No—Real Good Foods chicken strips are heat-treated, not fully cooked; cook to 165°F before eating.
Shoppers often wonder if the frozen strips from Real Good Foods are ready to eat straight from the bag. The short answer is no. The brand states on multiple product pages that the chicken is “heat-treated but not fully cooked,” and it should be heated until the inside reaches 165°F. People often type “are real good foods chicken strips fully cooked?” into search bars, and the answer stays the same. That means you’re finishing the cook at home, not just reheating.
Are Real Good Foods Chicken Strips Fully Cooked?
The company’s own packaging and product listings repeat one clear line: the strips are not fully cooked. You’ll see this note on pages for the Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Strips, the Spicy Chicken Strips, and the Lightly Breaded Chicken Tenders. The wording appears under a small FAQ block on those pages and matches standard poultry safety guidance. Always plan to cook from frozen or thawed until the center of the thickest strip hits 165°F on a thermometer.
Product Line Snapshot
Here’s a fast scan of common items and where that “not fully cooked” notice appears. Use it as a guide, then check your bag for the final word.
| Product | Fully Cooked? | Where The Info Appears |
|---|---|---|
| Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Strips | No — heat-treated, finish to 165°F | Product page FAQ |
| Lightly Breaded Spicy Chicken Strips | No — heat-treated, finish to 165°F | Product page FAQ |
| Lightly Breaded Chicken Tenders | No — heat-treated, finish to 165°F | Product page FAQ |
| Costco Beef Tallow Fried Chicken Strips | No — follow oven directions | Product page cooking instructions |
| Naked Oven Roasted Chicken Strips | Cook before eating (label directs heating) | Product page cooking instructions |
| Chicken Nuggets/Chunks (select club packs) | Check label; directions vary by item | Bag label / product page |
| Older or regional packs | Follow current bag directions | Bag label |
Cooked Or Raw: What The Label Really Tells You
Real Good Foods uses clear wording: “heat-treated but not fully cooked.” In practice, that means the strips have been par-cooked during production for quality and food safety steps, yet they still require a full cook in your kitchen. Heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. That number matches federal guidance for poultry and is the single best indicator that your meal is safe to eat. For another official reference, see FoodSafety.gov’s cook-to-temperature guide.
Why The Temperature Target Matters
Color can mislead. Some strips brown fast in an air fryer, but the center may lag. A quick probe with a thermometer gives you a yes/no answer. Aim for 165°F in the thickest piece, check a second strip if sizes differ, and let the meat rest a minute so the heat evens out.
Are Real Good Foods Chicken Strips Fully Cooked? Home Cooking Steps
Use these home methods when you plan dinner. Times are estimates from brand pages and test cooks. Your appliance, batch size, and strip thickness will change the clock, so let temperature be your final check.
Air Fryer Method
Preheat to 375–390°F. Arrange a single layer of frozen strips in the basket. Cook 10–14 minutes, flipping near the end. Smaller pieces run faster; thicker strips may need 15–16 minutes. Start checking at the 10-minute mark. Pull when the center reaches 165°F.
Conventional Oven Method
Heat the oven to 400°F. Place frozen strips on a parchment-lined pan and bake 18–21 minutes on the center rack. Flip once for even browning. Check for 165°F at the thickest point before serving. If you want a government source on the endpoint, the USDA safe minimum temperature chart sets poultry at 165°F.
Skillet Method
Warm a light film of oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add frozen strips and cook 12–16 minutes, turning often so the crust doesn’t scorch. Lower the heat if the coating darkens fast while the center stays cool. Finish at 165°F.
Microwave In A Pinch
Microwaves vary a lot. Use a microwave-safe plate and vented cover, heat in short bursts, and stand for a minute so the heat equalizes. Always confirm 165°F. Crisp the exterior afterward in a hot skillet or air fryer for a minute or two if you want crunch.
Safe Handling And Storage
Keep the bag frozen until you’re ready to cook. If you thaw, do it in the fridge, not the counter. Use clean tongs for cooked strips and a separate set for raw handling. Store leftovers in a shallow container in the fridge and reheat to 165°F before eating again.
Close Variant Keyword: Are Real Good Foods Chicken Strips Cooked Or Raw — Label, Temp, And Timing
Shoppers search in different ways, so let’s tighten the answer in one place. Real Good Foods sells multiple strip styles, yet the cooking intent is the same. Treat them as not fully cooked and heat until the center reads 165°F. That single rule covers air fryer, oven, and skillet.
Reading The Bag Like A Pro
Scan the front for phrases like “lightly breaded” or “oven roasted.” Then flip to the back and find the safe handling panel and cooking directions. Look for cues such as “cook from frozen,” “heat-treated but not fully cooked,” and the endpoint temperature. If a club pack says “fully cooked” on the ingredients panel for a different item, you still follow the bag’s heating steps until the inside hits 165°F.
Time And Temperature Guide
Use this compact guide to set expectations. Times start from frozen and assume a standard kitchen setup.
| Method | Typical Time | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Air Fryer (375–390°F) | 10–14 min | Check early; finish to 165°F |
| Conventional Oven (400°F) | 18–21 min | Flip once on center rack |
| Skillet, Medium Heat | 12–16 min | Turn often to avoid scorching |
| Microwave, Covered | Varies | Stand 1 min; confirm 165°F |
| Reheat Leftovers | 5–8 min total | Bring leftovers back to 165°F |
| Party Platter Batches | Longer | Bigger pans add minutes |
Nutrition And Ingredient Notes
Most Real Good Foods strips list white meat chicken breast with rib meat, a short seasoning list, and a gluten-free breading made with chickpea flour and whey protein concentrate. A standard 4-ounce serving on many listings shows about 23 grams of protein with low sugars. Oil types vary by pack. Some club or regional items call out frying in beef tallow or a switch away from seed oils. Always read the specific bag you buy, since retailers can carry slightly different versions. If you have questions about a specific pack, check the bag you bought and the brand’s product page for that exact item.
Allergens
Egg and milk appear in many breaded items from the brand. If you track allergens, scan both the ingredient panel and any “contains” statement near it.
What To Serve With The Strips
Keep it simple if time is tight. Toss a quick salad, bake potato wedges on the other rack, or warm tortillas for wraps. For dipping, set out mustard, hot honey, buffalo, and ranch. A lemon wedge perks up the coating without extra effort. For a balanced plate, add roasted vegetables or a slaw.
Troubleshooting Dry Or Soggy Strips
If They Turn Out Dry
Dry strips usually mean too much heat for too long. Drop the temp 10–15°F next time and pull closer to 165°F instead of overshooting. A short rest keeps juices inside the meat.
If They Turn Out Pale Or Soggy
Overcrowding traps steam. Give each strip a little space, preheat the air fryer or oven fully, and use a wire rack over the pan so heat can move around. A quick minute under the broiler can crisp the surface at the end, but watch closely.
Clear Answer You Can Trust
are real good foods chicken strips fully cooked? No—the brand signals “heat-treated but not fully cooked” and directs you to cook to 165°F. Stick with a thermometer and the steps on the specific bag you have. With that approach, you’ll get safe, juicy chicken with a consistent bite.