Supermarket Chinese Ready Meal Taste Test: Lidl's Chicken Curry Crowned Winner
With the Lunar New Year celebrations in full swing, many are craving a Chinese feast, but takeaways can strain the budget. Supermarket ready meals offer a cheaper option, but do they deliver on taste? Birmingham Live's parenting editor, Zoe Chamberlain, conducted a family taste test to find out.
Zoe and her family sampled sweet and sour chicken from Aldi, Asda, and M&S, along with Chinese-style chicken curry from Lidl, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, and Tesco. Each single-serving meal was evaluated on price, flavour, and nutritional content, with scores out of five. The results revealed a clear favourite.
The Contenders: A Detailed Breakdown
Aldi Sweet and Sour Chicken – Priced at £2.79 for 400g, this meal scored 3/5. Zoe noted tender chicken pieces but criticised the smoky sauce and insufficient egg in the rice.
Asda Sweet and Sour Chicken – Costing £3.32 for 400g, it earned 4/5. The fragrant rice and fresh-tasting sauce impressed, though the chicken chunks were smaller.
M&S Sweet and Sour Chicken – At £4.25 for 400g, it also received 3/5. While it had the highest chicken percentage, the sauce was deemed too runny and lacking tang.
Lidl Chicken Curry – The winner at £2.69 for 400g, scoring a perfect 5/5. Zoe praised its fruity, thick sauce and generous egg and pea content in the rice, calling it a fresher alternative to typical takeaways.
Morrisons Chinese Style Chicken Curry – Priced at £3.75 for 400g, it disappointed with a 2/5. Bland sauce and chewy chicken let it down, despite fluffy rice.
Sainsbury's Chinese Style Chicken Curry – Also £3.75 for 400g, it scored 3/5. Mild flavours made it bland, and the rice was inconsistently textured.
Tesco Chinese Style Chicken Curry – At £3.85 for 400g without rice, it earned 4/5. Creamy coconut sauce and tender chicken were highlights, though the lack of rice was a drawback.
Final Verdict and Family Feedback
Zoe reported that while Asda and Tesco meals were decent, Lidl's curry stood out as the best. It was not only the cheapest but also had the lowest sugar content. Her family found portion sizes insufficient for larger appetites, but she deemed them adequate. Overall, Lidl's offering provided an affordable and tasty "cheat's takeaway" option, making it a top choice for Lunar New Year celebrations or any casual meal.
