Lidl's Chinese Chicken Curry Crowned Champion in Supermarket Taste Test
Ahead of Lunar New Year celebrations, a comprehensive family taste test has identified the best Chinese ready meals available in UK supermarkets, with Lidl's Chicken Curry emerging as the clear winner. The investigation compared offerings from Asda, Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury's, and Morrisons, evaluating them on price, flavour, and nutritional value to determine which could serve as a genuine alternative to expensive takeaway meals.
The Testing Methodology
Parenting editor Zoe Chamberlain conducted the experiment with her family, purchasing single-portion Chinese meals from all seven supermarkets and preparing them according to microwave instructions. Each meal was assessed based on three key criteria: cost per 100 grams, overall taste experience, and nutritional content including calories, saturated fat, sugar, and salt levels. The testing aimed to discover whether supermarket alternatives could deliver authentic takeaway flavours without the substantial price tag typically associated with restaurant delivery services.
Supermarket Showdown: Detailed Results
Morrisons Chinese Style Chicken Curry (£3.75 for 400g) proved disappointing with a runny, bland sauce and chewy chicken pieces. Despite containing nine chicken portions, the overall flavour was described as "very poor" with only the rice receiving praise for being fluffy. The meal earned just two out of five stars from the tasting panel.
Sainsbury's Chinese Style Chicken Curry (£3.75 for 400g) offered mild flavours but lacked any significant spice, resulting in what testers called a "pretty bland" curry experience. With five regular-sized chicken pieces plus one small portion, the rice showed inconsistency with some hard areas, though it contained plenty of egg. This meal received three out of five stars.
Lidl Chicken Curry (£2.69 for 400g) emerged as the surprise champion, delivering exceptional value at just 67p per 100g. Testers immediately noticed a "fruity aroma" upon opening, followed by a thick, flavourful sauce containing ten chicken pieces of varying sizes. The egg fried rice featured generous portions of peas and egg chunks, earning a perfect five-star rating and the description of being "most like a proper takeaway."
Aldi Sweet and Sour Chicken (£2.79 for 400g) presented with a vibrant red sauce that appeared more substantial than competitors' versions. While containing seven large, tender chicken pieces, the sauce developed a "smoky taste" that divided opinions. The rice quality was good but lacked sufficient egg content, resulting in a three-star rating.
M&S Cantonese Sweet and Sour Chicken (£4.25 for 400g) represented the premium option at £1.06 per 100g, featuring eight large chicken chunks with red pepper strips and pineapple slices. The sauce was described as tasty but somewhat runny, while the brown rice proved chewy though containing ample egg. This higher-priced option earned three stars.
Asda Sweet and Sour Chicken (£3.32 for 400g) presented with an orange-hued sauce containing nine smaller chicken pieces. Despite the reduced chicken size compared to Aldi and M&S versions, testers praised the "very fresh" tasting sauce, awarding this meal four out of five stars for its balanced flavour profile.
Tesco Chinese Style Chicken Curry (£3.85 for 400g) surprised testers by containing no rice despite similar packaging to other products. The tender chicken in creamy coconut sauce delivered a "nice tang" from well-balanced spices, earning four stars despite the missing carbohydrate component.
Nutritional Considerations and Portion Observations
The nutritional analysis revealed significant variations between products. Calorie counts ranged from 482 in Lidl's offering to 620 in the M&S meal, while sugar content showed dramatic differences from 4.7g in Lidl's curry to 30g in M&S's sweet and sour option. Salt levels varied between 1.06g in Tesco's curry to 3.2g in the M&S version, highlighting important health considerations for regular consumers.
An interesting observation emerged regarding portion sizes, with male family members reporting that single servings failed to provide sufficient fullness, while female testers found them adequate. This suggests that supermarket ready meals might require supplementation with additional sides for heartier appetites, particularly when serving as main meal replacements.
Final Verdict and Cost Analysis
The tasting panel identified three standout products: Asda's Sweet and Sour Chicken, Tesco's Chinese Style Chicken Curry, and Lidl's Chicken Curry. However, Lidl's offering received unanimous praise as the product most closely resembling authentic takeaway quality while offering exceptional value at just £2.69 per portion.
This price advantage means a family of four could enjoy a complete "cheat's takeaway" experience for slightly over ten pounds, representing substantial savings compared to traditional delivery services. With Lunar New Year celebrations approaching, the findings provide valuable guidance for consumers seeking convenient, affordable alternatives to restaurant meals without compromising on flavour authenticity.
The comprehensive testing demonstrates that supermarket ready meals can indeed serve as credible substitutes for takeaway favourites, particularly when selected carefully based on balanced flavour profiles, ingredient quality, and value for money considerations.
