We've got the low-down on gluten-free diets.

Food on the Run – Is KFC Becoming KGC?

Share on Yahoo!

By: Tanya Jolliffe : 4/27/2009 6:47:01 AM : 203 comments

Move over fried chicken because starting today, April 27th, KFC introduces Kentucky Grilled Chicken.

We previously reviewed KFC in our ongoing Food on the Run series. However, the new grilled chicken offers a healthier chicken option while still maintaining the finger lickin' good flavor and we wanted to take another look.

Is the new chicken really that much better nutritionally?

The new Kentucky Grilled Chicken has its own special recipe and is slow roasted to juicy perfection in new franchise custom designed ovens. The grilled secret recipe is a blend of six herbs and spices compared to the Original Recipe's 11 herbs and spices originally developed by chain founder Colonel Sanders. The new grilled chicken provides fewer calories, few fat grams and less sodium than Original Recipe counterparts.

KFC has tried non-fried chicken options before but they were not on the menu for long. In the early 1990's, a rotisserie-style chicken was introduced and a tender roast product shortly after that. Long cooking times and equipment problems caused both of those efforts to fail shortly after introduction. This time, KFC leaders feel they have found the right non-fried product. The grilled chicken will cost the same as the Original Recipe trademark fried chicken which should make it a great additional alternative to sit next to the Extra Crispy as an alternative to Original Recipe.

KFC Grilled Chicken Nutrition Data

Wing
Calories - 80
Fat - 4 grams
Sodium - 160 mg
Protein - 10 grams

Breast
Calories - 180
Fat - 4 grams
Sodium - 440 mg
Protein - 35 grams

Drumstick
Calories - 70
Fat - 4 grams
Sodium - 200 mg
Protein - 10 grams

Thigh
Calories - 140
Fat - 9 grams
Sodium - 320 mg
Protein - 15 grams

Healthy Meal Ideas

Grilled Chicken Breast with Green Beans and Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Calories – 330
Fat – 8 grams
Sodium – 1370 mg
Carbohydrates – 25 grams
Fiber – 3 grams
Protein – 38 grams

Grilled Whole Wing and Drumstick with a small corn on the cob, mean greens and a biscuit
Calories – 430
Fat – 17 grams
Sodium – 1290 mg
Carbohydrates – 43 grams
Fiber – 5 grams
Protein – 29 grams

You can give the new grilled chicken a try for free on April 27th at participating KFC restaurants. The offer is limited to one free piece per person and the selection is the manager's choice and may vary by location.

Tell us what you think about the new grilled addition to KFC. Is this a good addition? Will you give it a try?

Click here to to redeem your SparkPoints

You will earn 3 SparkPoints

Share on Yahoo!

NEXT ENTRY > Pets Do Our Bodies Good: Do You Agree?

Comments (Scroll to end to leave a comment)

