Qdoba is a popular Mexican grill restaurant chain that serves burritos, tacos, quesadillas, bowls, salads, and other Mexican-inspired cuisine. One of Qdoba’s most popular menu items is their grilled adobo chicken. Customers often wonder whether Qdoba uses white or dark chicken meat in their recipes.
The Importance of Chicken Meat Type
For any restaurant that serves chicken, the type of chicken meat used is an important factor. Chicken can be divided into two main parts – the breast and the legs/thighs. The breast meat is lean and mild in flavor, while the thighs and legs have more fat, collagen, and flavor. Some key differences between white and dark chicken meat include:
- White chicken breast meat has fewer calories and less fat compared to dark meat.
- Dark chicken thigh and leg meat has a richer, meatier flavor.
- White breast meat can dry out more easily if overcooked.
- Dark thigh and leg meat stays juicier when cooked.
Restaurants need to consider the taste, texture, and health profile their customers prefer when choosing between white or dark chicken meat in dishes. The part of the chicken used impacts the overall dining experience.
Does Qdoba Use White or Dark Meat?
So what type of chicken does Qdoba use? According to Qdoba’s website and menu information, their restaurants use seasoned and grilled dark chicken thigh meat for items like burritos, bowls, tacos, and quesadillas.
Some key reasons Qdoba specifically chooses to use dark thigh meat include:
- Dark meat has a richer, more savory chicken flavor compared to white breast meat.
- Thigh meat remains juicier and doesn’t dry out easily when grilled.
- The higher fat content makes the thigh meat more moist and tender.
- Dark chicken meat fits in well with Qdoba’s boldly seasoned Mexican-inspired flavors.
Qdoba lightly seasons and grills their chicken to give it a tender, smoky flavor. Using dark thigh meat helps the chicken stay flavorful and moist, even after grilling and serving in a variety of dishes.
Customer Perceptions
While Qdoba clearly uses dark chicken thigh meat in their recipes, some customers speculate that they use a mix of white and dark meat. There are a few factors that contribute to this perception:
- Some customers prefer the milder flavor of breast meat and assume that is what Qdoba uses.
- Qdoba’s grilled chicken has a lighter appearance compared to fried dark meat.
- Other Mexican restaurants use a mix of white and dark chicken meat.
However, Qdoba has consistently stated they only use seasoned and grilled dark chicken thigh meat in their restaurants. All nutritional information, descriptions, and employee guidance reflects the exclusive use of thigh meat.
Comparing to Other Mexican Chains
Qdoba isn’t the only Mexican food chain that serves chicken – competitors like Chipotle, Moe’s, and Baja Fresh also have grilled chicken options. How does Qdoba’s choice of dark meat compare?
Chipotle
Chipotle uses responsibly raised chicken thighs or drumsticks that are grilled or braised for their restaurants. So they also use 100% dark chicken meat like Qdoba.
Moe’s
Moe’s restaurants have grilled chicken breast meat available, rather than dark meat. So Qdoba differs by exclusively using thigh meat.
Baja Fresh
Baja Fresh prepares fire-grilled chicken breast in their tacos, burritos, bowls and other menu items. Their grilled chicken is white breast meat only.
Among the major Mexican chains, Qdoba and Chipotle stands apart with their use of only dark chicken thigh meat, while Moe’s and Baja Fresh keep it lighter with white breast meat-only chicken items.
Nutrition Comparison
The type of chicken impacts the nutrition profile. Here is a comparison of Qdoba’s chicken ingredients to the white meat options from Moe’s and Baja Fresh:
| Restaurant | Serving Size | Calories | Fat (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qdoba Grilled Adobo Chicken | 3 oz | 110 | 3 | 17 |
| Moe’s Grilled Chicken | 4.6 oz | 140 | 1.5 | 28 |
| Baja Fresh Fire-Grilled Chicken Breast | 3 oz | 90 | 1 | 18 |
The darker chicken meat at Qdoba provides more fat and calories compared to white breast meat from the other restaurants. But the white meat options offer more protein per serving. All can fit into a balanced diet.
