Does KFC Have Grilled Chicken? (2023 Guide)

If you love fried chicken, then you are going to know the name KFC or Kentucky Fried Chicken! It’s famous worldwide for its succulent fried chicken pieces with a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices created by KFC founder Colonel Harland Sanders.

With humble beginnings in North Cobin, Kentucky, back in 1952, it’s now the second most popular fast-food chain in the world. KFC restaurants offer a whole range of fried chicken, sides, combo deals, desserts, salads, and more.

But does KFC also offer grilled chicken? Let’s find out…

Does KFC Have Grilled Chicken?

You’ll be pleased to know that, yes, KFC now includes a healthier version of its delicious fried chicken on their menus! It comes in the form of grilled chicken, which is cooked in a way that dramatically improves nutrition and lessens calories.

How awesome is it to know that you can still enjoy the same great taste of KFC fried chicken without the worry of it messing up your macros?! I’ll be taking a look at how it’s cooked for all you health-conscious chicken lovers out there a little later on!

How Long Has KFC Grilled Chicken Been Around?

KFC has had grilled chicken on their menu for quite some time now. It first launched in a few franchises back in 1993 and rolled out storewide around 2009.

KFC grilled chicken was initially received with mixed reviews as a healthier option than its more famous Original and Extra Crispy Recipes. Healthier in that each piece contains fewer calories, less fat, carbs, and salt. Available in KFC locations worldwide, it looks like the Kentucky Grilled Chicken is here to stay.

How Does KFC Cook Their Grilled Chicken?

Well, I’m so glad you asked. It’s a pretty simple three-step process…

1 Marinading

First off, each piece is marinated in a salt and MSG brining solution for a few hours, which really tenderizes the meat and aids in staying super moist during the cooking process.

2 Smoke and Seasoning

The next step sees the chicken coated in smoke-flavored oil, which adds a lot of smokey flavors, akin to it being cooked on an open BBQ grill. It also doubles as an adhesive for the secret spice and herb blend to stick to the chicken skin.

3 Patented Cooking Process

Then the chicken is placed on ribbed metal grills and placed into the convection oven to cook. When the chicken is cooked, it emerges from these plates with scorched grill marks on them, nothing fake; it’s the real deal!

How Many Calories in KFC’s Grilled Chicken?

For those keeping check of their macros or following a strict eating regime, there is loads of information out there to keep you on track.

According to KFC’s website, each grilled chicken breast contains 220 calories, 7g fat, 0g carbs, and 40g protein. Let’s compare that to an original recipe breast – 360 calories, 21g fat, 11g carbs, and 34g protein. The grilled breast has 140 fewer calories, 14g less fat, 11g fewer carbs, and 6g more protein. That’s a huge difference!

Let’s look now at the super-popular Extra Crispy Chicken breast with – 510 calories, 33g fat, 16g carbs, and 39g protein. Compare this to the grilled breast, and the numbers speak for themselves. KFC’s grilled breast has a whopping 290g fewer calories, 26g less fat, 16g fewer carbs, and the protein is a marginal 1g less.

What about the other options?

The grilled chicken breast is the biggest piece and therefore carries the weight of the highest macros (see what I did there)?!

Here are the other grilled chicken pieces’ nutritional content from highest to least after the breast. Grilled thigh – 170 calories, 10g fat, 0g carbs, and 19g protein. The grilled drumstick comes in with 90 calories, 4g fat, 0 carbs, and 13g protein. Finally, the smallest piece is the mighty grilled whole wing, which has 80 calories, 5g fat, 1g carbs, and 10g protein.

The difference in nutritional values across the styles of cooking with KFC’s pressure fryer and grill racks are massive! These substantial differences are not just related to the cooking method but also the way the chicken pieces are prepared before the cooking process.

Is KFC Grilled Chicken patented?

Yes! Both of KFC’s main cooking styles have been patented according to Insights by GreyB. It was the pressure fryer that Winston Shelton designed under the guidance of Colonel Sanders in 1962.

Then in 2006, the grill racks were patented for KFC’s Grilled Chicken. Interestingly KFC holds 21 patents, with 19 of them having been granted! From self-cleaning convection ovens to food packaging and beverage containers. Unbelievably in 2020, these patents pulled in a staggering $1.74 billion for the KFC conglomerate.

What options are there for KFC Grilled Chicken?

There a quite a few options to choose from in KFC’s grilled chicken range, including breast, thigh, drumstick, and wing.

Read more: Does McDonald’s Have Gravy?

Is KFC Grilled Chicken Gluten-Free?

Unfortunately, no. KFC grilled chicken is not gluten-free. In fact, to date, NONE of their chicken items are gluten-free, according to their website.

However, there are still a few tasty options that are. These include a lot of their sides, namely – coleslaw, mashed potato (but not the gravy), corn on the cob, potato salad, and sweet kernel corn. As well as some of their salads, dressings, sauces, condiments, and drinks.

Thinking of a Job at KFC?

Then check out our in-depth look at the KFC Application, plus the most common KFC Interview Questions you are likely to be asked in 2023.

Or, you might fancy some other food retailers; if so, find out about the Chipotle Mexican Grill Application, the Panera Bread Application, the Dominos Pizza Application, or the Dairy Queen Application. Or how about the Starbucks Application, the Five Guys Burgers And Fries Application, or the Auntie Annes Application.

It’s also worth taking a look at the Best Fast Food Jobs for Teens for even more great employment options.

Or, if you want to show your love of the brand, get yourself a POP Ad Icons: KFC – Colonel Sanders Funko Pop! Vinyl Figure or a pair of 3D Printed Graphic Kids Youth Sizes (Fits Ages 5-9) Mid Crew Socks.

Does KFC Have Grilled Chicken? – Final Thoughts

KFC is synonymous with the words “fried chicken” and now “grilled chicken,” too!

There are 3977 stores in the US and almost 25,000 franchises across the globe covering 146 countries and territories. KFC has adopted a healthier way in which you can enjoy its signature style and flavor with fewer calories by offering its customers grilled chicken. Perfect for family nights in or a tasty lunch stop when out, KFC’s grilled chicken is a ‘winner winner, chicken dinner’!

Enjoy a healthy option at KFC!