Emily Carter
KFC has been experimenting with plant-based chicken options since 2019, when it first tested its Beyond Fried Chicken product in Atlanta, Georgia. Since then, the company has launched plant-based options in several countries, including the US, Canada, and the UK. While the plant-based chicken is no longer available in the US, it is still offered in other markets. The ingredients in KFC's plant-based chicken vary depending on the market and the specific product, but they generally include a combination of plant-based proteins, such as soy and wheat, as well as other ingredients like water, flour, canola oil, and natural flavorings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | KFC Beyond Chicken |
| Developed by | KFC and Beyond Meat |
| Main Ingredients | Soy and wheat proteins |
| Other Ingredients | Water, enriched wheat flour, soy protein isolate, canola oil, wheat gluten, natural flavorings, yeast extract |
| Breading | Similar to KFC's popcorn nuggets |
| Preparation | Fried in the same oil as animal-based chicken |
| Combo Meal | Comes with fries and a medium drink |
| A la carte | Six- or 12-piece orders with a dipping sauce |
| Availability | Launched on January 10, 2022, for a limited time |
| Price | $6.99 for six pieces |
| Locations | Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, and Southern California |
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What You'll Learn
KFC Beyond Fried Chicken Ingredients
KFC Beyond Fried Chicken is the result of a partnership between KFC and Beyond Meat. It was first tested in 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia, and then in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Nashville, Tennessee, in 2020. In 2022, it was rolled out nationally in the US for a limited time.
Beyond Fried Chicken is made primarily from soy and wheat proteins. The nuggets are coated with similar breading to KFC's popcorn chicken, and the ingredients include water, enriched wheat flour, soy protein isolate, canola oil, wheat gluten, natural flavorings, and yeast extract.
While the product is plant-based, it is not considered vegan due to being prepared in the same fryers as KFC's animal-based chicken. It is also not necessarily a healthier option, as plant-based does not always equate to healthy. However, it provides an alternative to factory farming and the harm it causes to the environment and animals.
Beyond Fried Chicken can be ordered a la carte in six- or 12-piece nugget orders with a choice of dipping sauce. It is also available as a combo meal with fries and a medium drink.
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Is KFC Plant-Based Chicken Healthy?
KFC Beyond Fried Chicken is the fast-food chain's first-ever plant-based combo meal. It was developed in partnership with Beyond Meat and launched in January 2022 in the United States after initial test runs in select cities. The meal includes fries and a medium drink, or customers can order the plant-based chicken à la carte in six- or 12-piece orders with their choice of dipping sauce.
Beyond Fried Chicken is made primarily of soy and wheat proteins, with a coating similar to KFC's popcorn chicken nuggets. The ingredients listed on the KFC website include water, enriched wheat flour, soy protein isolate, canola oil, wheat gluten, natural flavorings, and yeast extract.
While plant-based chicken may be appealing to those seeking alternatives to factory farming and the harm it does to the environment and animal lives, it is important to note that plant-based does not always equate to healthy. KFC's plant-based chicken is deep-fried, and like many plant-based meats, it tends to be highly processed with added saturated fat and sodium.
If plant-based chicken is made from whole-food ingredients like beans, legumes, or grains, it can be a healthy option. However, the health benefits of plant-based meat also depend on how it is prepared. KFC's plant-based chicken is prepared in the same fryers as their animal-based chicken, which may be a concern for some consumers, especially those who follow a vegan lifestyle.
While KFC's Beyond Fried Chicken provides an alternative to traditional chicken, it may not be significantly healthier than regular KFC food options. The appeal of this plant-based option lies more in its taste and freshness, with a slight adjustment period to get used to the "not quite chicken" texture.
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KFC Plant-Based Chicken: Vegan or Not?
KFC has been experimenting with plant-based chicken options since 2019, when it first tested its Beyond Fried Chicken product in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2022, the company launched its plant-based chicken nationwide in the US for a limited time, marking a significant step forward for plant-based meat alternatives.
Beyond Fried Chicken is the result of a partnership between KFC and Beyond Meat. It is made primarily of soy and wheat proteins, coated with similar breading to KFC's popcorn chicken. The ingredients listed on the KFC website include water, enriched wheat flour, soy protein isolate, canola oil, wheat gluten, natural flavorings, and yeast extract. While the product is plant-based, it is not considered a healthier option than regular KFC food. In fact, like many plant-based meats, it is highly processed and contains added saturated fat and sodium.
