In a push to a more healthy side of fast food, KFC has introduced their new grilled recipe.  Just how much better is this new chicken?  Over the past few days I have compiled information and tried it for myself but there is one matter that I found very shocking!

How Healthy Is It?

Comparing chicken to chicken, the “grilled” option is definitely much healthier than the previous fried option.  Below is a comparison between both grilled and fried based on nutritional facts.

Grilled

Breast = 180 calories and 4 grams of fat
Thigh = 140 calories and 9 grams of fat
Drumstick = 70 calories and 4 grams of fat
Wing = 80 calories and 4 grams of fat

Fried Original

Breast = 370 calories and 21 grams of fat
Thigh = 260 calories and 19 grams of fat
Drumstick = 110 calories and 7 grams of fat
Wing =   110 calories and 7 grams of fat

Fried Crispy

Breast = 490 calories and 31 grams of fat
Thigh = 370 calories and 27 grams of fat
Drumstick = 150 calories and 9 grams of fat
Wing = 150 calories and 10 grams of fat

As you can see, the new grilled option is about half that of its original and extra crispy choices.  The amount of sodium found in the grilled chicken is still pretty high at 440mg but at least it is a major improvement over the original at 1,050mg.  You can further reduce the calories of the chicken by removing the skin before you eat it.  This will also reduce the amount of saturated fats you take in as well.  The chicken also tastes more baked than it does grilled.  The next time I return I will ask a friend that works there if the chicken really is “grilled” and update this post in the comments section.

This is the Shocker Though!!

When KFC first released their new grilled chicken option to the public the PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine) conducted a test that brought back some alarming results!  Scientists went to six different stores and purchased two samples from each location.  Of those 12 samples that were laboratory tested, all of them came back positive for PhIP, a chemical that is considered to be a carcinogen by the government.

In case you are not familiar with this, PhIP is part of a chemical family known as HCAs.  These have been linked to various forms of cancer, such as breast cancer, in dozens of studies.  Every sample of the grilled KFC chicken also tested positive for at least on additional type of HCA.  There is no further public information available to determine whether the issue has been resolved.

Conclusion

Even though the chicken has changed for the better, the sides have not.  Those sides can really sabotage your diet!  Maybe they will continue their trend and take it a step further by introducing some more healthier options for side items.  By far, the best option available now is the green beans.  While KFC is moving to a more health “conscious” side, it is still far from what you can call health food.  The chicken you grill at home will still be much better for you than that served from the restaurant.

Full Nutritional Facts Can Be Found Here