KFC's Meatless 'Beyond Fried Chicken' Gets Limited-Time Rollout Across America

Gizmodo looks at 'Beyond Fried Chicken,' KFC's newest menu option from Beyond Meat, reporting that it's been available in limited U.S. test markets since 2019, until a few weeks ago when KFC announced a 'limited-time national rollout' across America.

'That began on January 10, with the company estimating supplies would last for around four weeks...'

Beyond Fried Chicken has the exact same breading as KFC's real chicken, complete with the dash of the chain's secret ingredient white pepper (once you know what it is, you can't fail to notice it), along with the MSG and salt. It was somehow both crisp and super oily. The actual 'Beyond' component of Beyond Fried Chicken tastes, well, like chicken. It's at the very least competitive with most other fast food nugget options, which may be saying a lot or a little depending on your view on nuggs.... I found the texture quite pleasant. I'm frankly not totally sure that I'd be able to tell the difference between them and one of KFC's discontinued nugget recipes in a blind taste test.

Though 'vegetarian' usually gets conflated with health, Beyond Fried Chicken is anything but. The company's guide indicates that a six-pack of the Beyond nuggets comes in at 480 calories, 27 grams of fat, and 1,440 milligrams of sodium. Mashed.com pointed out the closest comparable menu item, a kids' size Popcorn Chicken, comes in at 290 calories, 19 grams of fat, and 870 milligrams of sodium. But then, fast food is about indulging in something you know is a little bad for you....

Not that cats are a true measure of whether fake chicken can pass for the real thing, but I feel it's important to note in this review that my cats began swarming around the kitchen counter meowing from the second the bag was unwrapped.

The article includes footage of the cat eating one of the meatless chicken nuggets. And finally...
As for whether Beyond Fried Chicken is going to save the planet... that's the wrong question. Chicken is much better in terms of carbon footprint than beef. But eating something other than meat is better still. The peas it's made of are actually one of the most carbon-friendly, protein-rich foods.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.