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I’m usually suspicious when a friend tells me that this new something “tastes just like” a beloved food. It’s like when someone says a cauliflower crust pizza “tastes just like” regular pizza. Girl, you aren’t fooling anyone. So when I heard from several people (and all of TikTok) talking about how Just Bare chicken nuggets are “just like” Chick-fil-A – I definitely raised my eyebrows.
And then I got my keys and headed to Costco.
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Just Bare Chicken Nuggets From Costco
These nuggets (technically chunks) seem like a solid stand-by to keep in the freezer, especially if you have a recurring craving for CFA on Sundays like me.
But I still wasn’t sure. This could easily be one of those too-good-to-be-true situations.
After bee-lining it to the street tacos (a must) I swung by the frozen section where a case full of those bright green bags was all but calling to me.
True to Costco’s reputation, you definitely get your money’s worth with the Just Bare chicken nuggets. They come in a massive bag (that’s about the size of my head) with 22 servings. I grabbed a bag and filled up my cart with the rest of my shipping list.
Did They Taste Like Chick-fil-A?
Once home, I fried up my air fryer (pushed the on button) and excitedly prepped my lunch.
I air-fried my nuggets for 10 minutes with some waffle fries and placed a stack of pickles on my plate. I even had a bottle of Chick-fil-A sauce to dip in for the full experience. Once everything was ready to go, I took my first bite.
The Just Bare chicken nuggets were a delightful surprise. They had a light, crispy coating that gave way to tender, juicy chicken inside. Dipping them in the Chick-fil-A sauce added that familiar tangy sweetness, creating a flavor combination that was simply irresistible.
Honestly, these taste extremely similar to CFA nuggets. Even the texture is similar. You could toss some of these in a CFA box and fool just about anyone.
Is Just Bare Chicken The Same As Chick-Fil-A?
While very close, they are not exactly the same. The shape of Just Bare chicken nuggets is a bit different from Chick-fil-A’s. They’re larger, which is no surprise considering everything from Costco tends to be, well, Costco-sized. I actually prefer this as it’s more chicken in the chicken-to-breading ratio.
However, they’re quite similar. Just Bare chicken nuggets’ breading and flavor are surprisingly similar to what you get at Chick-fil-A, and the meat inside is just as juicy and delicious as promised on the package.
As much as I enjoy a trip to Chick-fil-A, I have to say, these nuggets really hit the spot, as a solid stand-in – especially with some Claussen pickles on the side.
I think I’d actually prefer to keep a bag of these at home for those times when I’m craving some crispy chicken to toss in my salad. And let’s be real, having them on hand is a lifesaver on random Sundays when that Chick-fil-A craving hits, but they’re closed.
CFA Chicken Nuggets Disclaimer
For those who have never had the goodness that is CFA, it’s worth noting that Chick-fil-A’s nuggets are a bit of an outlier in the fast-food world. When I think of fast food nuggets, I think of chicken meat paste deep fried in a greasy breading. Not great.
CFA nuggets are more like a chicken chunk or popcorn chicken rather than the traditional nuggets you find. They don’t really stick to that classic “chicken nugget” shape, and the breading is significantly lighter and crispier. All ‘pros’ in my opinion!
The real secret to the Chick-fil-A nuggets is the texture of the chicken breast chunk lightly breaded.
I’m certainly not a chicken nugget expert, but after my fair share of Chick-fil-A meals, and my general above-average level of pickiness, I feel pretty confident in spotting a perfect nugget when I see it.
Why I Love Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks
Firstly, the meat is high-quality. I am picky about meat. I wish I wasn’t, but I just am. If I get a bite of gristle or weird texture, I’m done.
That makes most frozen breaded chicken an immediate no for me. BUT I’ve eaten my share of Just Bare bites and have never once gotten the ick.
While it is obviously processed food, it’s much less processed than other options. Naturally chapped chunks of chicken breast (rather than meat paste) that are lightly breaded (rather than 60% breading) are both big wins in my opinion.
The company seems to genuinely care about the welfare of their animals. I have no problem eating meat, but I don’t think animals should have to suffer or be mistreated. (This is also why I choose free-range eggs when I can).
All in all, Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks are a win in my book. High-quality meat, minimal processing, and ethical practices? Count me in.
Who Owns Just Bare Chicken?
Just Bare Chicken is owned by Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, one of the largest chicken producers in the United States. Pilgrim’s Pride acquired the brand as part of its acquisition of GNP Company in 2017, which was the original producer of Just Bare Chicken.
Is Just Bare A Good Chicken Brand?