The product is not officially vegan, as KFC clarified that the plant-based nuggets were prepared in the same fryers as their animal-based chicken. Some vegans avoid eating foods that are prepared in non-vegan ways. However, the product does not contain any animal products, including milk, eggs, and honey, which excited many vegans.
The appeal of plant-based chicken goes beyond health and ethics, as it also supports alternatives to factory farming and the harm it causes to the environment and animal welfare. KFC's plant-based chicken received mixed reviews, with some praising its taste and texture, while others noted a slight difference from the traditional chicken experience.
KFC Canada has also introduced plant-based fried chicken options, partnering with Greenleaf Foods' brands Lightlife and Field Roast, which have a wide array of plant-based protein products. KFC's plant-based options in Canada include a sandwich (available in regular or spicy) and popcorn chicken.
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KFC Plant-Based Chicken Taste and Texture
KFC's plant-based chicken options have been developed in partnership with Beyond Meat and are called Beyond Fried Chicken. This plant-based offering is a result of KFC's mission to make its world-famous Kentucky Fried Chicken from plants.
Beyond Fried Chicken is made mostly of soy and wheat proteins and is coated with similar breading to KFC’s popcorn chicken nuggets. The nuggets are described as "fresh" and "crispy" with a slight "not quite chicken" texture. However, the adjustment period is short, and it would be difficult to tell the difference if one didn't know they were meat substitutes.
Beyond Fried Chicken is available in six- or 12-piece nugget options with a choice of dipping sauce. It can also be ordered as a combo meal with fries and a medium drink.
While plant-based options are often associated with health benefits, it's important to note that plant-based does not always equate to healthy. KFC's plant-based chicken is deep-fried and may contain added saturated fat and sodium, similar to their regular chicken products.
KFC's plant-based chicken provides an alternative to factory farming and the harm it causes to the environment and animal lives. It caters to consumers seeking meat-free options without compromising on taste.
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KFC Plant-Based Chicken: A National Rollout?
KFC has been working on introducing plant-based chicken to its menu since 2019, when it first tested a new product in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2020, it ran limited trials in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Nashville, Tennessee. In 2022, KFC launched its plant-based chicken, Beyond Fried Chicken, across the United States. This product was developed in partnership with Beyond Meat.
Beyond Fried Chicken is made from soy and wheat proteins, with a coating similar to KFC's popcorn chicken. The ingredients listed on the KFC website include water, enriched wheat flour, soy protein isolate, canola oil, wheat gluten, natural flavourings, and yeast extract.
Beyond Fried Chicken was available as a combo meal with fries and a drink, or a la carte in six- or 12-piece orders with a choice of sauce. The product was also available as nuggets, which received positive reviews for their taste and texture. However, it is worth noting that these plant-based nuggets were fried in the same oil as KFC's animal-based chicken, which may be a concern for some consumers.
While plant-based chicken is often associated with health benefits, the high level of processing and added saturated fat and sodium in plant-based meats can make them less healthy than expected. Nevertheless, plant-based options can reduce the environmental impact of factory farming and provide alternatives for those who do not consume animal products.
Following the launch in the United States, KFC Canada introduced its own plant-based fried chicken in 2020, with a one-day test in Mississauga, Ontario. The product was offered as a sandwich (regular or spicy) and popcorn chicken, with positive feedback influencing plans for a national rollout.
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Frequently asked questions
KFC's plant-based chicken is made mostly of soy and wheat proteins. It is also coated with similar breading to KFC's popcorn chicken nuggets. The KFC website lists the ingredients, including water, enriched wheat flour, soy protein isolate, canola oil, wheat gluten, natural flavorings, and yeast extract.
KFC's plant-based chicken was not officially vegan as it was prepared in the same fryers as their animal-based chicken. However, the product did not contain any actual chicken meat or animal products, including milk, eggs, and honey.
KFC's plant-based chicken was first tested in select stores in the United States in 2019 and then in 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Nashville, Tennessee. In 2022, it was temporarily rolled out nationally in the US. KFC Canada also introduced plant-based fried chicken in 2020, with a one-day test in Mississauga, Ontario.
