Copycat Costco Chicken Bake

The Costco Chicken bakes are high in calories. However, if you know what’s going inside and make it from scratch then, perhaps that will be a healthier option. As far as nutrition, the Costco Chicken Bakes are high in Carbohydrates so if you are on a Keto diet you may want to pass.

Costco sells packaged frozen chicken bakes in limited locations.  You can purchase the Costco chicken bakes directly from Costco’s website. If they sell them frozen, I am convinced they thaw and bake them in the kitchen daily.

• Chicken- According to the ingredient label, Costco uses Chicken breast strips with rib meat and a water solution. To me, that sounds like freezer-grilled chicken breast. Make your own freezer grilled chicken breast strips with this recipe.
• Bacon– Cured bacon. That’s obviously been cooked. Check out my ultimate favorite way to make freezer bacon.
• Cheese– Mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan cheeses are used among the cheeses. I’m assuming the Mozzarella and Provolone are used for the filling and the Parmesan could be used for the top. I personally only used Mozzarella for the filling and have used both Parmesan and Mozzarella for the top before. Final verdict; opt for Mozzarella for the top it creates a crustier top, whereas Parmesan is usually grated finer thus creating finer texture on top. Or grate Parmesan cheese bigger to get bigger chunks of cheese on top.
• Caesars Dressing-Probably a creamy kind. Look for these ingredients because these are the exact ones from the ingredient list soybean oil, water, corn vinegar, parmesan cheese (partially skimmed milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), whole egg and egg yolks, salt, sugar, distilled vinegar, xanthan gum, anchovy, dehydrated garlic, lemon juice concentrate, dehydrated onion, sodium benzoate, artificial caramel color, calcium disodium EDTA.) I have used ranch dressing with excellent results so that can make for a great alternative if you are not a fan of the Caesars dressing.
• Green onions– They are claimed to be in the chicken bakes according to the ingredient list but I left them out. I can’t really recall a distinctive green onion flavor in the Costco versions so I don’t really think it’s crucial to have them.

FILLING:

• • 1 1/2 cups chicken breast strips (freezer kind, thawed)
  • 1 1/2 shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 4 strips of cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 1/3 cup creamy Caesars dressing (could substitute creamy ranch)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream

The chicken bakes from Costco are made from their signature dough and are filled with the classic chicken bake filling. The filling includes; chicken, bacon, cheese, a creamy Caesars dressing, and green onions. To replicate this at home, use a pizza dough, ready to use grilled chicken pieces, bacon bits, pre-grated cheese, prepared dressing, and onions if you have any, (they can be omitted.)

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450°F.
2. Step 2: Cut pizza dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll out each piece to an 11 by 8-inch rectangle. Set aside.
3. Step 3: Combine all the filling ingredients, RESERVING 1/2 cup of mozzarella, 1/3 cup of parmesan cheese and 3 tbsp of creamy Caesar dressing for the topping.
4. Step 4: Place 1 cup of filling across the center of each piece of dough. Slightly fold in the sides and start rolling dough from the bottom up. Pinch seams and place them onto a greased pan.
5. Step 5: Brush tops with reserved dressing and sprinkle with reserved cheeses. Bake for 20 minutes on the bottom rack.

For a complete tutorial on the homemade pizza dough recipe I used for these Chicken Bakes, check out the clickable tutorial. Follow the recipe and use one portion from the recipe (the recipe makes 4 pizzas.)

Yes, store-bought pizza dough can be used if you don’t make the homemade pizza dough. However, I do think you’ll get more from making your own.

Since Costco sells frozen chicken bakes I do think it’s possible. Furthermore, it seems to me they are partially baked before being individually wrapped. So, if you’re making homemade dough, bake for a 10-minute period then cool and freeze. Baking time for frozen chicken bakes takes around 35 minutes in an oven and 4 minutes in the microwave coming from the freezer.