JIBBIE49 1/18/2010 11:34:49 AM	Love KFC.	203
ADBEAU 1/17/2010 7:54:49 PM	Not a KFC fan, but those are some relatively balanced meal options and the chicken is lower sodium than I would have suspected.	202
RABBYDUBY 1/15/2010 7:48:02 AM	I've tried and i love. i will eat it again.	201
SANDYSKY1 1/11/2010 6:30:24 PM	I won't eat at KFC either. I like to know where the meat is coming from, what it looked like raw and how it was cooked.	200
LADYAQUATAINE 1/8/2010 11:43:50 AM	I'll give it a try, I don't go there bcz of the high salt content, but sounds like the grilled chicken is better.	199
CATHWREN 1/7/2010 2:22:16 PM	I tried the grilled thigh once and it was very dry. I hate to think what the breast would have been like. I was very disappointed. But from reading other posts, maybe I just got a bad batch. Maybe I'll try it again.	198
CRUZN2LUZN 12/7/2009 1:43:47 PM	I have tried a couple of times and it is definitely worth remembering for an easy meal.	197
NICKI2B 11/30/2009 11:12:37 AM	Has to be an improvement. The last two times I ate fried chicken there the grease was so thick (and old?) it stuck the bottom of my tongue to my mouth, and tasted really bad. Maybe the grease needed changed or something. Never went back and wont unless part of a group that's going. Then I might try the grilled chicken there. That was really strange though, I have eaten alot of fried chicken in my time and have never had that bad of an experience anywhere else... My friend that was with me didn't notice it. Maybe it was just me... still twice is my limit.	196
CPKING 9/8/2009 8:45:53 PM	I've tried the KGC twice..... The first time it was pretty good, salty, but it was a nice substitution to the fried chicken. The second time it really did look like a pigeon wing! The pieces were itty, bitty and hard. I think it really depends on which restaraunt you go to. Either way its better than the greasy fried chicken i've been eating.	195
JUNEBUG1944 9/1/2009 3:35:34 PM	I was really excited to see this new addition...then I bought it. I swear the legs came from pigeons. All the pieces were small. The legs and wings were dry and tough. One thigh was so dry that I swear it was deep fried, not grilled. I complained and the manager said she didn't know what to do about how small the pieces were after they were grilled. Well, if the bone is 3" after it was grilled...it was 3" long BEFORE it was grilled.	194
OCEANPOTION 8/31/2009 12:39:53 PM	won't eat at KFC.	193
YICHE12 8/31/2009 8:15:54 AM	Great! I have NEVER enjoyed fried foods so this is great news! This will definitely be one of my pit stops when I go visiting Canada.	192
PUTTITAT 8/24/2009 5:02:13 PM	I tried it and loved it. I had the thighs and mine were huge! My hubby asked, "Is that a thigh or a breast? LOL I had the mashed potatoes and gravy with one biscuit, but we were sharing a 9 pc. bucket with my grandkids, so therey were not big portions of the potatoes. Very yummy--I will remeber this, when I am traveling in Europe, since have noticed they ARE over there. Great for a quick meal when traveling, yet healthier than most other 'quick meals'.	191
TERESAWESTER 8/24/2009 12:45:07 PM	I have tried it and it was good but DH didn't. So he gets his fried and I get mine grilled. It still works out for both of us.	190
SDP6550 8/24/2009 11:43:36 AM	I will try the new grilled chicken--sounds good to me! I have seen the commercials, but just havne't gotten there yet. I am also afraid I would blow it by eating their delicious biscuits.....	189
MITECU 8/17/2009 12:05:53 PM	I tried it and found that it was dry. Maybe it was the KFC I went to.	188
NICKSGIRL81303 8/15/2009 11:28:41 AM	I can't wait to try it. May even do so this weekend!	187
ALKATRIOS 8/7/2009 6:17:51 PM	I have to say... When they first came out- the ten piece bucket over flowing... (PICTURED IN THEIR AD AND ON THEIR WINDOW) I purchased 2 buckets for family helping to move another family into a new home... The bucket was 1/2 full each and the pieces were more like a cornish game hen, I was very disappointed. It was also very dry. I complained about it and they were getting ready to close, they told me it was freshly cooked chicken but they still had problems keeping it from drying out. They would replace 1 bucket but not that night because they were cleaning up. I went back 2 days later and they did NOT honor their coment to replace the 1 bucket... I have been waiting to get that off my chest. I won't go back. Maybe they have worked out some kinks but they can't advertise a full bucket and end up giving you a half.....	186
KATYCATT 7/29/2009 11:37:13 AM	Loved KFC's chicken breast and drumstick and am so pleased - it's not nearly as bad as I was scared it was goign to be when I went to their nutrition sight. Yum yum. it's my new substitute for non-subway days.	185
BELLELT 6/23/2009 9:43:58 PM	I dont like to use the word never, because it is only true that God will never leave us of forsake us and He will never stop loving us, but I will this time: I will never eat KFC again. by my choice.	184
IRELAND-IN-10 6/22/2009 9:37:45 AM	YUM! I've had the Kentucky Grilled Chicken and it was GREAT! It was similar to a very nice, moist rotisserie chicken- the breast had only 150 calories. Because the meal is 2 pieces, plus sides, I was able to use it as lunch AND dinner and not feel cheated. I would definitely do KFC again for this meal. They have it for $3.99 right now!	183
TX_WILDHEART 6/8/2009 8:28:29 AM	Sorry. I boy-cotted KFC after watching the PETA video showing the chicken farms and the techniques they use. I can NOT in good conscious eat from any establishment by this name. It's THAT bad. AND whats worse.. they dont care! Their practises are practicually inhuman and barbaric, and heart-wrenchingly abusive. Do they really NEED to burn out the eyes of the chicken with their ciggarette? Really? NO. So I refuse to eat there! Sorry.	182
