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I’m not sure what it is about Costco, but for some reason, I’m much more likely to buy heat-and-eat meals there than at any other grocery store chain. Perhaps it has something to do with the endless free samples or the fact that I somehow always end up there during lunchtime.
No matter the case, I always seem to find one or two new convenience foods to try every time I visit. My latest find, which I keep going back to, is WestEnd Cuisine Grilled Mediterranean Style Chicken Skewers.
WestEnd Cuisine’s Mediterranean Style Grilled Chicken Skewers
Price: $19.28 for (2) 14-ounce packages
Why I Love Them: These tender, juicy skewers are a versatile lunch option, packed with protein.
Why I Love These Costco Chicken Skewers
In our household, I work from home most days while my husband heads to the office every morning. Regardless, we both appreciate a hearty, healthy lunch that’s ready to eat in minutes. These WestEnd chicken skewers tick both boxes.
With 28 grams of protein per serving (two skewers) and just 150 calories, these skewers have been a great way to load up on a healthy dose of lean protein midday to help get us through the workday.
What I love most about these skewers is that they can be heated and enjoyed in so many different ways. Since my husband works in an office, he typically microwaves his skewers, while I either throw them on our stovetop cast-iron grill pan or pop them in the oven until heated through. All methods yield wonderfully tender and juicy chicken every time.
Credit: Simply Recipes / Costco
How I Like To Serve Grilled Chicken Skewers
I know some people are content eating the same thing every day for lunch, but that’s definitely not me. I crave variety in my meals; luckily, these chicken skewers fit the bill.
While advertised as ‘Mediterranean Style,’ the skewers have a pretty mild flavor. I thought perhaps they’d have a strong garlic, lemon, or oregano flavor based on their description, but I find they can easily be paired with an array of sauces and sides to keep things interesting at lunchtime. Here are just a few of my family’s favorite ways to enjoy this healthy and convenient Costco food find:
Teriyaki Rice Bowl: Serve these skewers with a side of leftover steamed white or brown rice (microwavable rice works too) and add frozen broccoli, sliced red bell pepper, or pea pods to a microwave-safe container along with a generous drizzle of teriyaki sauce. To enjoy, microwave until everything is heated through and then toss to coat in the sauce.
Buffalo Chicken Skewer Salad: Once heated through, baste the chicken skewers with your favorite buffalo-style sauce. Then, serve over a bed of greens with sliced grape tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, julienne carrots, and blue cheese. Don’t forget to toss with a zesty homemade ranch dressing. Even easier: Serve skewers over your favorite bagged salad kit.
Chicken Skewers With Pesto Zoodles: If you want a low-carb lunch option, sauté a batch of zoodles in a skillet with olive oil while the chicken skewers warm up. (Zoodles, or zucchini noodles, can be spiralized at home. Many grocers carry them to, available in the refrigerated produce section.) Toss the zoodles in pesto along with a few grape tomatoes and mozzarella pearls, and then serve with the skewers on top.
Chicken Parmesan Skewers: Pair these skewers with a bed of your favorite pasta tossed in marinara sauce. For this variation, I’ll warm the skewers in the oven, then melt a few slices of mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan on top using the broiler before serving over the pasta.
Chicken Skewers and Veggie Skewers: These grilled chicken skewers pair perfectly with a grilled vegetable skewer. I’ll often make a quick skewer of sweet bell pepper, zippy onion, mushrooms, and pineapple to cook alongside the chicken. Since these quick-cooking veggies become tender in roughly the same amount of time it takes for the chicken to warm through, they’re a match made in heaven. I like to brush the veggies and chicken with balsamic dressing as they cook to infuse them with flavor and encourage a bit of caramelization.
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