Why You Should Skip Out On Buying Chicken Breasts From Aldi, According To Reddit

Shoppers often praise Aldi for its low prices and cult-favorite snacks, but when it comes to fresh chicken breast, Reddit users urge caution. In a popular r/aldi thread, dozens of commenters shared complaints about the discount grocer's chicken, citing excess liquid in the packaging, tough texture after cooking, and inconsistent quality from store to store. Some described the meat as "mushy" or "rubbery," sparking speculation that added water or brine contributes to the off-putting texture. While Aldi has built a loyal following for certain meats, like its budget-friendly steaks and frozen salmon fillets, poultry has long been a point of contention. Even our own roundup of the best and worst meat to buy at Aldi noted that chicken falls on the weaker end compared to other proteins.

Factor in recent inflation-driven price jumps, and many shoppers feel that Aldi chicken breasts no longer offer much value. Some shoppers have instead shifted to alternatives like bulk packs from warehouse clubs, where quality control feels more reliable and portions freeze well. Aldi might excel in categories like snacks, cheese, and seasonal frozen finds, but if you want consistently good poultry, Reddit suggests skipping the chicken breasts.

Chicken breast isn't the only protein shoppers flag as disappointing. Aldi's lunch meats and deli selections also get low marks from customers. In fact, our own ranking of Aldi foods to avoid singled out the turkey slices and ham for their watery texture and lackluster flavor. Commenters echo this, pointing out that the deli counter alternatives at competing stores might cost a bit more but taste fresher and last longer. 

Similar complaints arise with frozen chicken wings and certain ground meats, which some Aldi fans say don't cook up as cleanly as products from other retailers. That said, Aldi loyalists emphasize that not all meats are misses: their pork and beef options often make the cut, and products like Never Any! sausages hold their own against name brands. 

For those who love Aldi's bargain-hunting thrill, the trick is knowing which aisles to linger in — and which ones to pass by. If you want to stretch your grocery dollars smartly, skipping the chicken breasts and cold cuts leaves more room for wins like their specialty cheeses, seasonal snacks, or even the occasional surprisingly good frozen pizza, all of which rank higher on shoppers' repeat-buy lists. And if you're wondering what to swap in, our rundown to avoiding Aldi lunch meats breaks down alternatives worth seeking out.