Wendy’s grilled chicken is a popular menu item at the fast food chain. Customers love the juicy, flavorful chicken breast fillets that can be ordered on sandwiches or as part of salads and meal combos. But what exactly goes into making Wendy’s grilled chicken? Here is a comprehensive look at the ingredients and prep process for this Wendy’s menu staple.
Ingredients in Wendy’s Grilled Chicken
The main ingredient in Wendy’s grilled chicken is obviously chicken. Wendy’s uses chicken breast fillets in their grilled chicken sandwiches and entrees. The chicken breasts are skinless and boneless. Here are the basic ingredients found in Wendy’s grilled chicken:
- Chicken breast fillets
- Water and seasoning
- Salt
- Sodium phosphates
- Sugar
- Spices
- Garlic powder
- Garlic juice
- Natural flavors
- Lemon juice concentrate
- Vinegar
The chicken breast fillets are the meat that forms the base of the grilled chicken. Water, salt, and sodium phosphates help retain moisture and texture. Spices like garlic powder, spices, and lemon add flavor to the chicken. Small amounts of sugar and natural flavors balance out the taste. Overall, the ingredients help to enhance the flavor and juiciness of Wendy’s grilled chicken.
Chicken Breast Fillets
The chicken breast fillets are skinless and boneless cuts of meat that come directly from the chicken breast. Using breast meat provides a leaner and lighter textured chicken compared to using thighs or wings. The fillets have more surface area than a whole breast, so they can develop more caramelization and flavor when grilled.
Wendy’s states that their chicken breast fillets are Grade A and never frozen. They source their chicken from trusted North American suppliers. The chicken arrives fresh, never frozen. Wendy’s claims that freezing chicken would damage the texture.
Water and Seasoning
The chicken fillets are submerged in a water bath solution before cooking. The water has added salt, seasonings, phosphates, and other ingredients. Soaking the chicken in this seasoned water bath accomplishes a few things:
- Helps the chicken retain moisture when cooked
- Allows the seasonings and flavors to penetrate into the meat
- Results in a juicier, more flavorful finished product
The water bath gives the grilled chicken its signature juicy texture and well-seasoned flavor.
Sodium Phosphates
You may notice sodium phosphates on the ingredients list. Phosphates are sometimes viewed negatively but they serve an important purpose here. Sodium phosphates help the chicken retain moisture and prevent it from drying out during cooking. This results in a juicier end product. The phosphates allow the chicken to soak up the seasoned water before grilling.
Sugar
A small amount of sugar is added to the chicken and water solution. Sugar helps balance out and enhance the other flavors. It adds a touch of sweetness to complement the savory, salty seasonings. The sugar helps create a balanced, craveable flavor profile.
Spices and Natural Flavors
To give Wendy’s grilled chicken its signature taste, a blend of spices and natural flavors is used. Some of the spices identified include garlic powder, thyme, oregano, paprika, and black pepper. Natural lemon juice concentrate adds citrus flavor. Vinegar brings tanginess.
The exact blend and amounts of spices and natural flavors is proprietary to Wendy’s. But the mix of seasonings and herbs is what gives the grilled chicken its distinct flavor that customers love.
How Wendy’s Prepares Grilled Chicken
Now let’s take a look at how Wendy’s actually prepares and cooks the grilled chicken in their restaurants. Here is an overview of the process:
- Chicken breast fillets are trimmed and cut to size
- Fillets are submerged in a water bath brine with salt, phosphates, and flavors for seasoning
- After brining, fillets are removed from the solution and allowed to drip dry
- Chicken then goes on Wendy’s signature “Flex Grill” and is cooked on both sides
- Internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure safety and doneness
- After grilling, fillets are held in a warming drawer until serving
Trimming and brining are key preparation steps. Brining the chicken is what allows the flavors to penetrate while retaining moisture.
Grilling on Wendy’s Flex Grill
Wendy’s specifically uses a grill called the Flex Grill to cook their grilled chicken. This grill has modular heating elements that Wendy’s states “amplifies the flavor profile” of their grilled chicken. The Flex Grill allows employees to control the heat and move the chicken as needed to get perfect char marks.
According to Wendy’s, their Flex Grill is a breakthrough grilling system that takes the flavor of their grilled chicken to the next level. The fillets are cooked on both sides until the internal temperature hits 165°F. This ensures that the chicken reaches the proper minimum temperature for food safety.
Holding and Serving
Once grilled, the chicken breast fillets are moved to a warming drawer. The fillets can be held here safely until needed for sandwiches and other menu orders. When it’s time to serve, employees assemble the grilled chicken on sandwiches or salads. The grilled chicken can be served on its own as an entree with sides as well.
Nutritional Information on Wendy’s Grilled Chicken
Wendy’s grilled chicken is not only delicious, but fairly nutritious as well. Since it starts with lean chicken breast meat, it provides a good dose of protein. The preparation also keeps it relatively low in sodium, fat, and calories.
