There’s no shortage of quick dinners at Aldi, but one meal currently has shoppers in an absolute panic: the supermarket’s $8.99 chicken biryani.
Available for a limited time in selected stores, it’s become so popular that customers are stockpiling it, as if it’s about to vanish forever.
“This thing is too good to be true,” one Reddit user wrote. “Please tell me it’s not a limited-time thing, otherwise I’m going to have a mental breakdown.”
With that level of hype, I had to see what all the fuss was about. Here’s my honest review.
Quick verdict: 8/10. Authentically spiced, surprisingly good chicken, genuinely spicy. Best $8.99 microwave meal I’ve tried, if you can handle the heat.
Tracking it down
The chicken biryani isn’t listed on Aldi’s website, which only added to the intrigue. Armed with just an Instagram photo and Reddit hype, I headed to my local Aldi expecting disappointment.
To my surprise, I found it immediately in the chilled section opposite the fruit and veg, tucked among the World Kitchen range.
What you’re actually getting
The 550g meal promises fragrant basmati rice, tender chicken pieces, and authentic spices.
The packaging suggests it serves two, though one very hungry person could easily polish it off solo. Personally, I couldn’t get through it on my own.
Cooking is simple: pierce the film, microwave for 6 minutes, stir, and done. No defrosting required.
The moment I pierced the packaging, the aroma hit me, and I thought, “This was going to be good.”
The taste test: does it live up to the hype?
This dish is absolutely delicious. The rice is fluffy and well-seasoned with visible whole spices throughout. The chicken is surprisingly tender for a microwave meal, and there’s a decent amount for the price. Mine had about seven chunks of chicken, but some smaller pieces were floating through the rice.
As other reviewers have also said, the flavours are on par with what you’d get from a takeaway biryani.
Then the heat kicks in.
“I found it a bit spicy but not too bad. It starts fine, but you feel the kick halfway through,” one Redditor warned.
They weren’t kidding. It’s not unbearable, but this is legitimately spicy.
The good news? One clever Reddit user suggested pairing it with Greek yoghurt to cut the heat.
I tried this on my second serving. It works perfectly, balancing the spice while adding a cooling creaminess.
Perfect for:
- Spice lovers.
- Anyone who orders medium-to-hot at Indian restaurants
- People who appreciate authentic flavours over watered-down versions
Skip it if:
- You find mild salsa challenging
- You’re cooking for young kids
- You prefer your meals on the milder side
Is it worth $8.99?
Absolutely. Restaurant or takeaway biryani costs at least $15-20. This is less than half that price, feeds one person generously (or two lightly), and honestly tastes better than I expected from a microwave meal.
Is it restaurant quality? No. But it’s perfect for a microwave-ready meal.
How to find Aldi’s chicken biryani
- Location: Chilled section (World Kitchen range), usually opposite fruit and veg
- Price: $8.99
- Availability: Limited time, selected stores (not listed online. You have to hunt in-store.)
- Serving size: 550g (one generous serve or two light serves)
- Shelf life: Mine had a use-by date within a week of purchase. Check before buying
- Cooking time: 6 minutes in the microwave, no defrosting needed
What if it’s sold out?
Given the Reddit frenzy, your local Aldi might already be out of stock. If so, the World Kitchen range has other cult favourites worth trying:
- Butter chicken: Reportedly milder with “the most chicken content of all competitors”
- Beef massaman: Another fan favourite with a loyal following
- Butter chicken naanwiches: Quick lunch option that’s also wildly popular
And if you’re curious about alternatives, several Redditors swear by Woolworths’ chicken biryani, claiming it’s even better. At a similar price point, that’s next on my comparison list.
Will it stick around?
This is currently listed as a limited-time product.
But there’s hope. Aldi tends to take customer feedback seriously, and if a product is popular enough, it can graduate to the core range.
“Seasonal product, will likely be around for a few months,” one Reddit user explained, “but if it’s popular enough it might be added to the core range.”
To which the original poster responded: “I might have to single-handedly buy every single one of them so they get added to the permanent range.”
The final verdict
Rating: 8/10
The authentic spicing, tender chicken, and generous portion make it an absolute steal at $8.99.
My advice: If you see it, buy at least two. Keep one for a weeknight dinner emergency; eat the other tonight to see if it’s your thing.
And if the spice is too much, grab the Greek yoghurt.
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