The Companionship of Costco Rotisserie Chicken
Appreciating the role of Costco in my personal development.
Queue lines at a Costco Wholesale warehouse often exist under one of two circumstances:
Customers are ready to pay for their purchase
There aren’t any rotisserie chickens on the shelf
Otherwise, the rest of the Costco store experience can be best compared to naval exploration. To best navigate through the vaguely marked aisles and the wild sea of oversized shopping carts, customers must chart their course according to their needs. Product availability is as fickle as the winds and tides, changing based on the season and location. However, the meat section remains a reliable constant, like the sun across the warehouse horizon.
Since its launch in 1994, Costco’s rotisserie chicken has become a renowned Kirkland Signature product. With the warehouse retailer selling the product at a loss, Costco chicken has maintained a competitive price of $4.99 despite rapid inflation over the years. Beyond its low cost, Costco rotisserie chicken has prolonged its popularity thanks to its versatility, possessing the ability to adapt to the needs of whoever it feeds. In my most recent trip to Costco, I set out to explore how Costco chicken has adapted to my life throughout the years.
When I first began American high school, I was so racked with anxiety that I couldn’t hold anything down but chicken congee, which my mom made weekly using Costco rotisserie chicken. Rice porridge is a staple in Chinese and Vietnamese culture, popular for soothing physical (and, in my case, emotional) discomforts. The distinct saltiness of Costco chicken (derived from saline injections) makes it an ideal pairing with this simple dish, allowing the congee to carry the flavor of the meat in every bite. Stewed alongside green onions, ginger, rice wine, and other seasonings, the chicken absorbs additional flavors that ultimately bring immense depth to an otherwise plain meal.
Since living alone, I’ve become much less inclined to cook as I struggled to balance academics and self-care. To compensate, my use of Costco chicken has been significantly simplified. Whether on white rice or a mix of spring greens, I drizzle on Maggi liquid seasoning, sesame oil, mirin, and some of the chicken juices to create a homemade chicken platter. Mixing the sauces well with rice, chicken, and cherry tomatoes will better guarantee that you forget how often you’ve eaten this same meal. However, this simplicity allows me, and fellow financially challenged college students, to stretch $4.99 for an entire week’s worth of protein-packed meals.
Note that the key to not wasting any chicken is to debone it as soon as you can. While the meat is still hot, it remains tender enough for a knife to cut right down to the bone without effort. If done correctly, you will be left with a carcass ideal for making stock.
Until recently, I had never considered using any part of a Costco rotisserie chicken besides the meat. However, as my time as a college student draws closer to an end, I’m reminded of the importance of thinking ahead. In a pot of water, I add the carcass with mirepoix, herbs, and pepper while considering what I will do with the stock. I could use it to improve my next pot of chicken congee, or I could use it for something entirely new. I had never made my ingredients before, let alone ones I had no plans to use immediately.
Costco rotisserie chicken transcends time and circumstance, playing a consistent role in my past, present, and future. For me, this chicken facilitates reflection and healing, but its importance can vary based on who it’s feeding. This idea is particularly observable in the queues for this chicken. In Inglewood, there was someone from every generation and race in this line that extended across the width of the warehouse. It seems that the endless possibilities of Costco’s freshly roasted chickens is what keep people coming back.