Here is the basic nutritional information for a Wendy’s grilled chicken breast fillet weighing approximately 4 ounces or 120 grams:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180 |
| Fat | 3.5g |
| Sodium | 390mg |
| Carbs | 0g |
| Protein | 34g |
As you can see, a 4 ounce fillet provides 34 grams of protein for only 180 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. It also has just 390 milligrams of sodium, which is relatively low for a fast food menu item.
So in addition to being delicious, Wendy’s grilled chicken also packs a nutritious punch. It provides a good source of lean protein without too many calories, fat, carbs, or sodium.
Low Carb and Keto
With 0 grams of carbs, Wendy’s grilled chicken can fit into low carb and keto diets. You can order it without the bun on any sandwich for a low carb meal. Or enjoy it on its own or in a salad for little to no carbs.
Gluten Free
The grilled chicken on its own is gluten free as well. Again, you would just need to order sandwiches open face or without the bun to keep it gluten free.
How Long Can Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Be Stored?
If you don’t finish your entire Wendy’s grilled chicken sandwich or meal, you may want to bring some home. How long will the leftovers last in the fridge?
Here are some tips on storing Wendy’s grilled chicken:
- Refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours
- Store in a sealed container to prevent drying out
- Use within 3-5 days for best quality
- Reheat to 165°F until hot
- Do not freeze previously grilled chicken
- Discard if smells, tastes, or looks off
The USDA recommends consuming refrigerated leftovers within 3 to 4 days. Following basic food safety practices, Wendy’s grilled chicken should last 3 to 5 days max in the fridge.
Do not freeze chicken that was previously grilled, as the texture will degrade. Simply reheat leftovers gently until hot and enjoy within a few days. Discard if you notice any signs of spoilage.
Does Wendy’s Use Fresh or Frozen Chicken?
As mentioned earlier, Wendy’s proudly states that their grilled chicken is made from fresh, never frozen chicken breast fillets. The raw chicken delivered to Wendy’s restaurants arrives refrigerated, not frozen.
Why doesn’t Wendy’s use frozen chicken? According to Wendy’s, subjecting the chicken breast to freezing would damage the cell structure of the meat. This would cause the texture to become dry and stringy when cooked.
By using raw chicken that has never been frozen, Wendy’s can maximize the juiciness and flavor of the finished grilled chicken. Their suppliers deliver fresh chicken breast fillets that then go straight into the marinade and onto the grill.
Many customers appreciate that Wendy’s guarantees their grilled chicken is not made from frozen chicken. The use of never frozen breast fillets results in a tender, succulent finished product.
What Restaurants Have Similar Grilled Chicken?
Wendy’s isn’t the only fast food chain offering delicious grilled chicken. Here are some other restaurants where you can find comparable grilled chicken breast entrees and sandwiches:
Chick-fil-A
Known for their breaded fried chicken, Chick-fil-A also has a popular chargrilled chicken sandwich and nuggets. Their grilled chicken options are prepared similarly to Wendy’s.
McDonald’s
The McDonald’s Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich features a grilled chicken breast fillet. McDonald’s also has Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwiches and Salads on their menus.
Burger King
Burger King offers flame-grilled chicken sandwiches and entrees. Their grilled chicken breast has comparable nutrition and ingredients to Wendy’s.
Subway
Subway allows you to customize sandwiches with grilled chicken strips or chopped grilled chicken as the protein. Their chicken is grilled fresh in the store.
Arby’s
While known for roast beef, Arby’s also serves a Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Grilled Chicken Club made with grilled chicken breast meat.
These chains offer similar grilled chicken options to Wendy’s, often prepared in a similar fashion. Wendy’s grilled chicken stands out with its signature preparation method and seasoning blend. But you have plenty of fast food options for grilled chicken these days.
Tips for the Best Grilled Chicken at Wendy’s
To get the freshest and best tasting grilled chicken when visiting Wendy’s, here are some useful tips:
- Order it as part of a combo meal to save money
- Request it freshly grilled if dining in during slow periods
- Add cheese or bacon for extra flavor
- Go for spicy chicken if you like heat
- Get it without sauce to cut sodium
- Swap the bun for a salad if reducing carbs
- Watch sodium if limiting for health reasons
Opt for grilled chicken in a combo meal to get the best value. Build your perfect sandwich with favorite toppings and condiments. Order it freshly made if possible. And customize it to meet your dietary needs, whether low carb, low sodium, or otherwise.
With these tips, you can enjoy the best possible grilled chicken sandwich or entree when visiting your local Wendy’s. Their signature grilled chicken is juicy, flavorful, and totally crave-worthy.
Conclusion
Wendy’s grilled chicken is made from simple but high quality ingredients like chicken breast fillets, water, salt, spices, and seasonings. Key steps in Wendy’s prep process include trimming and cutting the raw chicken, brining in a seasoned water bath, grilling on a special Flex Grill, and holding at proper temps until serving. Wendy’s grilled chicken provides a good source of protein and few carbs, although sodium content is moderate. For the freshest taste, customize your order and request it freshly grilled if dining in. With its juicy texture and signature flavor profile, Wendy’s grilled chicken is a go-to option whether on sandwiches or as an entree.