LEONALIONESS 6/7/2009 2:35:32 PM	Nope. Even if I did eat meat, I'd never eat at KFC. They have absolutely horrible animal welfare practices. Google it, you'll see what I mean.	181
LOVESUN2 5/31/2009 7:20:34 AM	I have tried the grilled chicken breast and it was great. I am so glad to see a healthy choice on their menu.	180
DODANEODWYER 5/25/2009 11:52:43 PM	Sure - I'll try it - anything is better than their regular stuff!	179
BELLELT 5/21/2009 1:16:59 PM	I did not like the nutritional feel of the chicken. I picked up two grilled breast to put on a salad when I got home. I used three papertowels to get the grease off and the box was full of where the grease leaked out. It was very yummy. I was sharing the breast with my mom. I will not go again. I like chik fil a better	178
GODDESSANGIE 5/11/2009 3:34:51 PM	Wow, those meal options are awsome. For some reason even though I knew it wasnt fried I still thought it was going to be WAY bad for me. I can (maybe) finally return to KGC.	177
LAURIEBLUEEYES 5/6/2009 7:47:31 PM	I had the grilled breast with corn-on-the-cob and mashed potatoes and gravy. Was pleasantly surprised at how flavorful it was! Glad to have a new, healthier, fast food choice :)	176
LILLYBETH123 5/4/2009 6:48:47 AM	I tried the breast wing meal, it was good, but it was no original recipe. My fav;o)	175
S.TAYLOR2728 5/1/2009 4:37:00 PM	I had it for lunch. It was good I really liked it. My only complaint is the pieces were so tiny. I'm not used to having pieces that are twice as small than ones I buy from the supermarket. I felt like I was eating a pigeon or something	174
DRAMATICK 5/1/2009 10:08:30 AM	Hmmm. I ordered a leg and thigh meal and was given a wing and breast. The breast meat was dry and the wing was scrawny. I'll give 'em one more try, 'cos maybe that was a fluke.	173
SCARLET29 5/1/2009 9:39:33 AM	I tried it and love it. Best part is I don't feel guilty afterwords!	172
41SUZY66 5/1/2009 12:32:43 AM	I love KFC and I'm so glad that they added to there menu GRILLED CHICKEN can wait to try it on SATURDAY, it's take out night, And i enjoy it cuz i don't have to cook...WOOHOO!!!	171
KELEIGHQT1 4/30/2009 10:13:14 PM	I tried the breast, corn, and mashed potatoes meal and it was pretty good! I did go all out and have a biscuit though... how can you not?!?	170
MEREMOM 4/30/2009 9:23:55 PM	It sounds good...I think I know what I'm having for lunch tomorrow!	169
ARTISTICA 4/30/2009 4:50:36 PM	I think its about time. I'm glad they decided to make the change. I'm excited to try their grilled chicken.	168
HIPPICHICK 4/30/2009 2:20:27 PM	I'm not usually a big KFC person in the first place, but when I heard about this I thought I might like to try it soon. I'm glad it is receiving such good reviews :)	167
SHELLIEMAY 4/30/2009 1:07:35 PM	I usually get the 3 wing meal, so I tried 3 grilled wings, greenbeans, small corn, and a biscuit. I loved it! I actually only at 2 wings and the vegetables, because my son ate the rest.	166
MBELLEVI 4/30/2009 11:43:15 AM	I tried the KFC grilled chicken breast last week and it was soo yummy! I can't wait to go back and get it again! It was healthy and filling- an all out good choice for lunch or dinner! :)	165
HONEYBEEZ 4/29/2009 10:14:45 PM	I tried it the other day, and really enjoyed it. Although the chicken was a little greasy, I could attribute that to the fact that the skin was on it...I have the same experience when I bake a chicken breast or thigh with the skin still on at home. It's definitely a good alternative for me....I don't really care much for the original recipe anymore...definitely too greasy. What I really like is that you can pick up a family meal or just the chicken, and mix or match. So, my hubby gets what he wants, I get what I want , etc. I will definitely pick up the chicken, again, but will stick with my own sides made at home.	164
BROWNNUBIA 4/29/2009 9:26:39 PM	I tried this the other day on my lunch break and I really enjoyed it. It was moist and seasoned just right. I know that I will be going back!	163
LAST_TIME_OUT 4/29/2009 4:29:50 PM	I wish they would leave the carb count on the single peices of chicken, not just the meals.	162
FOUNTAINDALE 4/29/2009 3:04:28 PM	I will definately try it.	161
25LADY 4/29/2009 10:25:24 AM	I tried this with my husband on Sunday, 4/26/09, since it was already being served at our KFC. I have to say that it was delicious, moist and meaty. More salty than I like but I took the skin off and it was fine!! Going back for more - the original is not on our agenda (plate) any more!!!	160
DOGGYBOOTY 4/29/2009 1:52:12 AM	My daughter and I actually tried it on the 26th because the KFC we stopped at had it already. I must say it is delicious! I will definitely get it again. :)	159
R2SMOM 4/29/2009 1:44:46 AM	Our KFC was already serving this before the 27th of April. My hubby & I tried it. The nice thing about it was it was juicy & we were able to remove the skin. We both decided that we liked it better than the original & we will probably go back & get some more.	158
*PIANOLADY** 4/28/2009 11:41:31 PM	I would love to try this. Will check to see if my local KFC has it. Thank you for posting about it.	157
MISSBEARYLOVES 4/28/2009 11:05:34 PM	I think I will try it. What could it hurt?	156
GASHEM 4/28/2009 10:33:22 PM	They have had this where I live for about a month. I decided to try it a couple of week ago but none was ready at either store near me. I was told there would be a 20 minute wait. Of course they offered me their other chicken...I declined. Since KFC was one of my binge/trigger foods I guess the Universe was trying to tell me something. So I went to the grocery store and picked up some rotisserie chicken for a whole lot less money. No KFC for me - not even the grilled.	155
LORRIBECKER1 4/28/2009 9:58:00 PM	I will give it a try, why not? It's better than fast food chicken sandwiches!	154