KFC Grilled Chicken - A Healthier Choice

by Bethany Sanders (Subscribe to Bethany Sanders's posts)
Apr 20th 2009 4:00PM

KFC is getting grilled ... grilled chicken, that is. The fast food chain, famous (or notorious, depending on how you look at it) for their crispy fried chicken is now offering a healthier, grilled version to their customers. Doug Hasselo, KFC's chief food innovation officer tells the Associated Press, "We think we finally have cracked the code." So I decided to see if they really had.

"Feel like getting a bucket of chicken?" I asked my husband over the weekend. When I told him that the only condition was I wanted to try the new grilled version, he didn't seem impressed. At the drive-thru, we discovered a bucket of grilled chicken was the same price as fried, a pleasant surprise. Once we got them home, we dug in. And they were good. Finger lickin' good. Tasty, I mean, but they're also definitely a better choice than the fried version. Let's compare:

Original Recipe: 110 to 370 calories with seven to 21 grams of fat, 290 to 1,050 mg of sodium
Grilled Chicken: 70 to 180 calories with four to nine grams of fat, 160 to 440 mg of sodium

At 440 mg, the sodium is still pretty high, but in general, those numbers aren't too bad. Improved enough for me to enjoy a couple of pieces without the guilt, though I skipped the mashed potatoes and gravy. Not only was it good, I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything.

So yes, KFC's new grilled chicken is a step in the right direction, but that doesn't necessarily make KFC a diet-friendly place. Last week, we talked about how healthy menu options might make you let down your guard and overeat. KFC is offering a healthier version of their chicken, but their sides are still pretty heavy: Mashed potatoes and gravy, biscuits and butter, and potato wedges, for example. It's something to watch out for whenever you eat out -- KFC included.

But still, I give kudos to KFC for finally giving their customers who want a healthier meal a reason to go through their drive-thru every once and a while.

What about you: Have you tried the new KFC Grilled Chicken? What did you think?

Diet Friendly Fast Food

By Karen Asp

You don't have to give up your favorite drive thru joints just because you're trying to slim down. Instead, make wiser choices, says Hope Warshaw, R.D., author of 'What To Eat When You're Eating Out.' Need some help? Click through this gallery of Warshaw's low-calorie picks at eight fast food restaurants.

McDonald's

1. Quarter Pounder without cheese and mayo (410 calories)

2. Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken (300 calories)

3. Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait with Granola (160 calories)

Subway

1. 6-inch Breakfast Western Omelet Sandwich (400 calories)

2. Veggie Delite Wrap (400 calories)

3. 6-inch Turkey and Ham Subon Honey Oat Bread (290 calories)

Panera Bread

1. Whole-Grain Bagel with 1 tablespoon reduced-fat veggie cream cheese (400 calories)

2. Low Fat Vegetarian Southwest Tomato and Roasted Corn Soup (110 calories for eight ounces)

3. Asiago Roast Beef Sandwich (350 calories for half)

Taco Bell

1. Tostada, Fresco Style (200 calories)

2. Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco, Fresco Style (170 calories)

3. Gordita Supreme Beef (310 calories)

Arby's

1. Chicken, Bacon and Swiss sandwich (460 calories)

2. Sourdough Ham Melt (380 calories)

3. Junior Roast Beef Sandwich (270 calories)

Fazoli's

1. Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce (450 calories for a small)

2. Cheese Pizza (270 calories per slice)

Chick-fil-A

1. Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich (270 calories)

2. Southwest Chargrilled Salad (240 calories)

3. Chick-n-strips (290 calories)

Au Bon Pain

1. Vanilla Yogurt with Granola and Blueberries (320 calories)

2. Jamaican Black Bean Soup (240 calories)

3. Turkey and Cranberry Chutney Sandwich (340 calories for half)

Source

Comments (5)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Busy Mom 4-23-2009 @ 9:30AM

I tried this chicken yesterday also, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I am a busy working mother, who also attends school part time. I stopped by and I must say the taste was wonderful. Almost tasted like something I would cook on my grill in the summertime. Its refreshing to know that I can offer a healthier alternative when it comes to fast food rather than the typical nuggets and fries!!! Kudos for KFC

Lina 4-21-2009 @ 9:01AM

I am not a fan of KFC anyway so the grilled chicken will not win me over.

http://www.beautycaremanual.com

Mike 5-21-2009 @ 6:31AM

I tasted a piece over the weekend and I must say it was pretty greasy on the inside, just like it had been deep fried. The meat tasted just as greasy as their regular fried chicken, minus the breading on the outside. I wasn't impressed.

Darleen 6-22-2009 @ 11:54PM

Tried white meat the other nite, I usually get the ec. I took the skin off and the taste was great, moist, not greasy. I will definitily get this again, not only for the health benefits, but for the taste.