral, and food publications like Tasting Table, Delish, and Sporked publish early reviews.
- Mid-May 2026: Multiple outlets confirm the item appears to be replacing the combo calzone at select locations, though Costco has not made an official announcement. Fox News, AL.com, and TheStreet all cover the mixed consumer reactions.
TheStreet reported that one Canadian Costco member commented, "I don't know where this report is from but this has been on the menu for the last 20 years in Canada. It's what I buy every time," suggesting the item has even deeper roots north of the border.
How Costco's Chicken Tenders Compare: A Health and Value Analysis
To put the 1,640-calorie figure in context, here's how Costco's new offering stacks up against other popular restaurant chicken tender options:
According to Delish, an order of chicken tenders at The Cheesecake Factory comes with twice as many deep-fried tenders, two dipping sauces, corn, and mashed potatoes — and it only contains about 350 more calories (roughly 1,990 calories total). Considering Costco's version is baked, not fried, the nutritional density is striking.
For comparison, a standard Costco food court hot dog and soda combo — famous for its $1.50 price point since 1985 — contains approximately 540 calories. That means the chicken tender meal contains more than three times the calories of the iconic hot dog combo. A single slice of Costco's cheese pizza contains roughly 700 calories, making the tenders more than double that per serving.
Value-wise, the $6.99 price point has also drawn scrutiny. As one Reddit user pointed out, Canadian Costco locations offer four chicken strips with fries for $6.99 CAD (~$5 USD). In the U.S., shoppers receive one extra tender but no fries — and pay nearly $2 more.
Mixed Early Reviews: Taste vs. Health Concerns
Early reviews of the new chicken tenders are sharply divided. Some shoppers are enthusiastic about the flavor and portion size. "I got them today. They're huge. Really good," one Reddit user wrote.
However, Dennis Lee of The Takeout offered a starkly different assessment, describing the breading as so thick and heavy that it had an almost "grainy" texture. While he found the meat itself fairly moist, he said the entire meal was "entirely too salty" and wrote, "I was only able to eat one strip before my instincts told me eating any more was a bad idea for my health."
On social media, the calorie count became the dominant talking point. Comments ranged from disbelief to resignation. "Bruh, that's 3/4th of my recommended daily intake," one TikTok user wrote. Others questioned whether the dipping sauce was responsible for a disproportionate share of the calories.
Still, not all feedback was negative. "Those look amazing," one user commented, while others expressed hope that the item would expand to more locations so they could try it themselves.
What This Means for Health-Conscious Shoppers
For fitness-focused Costco members, the chicken tenders present a classic dilemma: high protein content versus high calorie and sodium counts. At 86g of protein, the meal certainly supports muscle repair and growth. But the 1,640 calories and staggering 5,700mg of sodium make it difficult to fit into most weight management or heart-healthy eating plans.
To put that sodium number in perspective, the American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300mg per day — and ideally less than 1,500mg for most adults. A single order of these tenders contains nearly four times that ideal limit.
For those who want to try the tenders without derailing their nutrition goals, consider splitting the order. The menu board lists a serving size of 2.5 pieces at 820 calories and 43g of protein — a much more manageable macro profile that could fit into a balanced daily eating plan. Pairing half an order with a side salad or vegetables would create a more nutrient-dense meal.
Where Things Stand Now: Latest on Costco's Chicken Tenders Rollout
As of mid-May 2026, Costco has not made any official announcement about the chicken tenders' availability or whether the calzone is being permanently phased out. The item remains in testing at select locations, primarily in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Costco has not responded to media inquiries from Fox News Digital or other outlets regarding the menu change. The company is known for methodically testing new food court items before committing to nationwide rollouts, so the current limited availability may be part of a broader evaluation process.
Some shoppers have noted that the calzone — itself a replacement for the beloved combo pizza that was discontinued in 2020 — appears to be disappearing from menus at locations carrying the chicken tenders. This has fueled speculation that the tenders are a direct replacement, though Costco has not confirmed this.
What to Expect Next: The Road Ahead for Costco's Chicken Tenders
Industry observers expect Costco to continue evaluating customer reactions to the chicken tenders throughout the remainder of 2026. If the test proves successful, a nationwide rollout could follow within months. However, the mixed consumer response — particularly regarding the calorie count — may prompt the company to consider adjustments.
Possible outcomes include modified portion sizes, lighter breading options, or the addition of healthier sides like vegetables or a side salad to accompany the meal. Given Costco's history of listening to member feedback (the company brought back the churro in a new format after customer demand), the final product may look different from what's currently being tested.
For now, Costco members in the Chicago area can sample the new tenders and decide for themselves whether the protein payoff is worth the caloric investment.
Key Takeaways: Everything You Need to Know About Costco's Chicken Tenders
- Price: $6.99 for a 5-piece order with dipping sauce
- Calories: 1,640 per order (820 per 2.5-piece serving)
- Protein: 86g per order (43g per serving)
- Sodium: Approximately 5,700mg per order
- Preparation: Baked, not fried
- Availability: Select Chicago-area locations in testing phase
- Status: May be replacing the combo calzone; nationwide rollout unconfirmed
- International history: Available in Canada (since ~2023) and Australia (since 2024)
