The $3.79 Costco Freezer Find I Buy Every Time I Go

When I was a kid, my mom cooked a homemade meal almost every night. I didn’t realize how lucky I was until I grew up, moved out, and realized that this job now falls squarely on my shoulders. Now, even though I spend most of my day thinking about food—and often cooking it—I still hit a wall. Sometimes, I wish I could finish work, wander into the kitchen, and casually ask, “So, what’s for dinner?” like it’s someone else’s problem.

I could order takeout or stock the freezer with ready-made meals, but nothing hits like homemade. That is, until I found Kevin’s Natural Foods Chicken Burrito Bowl when I was browsing my local Costco. Intrigued by a simple list of ingredients—which includes chicken breast, bell peppers, cheese, and brown rice in a chipotle chile sauce—and a whopping 28 grams of protein per serving, I loaded a few into my cart, and now I can’t leave without them.  

Why I Love Kevin’s Chicken Burrito Bowl

The chicken is cooked sous vide—a technique that slowly cooks vacuum-sealed meat in water—allowing it to stay juicy, not rubbery or sad like most frozen meals. It’s totally fine to microwave the bowl and dig in, but here’s how I level it up.

I drain the chicken (the liquid is just natural broth, according to the brand), pat it dry, and sear it in a hot pan with a tablespoon of olive oil to get a golden crust. Then, I warm the sauce in the same pan and microwave the rice separately.

Top it with a dollop of guac, a spoonful of sour cream, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, and a few hits of hot sauce, and you’ve got a weeknight meal that feels homemade, with zero chopping required.

Since one container is a full meal, it’s perfect for tossing in your work bag when you’re running late. And at under four bucks, it’s a fraction of the cost of takeout—and frankly, better than most fast-casual burrito bowls I’ve had. It’s cozy, comforting, and surprisingly substantial. I almost feel like a kid again—minus the part where someone else magically made dinner appear. 

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