KFC or Kentucky Fried Chicken is one of the largest fast food chicken chains in the world. They are best known for their signature fried chicken buckets and sandwiches. However, in recent years, KFC has expanded their menu to offer some healthier grilled chicken options as well. One common question that many customers have is whether KFC offers a grilled chicken breast sandwich or meal. The quick answer is yes, KFC does have grilled chicken breast on their menu. However, it may not be available at all locations or at all times. Below we will take a more in-depth look at KFC’s grilled chicken offerings and availability.
Background on KFC
KFC was founded in 1930 by Colonel Harland Sanders in Corbin, Kentucky. Sanders created a secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices to flavor his fried chicken which became immensely popular. Over the decades, KFC has grown to become one of the largest fast food chains worldwide with over 25,000 locations in more than 145 countries. Their signature menu items remain chicken on the bone pieces and chicken sandwiches coated in the secret original recipe breading and deep fried. However, KFC has expanded their menu significantly over the years to include other chicken items, sides, desserts and more.
In the early 2000s, there was growing consumer demand for healthier fast food options. Many chains like KFC added grilled chicken items to appeal to health-conscious diners. KFC debuted their grilled chicken in 2009 as a lower calorie, lower fat alternative to their famous fried chicken. It was part of a push towards offering lighter menu choices. The grilled chicken proved popular and became a permanent part of the KFC lineup.
KFC Grilled Chicken Breast Offerings
KFC currently offers grilled chicken in several forms including bone-in pieces, sandwiches, salads and sides. The primary grilled chicken sandwich is the KFC Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich. It features a seasoned whole chicken breast fillet grilled and served on a bun with lettuce and mayo. Customers can order it as a combo meal with a side and drink as well.
Some KFC locations also carry a variant called the Smoky Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich. As the name implies, it has a smoky flavoring in the seasoning blend. Additionally, KFC sometimes offers limited-time variations of the grilled chicken sandwich such as a Georgia Gold honey mustard or Nashville Hot spicy version.
Beyond sandwiches, KFC locations with bone-in grilled chicken may offer it as two- or three-piece meals. These come with the option of breast, thighs, drumsticks or mixed pieces. Sides often include mashed potatoes, coleslaw, biscuits and more.
Salads are another grilled chicken option at KFC. They have offered grilled chicken Caesar salads and grilled chicken salad bowls on past menus. Sides like grilled chicken breast strips have also been available seasonally.
So in summary, while options vary, KFC does carry grilled chicken breast sandwiches, pieces and other menu items at many spots. Check your local KFC to see if it is currently in stock.
Availability of KFC Grilled Chicken
The availability of grilled chicken offerings, including the grilled chicken breast sandwich, can vary greatly by location and season. There are a few reasons KFC may only offer it at certain spots or times of year:
– Regional tastes – Some parts of the country favor fried chicken while others prefer grilled. KFC caters their menu based on local tastes.
– Sales volume – If grilled chicken doesn’t sell well at a given restaurant, it may be removed. High-volume locations are more likely to sell enough to keep it in stock.
– Limited-time offers – When KFC introduces a new grilled chicken item, it may only be for a short promotion before discontinuing it.
– Seasonal options – Grilled chicken often sells better in the warmer summer months, so KFC locations may only carry it during these seasons.
– Equipment needs – Grilled chicken requires a grill in the kitchen, so older locations may not have been built to offer it. Newer spots are more likely to have the necessary equipment.
– Supply chain issues – Due to COVID-19 and other factors, KFC may face challenges getting sufficient supplies of grilled chicken breast meat. This can lead to temporary outages.
So while many KFC spots do offer grilled chicken breast, the item may not be available year-round. Check with your location to see if they currently have grilled chicken sandwich combos or pieces in stock before visiting. Understand that availability fluctuates.
Nutrition Info for KFC Grilled Chicken
Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| 260 | 3.5g | 29g | 39g |
The grilled chicken breast sandwich clocks in at 260 calories with 3.5g of fat, 29g of carbs, and 39g of protein. It has significantly less fat and calories compared to KFC’s fried chicken sandwiches which deliver 700-1,100 calories. The grilled version makes a healthier alternative.
Grilled Chicken Breast Piece (Bone-In)
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| 180 | 3.5g | 0g | 43g |
A grilled chicken breast piece contains 180 calories, 3.5g fat, 0g carbs, and 43g protein. Again, it has significantly lower fat and calories compared to a fried chicken breast piece from KFC. Going grilled saves you around 160 calories per breast piece.
Grilled Chicken Nutrition Advantages
As the nutrition tables illustrate, grilled chicken has key advantages over fried chicken options:
– Fewer calories – Grilled chicken cuts calories by 30-60% or more over fried chicken. Lower calorie counts make it better for weight management.
– Less fat – Grilling instead of deep frying reduces overall fat grams, especially unhealthy saturated and trans fats. This promotes heart health.
– No carbs – Grilled chicken adds no breading or batter so it eliminates the refined carbs and sugars in fried chicken coatings. This aids blood sugar control.
– More protein – Since it isn’t coated, grilled chicken delivers more pure protein per serving. Protein provides satiety and helps maintain muscle.
So for KFC patrons looking for healthier options, the grilled chicken items are generally lower in calories, fat, carbs and higher in protein. Grilled chicken makes a more diet-friendly alternative to fried chicken.
Taste and Texture Comparison
How does the taste and texture of KFC’s grilled chicken compare to their iconic fried chicken? Here is a brief overview:
– Taste – Grilled chicken has a simpler flavor profile. The seasonings provide light smoke, herbs and spices. Fried chicken is more rich, savory and indulgent with its secret recipe breading and external crispiness.
