March 24, 2008
For 65 years, variety has come in the form of “original” and “extra crispy,” but now Kentucky Fried Chicken is defying all logic — to say nothing of its name — and offering a grilled chicken menu item.
“This great tasting product will help KFC continue to evolve and increase our relevance among consumers looking for nonfried menu options,” said Gregg Dedrick, president of KFC. “And, as always, it will deliver the great flavor our customers have come to expect.”
In an all-too-fashionable healthy twist alternative for fast food restaurants, KFC says the new grilled item will have 60 to 180 calories and 3 to 9 grams of fat. Original Recipe chicken has 130 to 360 calories and 8 to 24 grams of fat, they said.
For the company, the challenge fell to them to develop a product that was healthy and fit Colonel Sanders’ original restaurant model.
“We have worked tirelessly to develop a grilled product that would have met Colonel Sanders’ high expectations for flavor and taste,” commented Doug Hasselo, Chief Food Innovation Officer at KFC. “It truly is finger lickin’ good.”
KFC says the grilled item is part of a larger effort to make the restaurant healthier. In a statement Monday, they said they were making strides to remove trans fats from their cooking processes and reduce salt in other menu items.
Kentucky Grilled Chicken is being test marketed in Indianapolis, Colorado Springs, San Diego, Oklahoma City, Jacksonville, Fla., and Austin, Texas. Grilled chicken is expected to appear on menues nationwide next year.
I tried this yesterday at the store in Bradenton, Florida at the intersection of SR 64 and I-75. This was absolutely the worst piece of chicken ever! It had no taste, was dried out, and had that mealy consistency, like eating the inside of a softball. Additionally, the fries were soggy, and the coleslaw was dry. I generally like the food at the store in Sun City Center, as they have turnip greens on the vegetable bar, but keep this grilled stuff out of your mouth!
I tried this chicken shortly after seeing a commercial. It was seasoned well and VERY flavorful. The franchise I visited was in the Colorado Spring area. Overall, this is a great idea and it works with my diet!
How are they grilling the chicken? They’d have had to renovate every KFC and install flame grills? Or is the chicken precooked at some huge facility, frozen and shipped to the individual locations to be RE-HEATED?
I’ve also read in other reviews that the “grill marks” are even actual grill marks and are embedded into the skin strictly for cosmetic purposes? I might give it a shot sometime but honestly, if I go to KFC, it’ll be for KENTUCKY “FRIED” CHICKEN! Hell, I can grill my own chicken!