Air Frying Aldi's Red Bag Chicken: Quick And Easy

Aldi's Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Breast Fillets, also known as Red Bag Chicken or RBC, has become a cult favourite among shoppers. The fully cooked frozen chicken breasts can be cooked in an air fryer in 10-20 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your chicken. The convenience, taste, and versatility of the product make it a popular choice for quick and easy meals.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for Aldi red bag chicken in an air fryer vary depending on the desired level of crispiness and the number of chicken breasts being cooked.

For 2-4 chicken breasts, most sources recommend cooking at 380-400°F for 10 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, and then cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes. This will result in an internal temperature of 165°F.

If you prefer your chicken extra crispy, you can cook it for up to 12 minutes in total. For a full basket of chicken, one source recommends cooking at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Additionally, it is not necessary to thaw the chicken before cooking, as it is fully cooked and simply needs to be reheated and browned.

How to serve

There are many ways to serve Aldi red bag chicken. Here are some ideas:

Chicken Sandwich

Place the cooked chicken on brioche buns with toppings such as mayo, pickles, cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce. You can also add Chick-fil-A sauce to make it taste like a Chick-fil-A sandwich.

Salad

Slice the cooked chicken into strips and serve on a salad. For a buffalo chicken salad, coat the chicken in a mixture of red hot sauce and butter.

Pasta

Serve the chicken on top of a cheesy pasta dish.

Chicken Parmesan

Top the cooked chicken with marinara sauce, grated parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella. Place it on foil and put it back in the air fryer or oven to melt the cheese.

Wraps

Use the cooked chicken in Roly Poly-style wraps or tacos.

With a Side

Serve the chicken with a side of vegetables, such as asparagus, baked potato, or corn on the cob, or with macaroni and cheese.

Other Ideas

• Drizzle with katsu sauce or teriyaki sauce over rice
• Toss with Buffalo sauce and serve over a salad
• Top with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, like a chicken schnitzel or Milanese
• As the base for chicken and waffles

Storing leftovers

When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, simply reheat them in the air fryer at 350ºF for about 5 minutes. This will give you that crispy texture again, and it's a quicker option than using an oven.

Some people like to add extra seasonings to their chicken, such as garlic powder, Chinese five-spice blend, yeast extract, black pepper, or Italian seasoning. If you've added seasonings, it's a good idea to consume the leftovers within a few days as the spices may change flavor over time.

If you're storing leftover chicken that was cooked from a frozen state, it's generally recommended to consume it within 3-4 days. This is because the chicken was previously frozen, and while safe to consume within a week, the quality may start to deteriorate sooner.

Different ways to serve

There are several ways to serve Aldi red bag chicken cooked in an air fryer. Here are some ideas:

Sandwiches

You can serve the chicken on brioche buns, with mayo and pickles—a copycat Chick-fil-A sandwich. You can also add cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce.

Salad

Slice the breaded chicken breast into strips and serve on your favourite salad.

Pasta

Serve the chicken on top of a cheesy pasta dish or toss it with buffalo sauce and serve over a salad.

Chicken Parmesan

Skip the work and use the chicken for chicken parmesan, serving it over spaghetti with marinara sauce.

Wraps

You can use the chicken in Roly Poly-style wraps or slice and tuck it inside a wrap or taco.

With a Side

Serve the chicken with a side of veggies or macaroni and cheese. You can also serve it with air fryer vegetables like asparagus, baked potato, or corn on the cob.

Other Aldi chicken options

Aldi offers a wide variety of chicken products, including fresh and frozen options. Here are some alternatives to the red bag chicken:

Chicken Breasts and Thighs

Aldi sells fresh, antibiotic-free, whole chickens that can be baked or cut into pieces. They also offer fresh chicken breasts and thighs, which can be used in a variety of recipes. However, some customers have reported issues with the quality of the fresh chicken breasts, with some experiencing "woody" chicken, which is tough and pale in colour.

Kirkwood Grilled Chicken Strips

These grilled chicken strips are perfect for those who want the convenience of pre-cooked chicken for salads or wraps. They can be microwaved or pan-fried in just 2-3 minutes, making them ideal for quick meals like burrito bowls, chicken quesadillas, and chicken alfredo.

Kirkwood Parmesan Chicken

For parmesan chicken lovers, Aldi offers Kirkwood's parmesan chicken in a green bag. This option consists of large chicken tenders coated in a parmesan herb-crusted seasoning. They can be cooked in the oven in about 20 minutes and are delicious served plain or added to salads, wraps, or sandwiches.

Kirkwood Chicken Fries

Aldi's chicken fries, another popular choice, are similar to chicken nuggets but in the form of small strips. They are perfect for kids and adults who enjoy finger foods. These chicken fries can be paired with various dipping sauces, such as ketchup, mustard, ranch, or buffalo sauce.

Kirkwood Chicken Wings

While some customers have reported inconsistencies with these wings, they can be a good option if you don't mind picking off a few feathers and having varying sizes. You can cook them in the air fryer for a crispy texture and pair them with one of Aldi's many sauces.

Kirkwood Chicken Breast Patties

These patties are a convenient and affordable option for simple meals. They are often used to create copycat Chic-Fil-A or KFC sandwiches. However, they may not be the first choice for those seeking a gourmet experience.

Kirkwood Honey-Battered Chicken Tenders

If you enjoy sweet and savoury combinations, these tenders are breaded with a sweetened honey batter. However, some customers have found them overly sweet and have reported a spongy texture. They can be used as an ingredient in dishes like sweet and sour chicken or chicken fried rice.

Kirkwood Boneless Chicken Tenderloins

These boneless and skinless chicken tenderloins are versatile and can be grilled, pan-fried, oven-baked, or air-fried. They are perfect for grilled chicken salads, breaded chicken strips, or chicken pasta dishes. However, be aware that they may contain tendons, which can be a turnoff for some.

Kirkwood Popcorn Chicken

Kirkwood's popcorn chicken is a kid-friendly option that tastes similar to chicken patties but in bite-sized pieces. They are perfect for quick lunches or dinners and can be paired with sauces to enhance their flavour.

Kirkwood Chicken Nuggets

Aldi's chicken nuggets are a favourite among kids and adults, offering a warm and comforting plate of food. They are an affordable alternative to other brands and have received positive reviews from customers.

Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Strips

The blue bag of frozen breaded chicken strips is a popular choice among Aldi shoppers. They can be used for chicken wraps, subs, or dipped in sauces like white country gravy or buffalo sauce. They cook quickly in the oven or air fryer, making them ideal for busy weeknights.

Kirkwood Buffalo Chicken Strips

For spice lovers, the orange bag of buffalo chicken strips adds a kick of heat to your meals. They are similar to the blue bag strips but glazed with buffalo sauce. Fans of these strips often use them in wraps or salads with ranch dressing.

Kirkwood Mediterranean-Style Chicken Patties

These Mediterranean-inspired patties have gained a following among Aldi shoppers. They are often paired with Mediterranean ingredients like tzatziki, artichokes, or Greek yogurt.

In addition to these options, Aldi also offers unique varieties like chicken cordon bleu, chicken strips in various flavours, and more. The store is known for its affordable prices and convenient options, making it a popular choice for many shoppers.

Frequently asked questions