An ALDI customer has sparked controversy after sharing a jaw-dropping discovery on the back of a jar of Honey Mustard Chicken Tonight Cooking Sauce.
The shopper shared on a popular Facebook group a picture of the popular store-bought item along with the ALDI version of the same thing.
Taking a closer look at the back label, the customer was surprised to see the Colway Honey Mustard Simmer Sauce – available exclusively at ALDI – had an almost identical ingredient list to the Chicken Tonight version.
“And to think there are still people out there who refuse to shop at Aldi because they think their products aren’t as good,” she wrote on the Aldi Mums Facebook page.
“When I look at the ingredients, which are pretty much the same, I know which one I want” ”.
The customer also said that the ALDI version is a lot less expensive than Chicken Tonight, which costs $3 at Coles and Woolworths.
Similarities in the ingredients lists have raised questions over whether the two buys are made by the same supplier – despite the different price points.
The Chicken Tonight version proudly states it is made in Australia from at least 90 per cent Australian ingredients.
An ALDI spokesperson confirmed the Colway variety is also made on local shores – but didn’t elaborate on whether it was made at the same factory as Chicken Tonight
“Our Colway Honey Mustard Simmer Sauce guarantees a delicious dinner that we’re thrilled to see customers raving about,” an ALDI spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au.
“At under 50 cents a serve it not only delivers brilliant value to Aussie families, but is also manufactured here in Australia.”
Facebook users said it wasn’t the first time that they’d noticed similarities between ALDI products and similar big-name buys.
“Same as their frozen Cuisine Pizza, it’s just McCains,” one said. “So if you like it, so much cheaper.
“I buy them and add extra topping. I bought some today under $4 each, but they didn’t have Hawaiian (for my younger kids) went to Coles and same pizza cost me $8.50.”
One more wrote: “I bought the ALDI meat lovers pizza and you know what it’s tastes exactly the same as the Coles or Woolies McCains brand one.”
However some ALDI fans said they could taste a clear difference between the ALDI honey mustard sauce and the Chicken Tonight variety.
“It’s funny you say this. I love ALDI and don’t snub anything but this is one of the very few things I find isn’t as good as the full branded one!” one said.
Wrote a third: “I personally think the ALDI brand of the honey mustard sauce is so much nicer than other brands. I usually make it from scratch though, and my kids prefer the ALDI butter chicken sauce to others also.”
Said one more: “I’ve had both, and can definitely taste the difference. I much prefer the Chicken Tonight one Masterfoods does have a great recipe base one, too.”
Chicken Tonight is a brand that elicits nostalgia for many who grew up in the 90s This zesty sauce transformed boring chicken into something exciting with just a few shakes from the bottle The catchy “I Feel Like Chicken Tonight” jingle played endlessly on TV, cementing the brand as a staple in households across America and beyond. But over time, Chicken Tonight faded from the spotlight and supermarket shelves. So what exactly happened to this once-popular sauce?
The Origin Story
Chicken Tonight began in the US in 1990 under the Ragú brand, which is owned by the huge food company Unilever. It was advertised as an easy way to make dinner during the week: just grill, bake, or pan fry some chicken and add the sauce. At first, there were only three flavors: Country French, Honey Mustard, and Sesame Ginger.
And over the next few years, Unilever brought Chicken Tonight to Canada, the UK, and Australia, where it became a huge hit. By 1993, there were ten flavors, such as Thai Green Curry, Tomato Basil, and
Soaring Success
In the 90s and early 2000s, Chicken Tonight saw booming success, especially in Europe and Australia. The sauce tapped into consumers’ desire for quick, flavorful meals with minimal prep work. Having to cook chicken and then make a sauce from scratch on a busy weeknight wasn’t practical for most. Chicken Tonight provided a tasty, convenient alternative.
The brand’s quirky marketing also contributed to its popularity. It was impossible to forget the catchy jingle “I Feel Like Chicken Tonight,” which was sung by actors excitedly flapping their “wings.” Starting in 1996, Chicken Tonight UK ads also showed football player Ian Wright. The commercials with the well-known athlete helped people remember the brand and like it.
Declining Demand
Chicken Tonight’s fortunes began to change in the mid-2000s. Although still popular in some markets like the UK and Australia, demand was dropping in the US. Consumers started gravitating toward fresh, organic and all-natural products, viewing pre-made sauces as overly processed. New competitors also entered the scene, chipping away at Chicken Tonight’s market share.
Unilever made efforts to revamp the brand, adding new flavors like Chipotle and Modern Chinese and trying updated packaging and marketing. But the efforts failed to resonate. By 2011, Unilever decided to cut its losses and sold Chicken Tonight to Symington’s in the UK and Simplot in Australia and New Zealand.
Life Support in Select Markets
Today, Chicken Tonight still exists in a handful of countries, although its popularity is a shadow of its former self. Simplot continues to offer [6] flavors in Australia. In the UK, Symington’s reduced the range to just [3] options.
The brand remains on life support in these select pockets. But it’s hard for it to stay relevant without the distribution power of a big company like Unilever. Most younger consumers don’t have any awareness of Chicken Tonight. Compared to bolder, ethnic, and specialty sauces on the market today, this one tastes old and worn out.