Yes. Just Bare is a good chicken brand in my opinion and in the opinion of many other consumers. Just Bare is known for their commitment to providing chicken that is raised without antibiotics and with animal welfare in mind and is American Humane Certified™.
“Pilgrim’s®, the company behind the Just Bare® brand, recognizes our ethical obligation to the health and humane care of our chickens—and we take that responsibility very seriously. From breeding, to hatching, to processing, our policy is straightforward—zero tolerance for any deliberate abuse or mistreatment of our chickens.” – Just Bare Foods FAQs
Just Bare is overall well-respected for its quality and transparency in its farming practices.
Is Just Bare Chicken Nuggets Real Chicken?
Yes! And it’s not the sketch “chicken breast with rib meat” chicken. It’s actually all chicken breast. I have never once bitten into a nugget and gotten a suspicious texture.
Just Bare is actually known for using antibiotic-free, boneless, skinless chicken breast meat in their nuggets. Just Bare takes pride in their commitment to quality and transparency, so you can enjoy their chicken nuggets knowing they’re made from real, wholesome ingredients.
Are Just Bare Chicken Nuggets Healthy?
Just Bare Chicken Nuggets are definitely on the healthier side, especially when you compare them to other options out there. They’re made from real, antibiotic-free chicken breast meat, which is a big plus. No added hormones or steroids, either.
They’re breaded, of course, but it’s *lightly* breaded. If you bake or air fry them, you’re looking at a pretty wholesome choice for a quick and tasty protein fix.
They’re my go-to when I’m looking for a quick and relatively healthy option. Just like with any processed food, it’s a good idea to enjoy them in moderation and balance them out with some veggies or a salad for a more rounded meal.
Just Bare Chicken Nuggets Serving Size
The serving size for Just Bare Chicken Nuggets is typically 3 ounces (85 grams) or about 7 nuggets. Unlike most laughably tiny serving sizes, I find this to be an appropriate amount of chicken for most meals.
Just Bare Chicken Nuggets Nutrition
Just Bare Chicken Bites are a tasty and convenient snack or meal option. Here’s a general overview of their nutrition per serving (which is about 7 bites):
- Calories: Approximately 160 calories per serving.
- Protein: They pack a good protein punch, with about 16 grams per serving.
- Fat: Around 7 grams of fat per serving, with 1 gram being saturated fat.
- Carbohydrates: Typically around 9 grams of carbs per serving.
- Sodium: They can be a bit salty, with about 540 milligrams of sodium per serving.
Simplified Ingredients List: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, Water, Seasoning, Rice Starch. Breaded With: Wheat Flour, Sugar, Salt, Nonfat Dry Milk, Dried Egg Whites, Baking Powder, Spice, and Paprika. Breading Set In Vegetable Oil.
Just Bare Chicken Nuggets Calories
The packaging for the Just Bare chicken breast bites says 160 calories for 3 oz of nuggets, which comes out to about 7 pieces. Keep in mind, that the calorie count can vary slightly based on how they’re prepared (baked vs. fried) and any dips or sides you might add to the mix.
What’s the Best Way to Make Just Bare Chicken Breast Chunks?
Aside from the classic ‘throw some nuggets and frozen waffle fries in the air fryer’ move there are plenty of ways to use Just Bare chicken nuggets. Here are some of my personal favs that don’t involve a lot of prep or dirtying a bunch of cookware:
Chicken Nugget Salad: Air Fry the chicken while you toss together a garden salad. My go-to is baby spring mix, sharp cheddar, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, green onions, and just a bit of an Italian vinaigrette.
Chicken Nugget Wraps: Spread some hummus or tzatziki sauce on a whole wheat wrap, add lettuce, sliced cucumber, tomatoes, and warm chicken nuggets. Roll it up for an easy and satisfying lunch.
Chicken Nugget Tacos: Warm up some tortillas and fill them with air-fried chicken nuggets, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a sprinkle of cheese. Add a scoop of guacamole for extra yumminess.
Just Bare Chicken Breast Chunks: Final Thoughts
Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks have officially won a spot in my freezer and my heart. From their high-quality, real chicken breast meat to their ethical farming practices, and their CFA-inspired taste. Trust me when I tell you, they tick all the right boxes for me.
Whether it’s in a salad, a wrap, or just on their own with some dip, these nuggets are a versatile and delicious choice that I’ll be reaching for again and again.
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Just Bare (although I’d love it if it were!) nor did I receive a product in exchange for promotion. I purchased these products out of genuine curiosity and am now a big fan of the chicken and the brand!
