Sam's Club Rotisserie Chicken Tops Consumer Reports Ranking, Ousting Costco
Consumer Reports' blind taste tests named Sam's Club the best rotisserie chicken, highlighting its flavor and juiciness, while Costco's long-standing favorite landed in second place.
Sam's Club has claimed the top spot for the best rotisserie chicken in America, according to blind taste tests conducted by Consumer Reports. The warehouse club's seasoned rotisserie chicken was praised by testers for its moist, juicy meat and balanced seasoning with hints of onion, garlic, and paprika, earning it the number one ranking among ten major retail chains.
Costco's Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken, a long-time fan favorite, was placed in second. Despite its popularity and affordability, Consumer Reports found the Sam's Club chicken to be superior in taste and overall quality. The winning chicken is priced at $4.98 for a roughly three-pound bird, making it slightly less expensive than Costco's $4.99 offering.
However, both warehouse club chickens were noted for their high sodium content. The Sam's Club chicken contains approximately 550 milligrams of sodium per serving, about a quarter of the recommended daily limit for adults. Costco's chicken is not far behind, with 460 milligrams per serving. For comparison, Kroger's Simple Truth rotisserie chicken contained only 40 milligrams of sodium per serving, with ingredients listed as just chicken, water, and sea salt. Organic options from Wegmans and Whole Foods also ranked among the lowest in sodium.
Loyal Costco members have expressed strong attachments to the Kirkland Signature chicken, citing its value and versatility for multiple meals. Some consumers have noted a shift in packaging, with Costco transitioning from dome-shaped plastic containers to flexible plastic bags in 2024, which has reportedly led to mixed reactions.
Consumer Reports' testing evaluated flavor, texture, juiciness, and overall quality. While Sam's Club emerged as the victor, customer opinions on social media show a range of preferences, with some users debating between Walmart and Costco for taste and value. Other retailers like Publix were also mentioned by consumers for their flavorful rotisserie chicken recipes.