While Chicken Tonight had a great run in the 90s, its moment seems to have passed. The rise of healthy eating and artisanal foods has made the brand a relic. For those who fondly remember Chicken Tonight, it holds a nostalgic place. But it’s unlikely this sauce will enjoy a resurgence anytime soon. The rapid boom and decline of Chicken Tonight reflects the fleeting nature of food fads and changing tastes over the decades. Brands must constantly evolve and innovate to stay in the game. For Chicken Tonight, that proved to be an insurmountable challenge.
ALDI shopper rates every frozen pizza
ALDI customer caused a stir when they shared an amazing find on the back of a jar of Honey Mustard Chicken Tonight Cooking Sauce.
The shopper shared on a popular Facebook group a picture of the popular store-bought item along with the ALDI version of the same thing.
The customer was surprised to see that the Colway Honey Mustard Simmer Sauce, which is only sold at ALDI, had almost the same list of ingredients as the Chicken Tonight version when they looked more closely at the back label.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
“And to think there are still people out there who refuse to shop at Aldi because they think their products aren’t as good,” she wrote on the Aldi Mums Facebook page.
“Comparing the ingredients – which are as similar as you can get – I know which one I’ll be reaching for.”
The customer also pointed that the ALDI version is significantly cheaper than Chicken Tonight, which retails at Coles and Woolworths for $3.
“Saving over $1 a jar,” the ALDI shopper said.
Similarities in the ingredients lists have raised questions over whether the two buys are made by the same supplier – despite the different price points.
The Chicken Tonight version proudly states it is made in Australia from at least 90 per cent Australian ingredients.
An ALDI spokesperson confirmed the Colway variety is also made on local shores – but didn’t elaborate on whether it was made at the same factory as Chicken Tonight
“Our Colway Honey Mustard Simmer Sauce guarantees a delicious dinner that we’re thrilled to see customers raving about,” an ALDI spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au.
“At under 50 cents a serve it not only delivers brilliant value to Aussie families, but is also manufactured here in Australia.”
Facebook users said it wasn’t the first time that they’d noticed similarities between ALDI products and similar big-name buys.
“Same as their frozen Cuisine Pizza, it’s just McCains,” one said. “So if you like it, so much cheaper.
“I buy them and add extra topping. I bought some today under $4 each, but they didn’t have Hawaiian (for my younger kids) went to Coles and same pizza cost me $8.50.”
Added another: “Same as their chips. They are the Kettle chips repackaged.”
One more wrote: “I bought the ALDI meat lovers pizza and you know what it’s tastes exactly the same as the Coles or Woolies McCains brand one.”
However some ALDI fans said they could taste a clear difference between the ALDI honey mustard sauce and the Chicken Tonight variety.
“It’s funny you say this. I love ALDI and don’t snub anything but this is one of the very few things I find isn’t as good as the full branded one!” one said.
However she later questioned her judgement after noting that “the ingredients are almost identical!”
Another said: “ALDI one tastes way better if you ask me.”
Wrote a third: “I personally think the ALDI brand of the honey mustard sauce is so much nicer than other brands. I usually make it from scratch though, and my kids prefer the ALDI butter chicken sauce to others also.”
Said one more: “I’ve had both, and can definitely taste the difference. I much prefer the Chicken Tonight one Masterfoods does have a great recipe base one, too.”
I Feel Like Chicken Tonight (1992)
FAQ
What happened to the product Chicken Tonight?
The American version of the product was met with limited success; however, as of 2025, it is still sold in Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Association football player Ian Wright appeared in commercials for the product.
What were the flavors of Chicken Tonight?
Cooking SaucesChicken Tonight Honey & Mustard Cooking Sauce 485g. Chicken Tonight Cacciatore Cooking Sauce 500g. Chicken Tonight Mild Butter Chicken Cooking Sauce 495g. Chicken Tonight Creamy Mushroom Cooking Sauce 475g.
What happened to chicken the Comedian?
Personal life and death: Roof’s wife called the police early in the morning of June 9, 2009, to say that he was missing. After a few hours, his body was found hanging from a tree in the woods near the parking lot for an elementary school in Snellville, Georgia.
What happened to Holly Farms chicken?
What happened to Chicken Tonight sauce?
Chicken tonight, a popular brand known for its range of flavorful sauces, has unfortunately discontinued its production and is no longer available for purchase. Many loyal fans of the brand who liked how easy it was to use and how good the chicken tonight sauces tasted might be let down by this news.
What is Chicken Tonight?
Chicken Tonight is a brand of sauce intended to be added to chicken pieces in a frying pan, available in flavors such as Honey & Mustard, Country French and Thai Green Curry.
Why was Chicken Tonight discontinued?
The exact reasons for the discontinuation of Chicken tonight’s production are not publicly known. However, market factors such as changes in consumer preferences, increasing competition, or production costs might have influenced the decision. 4. Are there any plans to bring Chicken tonight back?
Why did my chicken die?
The chicken’s death might be due to a weak and fragile liver. However, chickens can die for many reasons unrelated to their care, such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke. The only way to know for sure is to get a necropsy. I’m sorry for your loss.
What happened to Chicken Little?
An acorn hit Chicken Little on the head when a gust of wind blew through the trees while he was playing in the road.
Is Chicken Tonight making a comeback?
There have been no official statements or announcements regarding the potential revival of Chicken tonight. As of now, it is safe to assume that Chicken tonight will not be making a comeback in the near future. 5. How long has Chicken tonight been around? Chicken tonight has been a trusted brand in the culinary world for decades.