– Texture – Grilled chicken breast meat has a tender, juicy interior similar to fried. However, it lacks the ultra-crispy exterior breading crunch of fried chicken. The grilled skin gets browned but isn’t as crunchy.
– Marination – KFC grilled chicken is marinated in seasoning blends before cooking. Fried chicken gets flavor from the external breading adhesion process during frying.
– Sauces/toppings – While grilled chicken is fine plain, drizzles of sauce or toppings like cheese or bacon can provide added flavor. Fried chicken is already well seasoned.
Overall, grilled chicken offers a pleasant flavor albeit not as rich, crunchy and indulgent as fried chicken. Those watching their diets may find it an acceptable substitute, if not quite as crave-worthy as the fried original.
Cost Comparison
Here is a general cost comparison between select grilled chicken items versus fried chicken items at KFC:
| Item | Grilled Chicken Cost | Fried Chicken Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Breast Sandwich Combo | $6.49 | $8.49 |
| Breast Piece Combo | $4.99 | $6.49 |
| 3 Piece Breast Combo | N/A | $10.49 |
As seen above, grilled chicken items cost 20-25% less than comparable fried chicken items. However, some combos like a 3 piece mixed may only be available fried. Overall grilled chicken provides some cost savings, although prices vary by location.
How to Order KFC Grilled Chicken
Here are some tips for ordering grilled chicken items at KFC:
– Check availability – Consult the menu board or ask if they currently have grilled chicken in stock. As discussed earlier, it may not always be available.
– Know the options – Main grilled items are the sandwich, breast pieces and sometimes salads or sides. See what’s offered at that location.
– Specify grilled – Clearly request the “grilled” version if ordering chicken sandwiches, meals or salads to avoid fried.
– Order a combo – Opting for a grilled chicken sandwich or breast meal combo maximizes value and includes a side and drink.
– Ask about seasoning – Inquire if their grilled chicken is plain or seasoned for optimal flavor preference.
– Add sauces/toppings – Request any extra sauces like KFC’s signature Finger Lickin Good dipping sauce or spice it up with pickled jalapeños for more flavor.
– Repeat for clarity – Due to noise, reiterate “grilled chicken” when ordering to avoid confusion between grilled vs. fried.
Following these tips will help you successfully order grilled chicken items off the KFC menu. Adopting grilled chicken at KFC provides a healthier alternative to enjoy the Colonel’s chicken in a lighter way.
Grilled Chicken Preparation at KFC
So how exactly does KFC prep and cook its grilled chicken in-house? Here is an overview:
– Receiving – KFC restaurants receive fresh, raw, boneless skinless chicken breast fillets to use for grilled chicken items.
– Trimming – Employees trim any excess fat or connective tissue off the raw breasts to optimize quality.
– Portioning – Breasts are portioned into appropriate sandwich or piece sizes based on menu offerings.
– Marinating – Chicken portions are soaked and marinated in a proprietary blend of seasonings and herbs for enhanced flavor.
– Grilling – Breasts are grilled on a flat-top grill at a high temperature turning periodically to cook through and get grill marks.
– Holding – Once fully cooked, grilled chicken portions are held in a warming drawer or heated holding cabinet until needed for sandwiches or meals.
– Assembly – For sandwiches, grilled chicken is assembled on buns with desired condiments like lettuce and mayo then wrapped and served.
– Pairing – For meal combos, grilled chicken portions are paired with selected sides and customer beverage choice in take-out packaging.
Proper grilling technique and holding at safe temperatures ensures the grilled chicken retains ideal texture and moisture. This process delivers the quality grilled chicken flavor KFC customers have come to enjoy.
Tips for Grilling Chicken Breast at Home
While KFC’s grilled chicken breast is convenient, you can also replicate moist, flavorful grilled chicken breast yourself at home. Here are some tips:
– Pound to even thickness – Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound the breasts to about 1/2 inch thickness so they cook evenly.
– Brine if desired – For extra moistness, soak breasts in a saltwater brine bath for 30 minutes prior to grilling.
– Pat dry – Dry chicken breasts very thoroughly with paper towels before seasoning so marinade or spices adhere properly.
– Use spice rub – Coat both sides in olive oil then generously season with a spice rub blend, herbs, salt and pepper.
– Preheat grill properly – Heat your gas or charcoal grill to between 350-450°F. Clean grates thoroughly.
– Don’t move too much – Once chicken is placed on the grill, avoid moving or flipping too frequently. Let it cook 3-4 minutes per side.
– Get grill marks – Rotate chicken 45 degrees during cooking to get aesthetic grill marks. This also ensures even coverage.
– Check internal temp – Breasts should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.
– Let rest before slicing – Once off the grill, allow chicken breasts to rest 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
Follow these tips to achieve tender, juicy grilled chicken breast worthy of any cookout or summer barbecue at home. Adjust cooking times and temperatures as needed to accommodate thickness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, KFC does offer grilled chicken breast on their menu at many locations. It is featured in sandwiches, meals and salads as a lower calorie, lower fat alternative to their iconic fried chicken. While availability fluctuates, those seeking a healthier grilled option at KFC can inquire about getting it instead of fried chicken. With a few simple tips and techniques, it is also easy to replicate moist, flavorful grilled chicken breast yourself at home. So go ahead and give KFC’s grilled chicken a taste or fire up the grill yourself next time you get a craving for this lighter take on a classic.