Preparation Methods
Along with the cut of chicken, preparation technique also impacts the nutrition, taste and texture:
- Qdoba – Thigh meat, seasoned with spices and grilled
- Chipotle – Thighs or drumsticks, grilled or braised
- Moe’s – Breast meat, grilled
- Baja Fresh – Breast meat, fire-grilled
Grilling imparts a charred, smoky flavor and caramelizes the meat. Braising and slow-cooking keeps the chicken extremely tender. The chefs at each restaurant carefully control temperature and cook times to get the best results from white or dark chicken cuts.
Is the Chicken Fresh or Frozen?
Both fresh and frozen chicken can be high quality and nutritious. Qdoba uses fresh, never frozen chicken thighs in their restaurants. The fresh thigh meat is delivered regularly to locations and held chilled at optimal temperature until cooking.
Using fresh chicken allows Qdoba to control for quality and consistency across their restaurants. It also fits in with the brand’s focus on bold, vibrant flavors in all their menu items.
Allergen Information
For guests with food allergies, it’s important to know exactly what ingredients are used. Qdoba cooks their chicken on shared grills in restaurants, so there is potential for cross-contact:
- Qdoba chicken does contain the major allergen poultry.
- Soybean oil is used on the shared grills, so soy exposure is possible.
- Qdoba states their chicken does not contain gluten, dairy or egg.
- Guests should mention any food allergies when ordering.
Those with sensitivities should stay in close contact with restaurant employees to ensure their meal is prepared safely.
Is the Chicken Organic or Antibiotic-Free?
Qdoba’s grilled chicken is not certified organic or antibiotic-free. They focus more on bold flavors, quality, and execution versus specialized sourcing.
However, Qdoba states their chicken is:
- Raised cage-free
- Fed a vegetarian diet
- Raised without administering hormones
While not antibiotic-free, Qdoba aims to serve chicken raised humanely and sustainably. Guests wanting certified organic, antibiotic-free chicken may prefer a different restaurant.
How Should Customers Order for Preferences?
Qdoba allows for some customization to accommodate customer preferences:
- Substitute grilled steak for chicken at no extra cost.
- Add extra chicken or steak for an upcharge.
- Select veggie or sofritas (organic soy-based crumbles) instead of chicken.
- Choose flour, corn, or lettuce wrap tortillas instead of white rice.
- Customize salsas, add-ons, and toppings to preference.
There are many ways to tailor a Qdoba meal. Guests can order off-menu by requesting special preparation to fit dietary needs or preferences. The restaurant aims to be flexible and accommodate requests whenever possible.
Does Qdoba Marinade the Chicken?
Yes, Qdoba does marinate their chicken in a special blend of seasonings and spices before grilling. According to company statements, their grilled adobo chicken thighs are marinated for at least 12 hours in a rich, flavorful blend.
Qdoba has not divulged the exact recipe, but their adobo marinade likely includes:
- Paprika
- Garlic
- Chili powder
- Pepper
- Vinegar
- Oil
- Onion
- Oregano
Letting the chicken marinate allows the spices and acid from vinegar to tenderize and infuse flavor. The marinade complements the savory chicken thigh meat. Grilling then adds a nice char.
Conclusion
Qdoba clearly uses seasoned, grilled dark chicken thigh meat in its recipes, rather than white breast meat. Choosing dark meat provides a richer taste and tender texture that suits Qdoba’s Mexican-inspired cuisine. While some customers speculate they use a chicken blend, all official sources confirm thigh meat is exclusively used across locations.
Compared to competitors like Chipotle, Moe’s and Baja Fresh, Qdoba stays true to dark meat chicken thighs. Their marinade and grilling process gives the thigh meat bold flavor. While not organic, antibiotic-free chicken, Qdoba states they use humanely raised, cage-free chicken. Customers can customize orders to accommodate preferences like adding steak instead of chicken.