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Chick-Fil-A Shows Spirit With Chicken Sandwich Giveaway

YumSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:50:10 -0700

Yet another reason to love Labor Day? Free food. To commemorate its second annual Chick-fil-A Kickoff football game, which takes place Sept. 5, fast food chain Chick-fil-A is giving out free Original Chicken Sandwiches to any customer wearing sports-related apparel on Labor Day, Sept. 7, from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The promo, which takes place at Chick-fil-A locations nationwide, states that acceptable sports clothing includes any article or accessory with a sports team logo. Not a sports fan? There's still a way for you to score: Go to this spinoff website and sign up to receive a coupon for a free sandwich. If you're one of the first 250,000, you'll also land a coupon for a free Coke Zero.

I no longer live near a Chick-fil-A, but if I were nearby, I'd definitely be in for one of the chain's signature crispy chicken sandwiches. What about you?

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Fast Food Breakdown: Chicken

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:30:00 -0800

When you're on the road, sometimes the occasional stop at a fast-food drive-thru can't be avoided. If you're not into ordering a hamburger and French fries because of the saturated fat and high calories, then chicken could be your choice for a lean protein. Choose your chicken wisely, though; not all your choices are necessarily lean. Check out how these popular fast foods compare.

Chicken	Calories	Saturated Fat (g)	Cholesterol (mg)	Sodium (mg)	Protein (g)
McDonald's McChicken Sandwich	360	3	35	830	14
McDonald's Grilled Chicken Classic Sandwich	420	2	70	1190	32
McDonald's Crispy Chicken Classic Sandwich	530	3.5	50	1150	28
McDonald's Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich	530	6	90	1470	40

To see the rest read more.

Chicken	Calories	Saturated Fat (g)	Cholesterol (mg)	Sodium (mg)	Protein (g)
McDonald's Crispy Chicken Club Sandwich	630	7	75	1420	36
McDonald's Grilled Chicken Ranch BLT Sandwich	470	3	80	1500	36
McDonald's Grilled Chicken Ranch BLT Sandwich	580	4.5	60	1460	32
McDonald's Southern Style Crispy Chicken Sandwich	400	3	45	1030	24
McDonald's Grilled Chicken Ranch Snack Wrap	270	4	45	830	18
McDonald's Grilled Chicken Honey Mustard Snack Wrap	260	3.5	45	800	18
BK Tendergrill Chicken Sandwich	490	4	55	1220	26
BK Tendercrisp Chicken Sandwich	430	8	70	1640	32
BK Spicy Chick'n Crisp Sandwich	630	5	30	810	12
BK Original Chicken Sandwich	630	7	65	1390	24
BK Chicken Tenders (6 pc)	270	3.5	35	730	14
BK Chicken Fries (6 pc)	250	2.5	30	820	14
Wendy's Crispy Chicken Deluxe	400	5	50	980	20
Wendy's Chicken Club	540	8	75	1360	34
Wendy's Ultimate Chicken Grill	320	1.5	70	950	28
Wendy's Spicy Chicken Sandwich	440	2.5	60	1300	28
Wendy's Chicken Nuggets (10 pc)	460	6	70	1040	24
Wendy's Grilled Chicken Go Wrap	260	3.5	45	760	17
Taco Bell Chicken Burrito Supreme	380	5	40	1370	20
Taco Bell Spicy Chicken Soft Taco	170	2	25	580	10
Taco Bell Chicken Fiesta Taco Salad	780	5	70	1830	37
Taco Bell Spicy Chicken Soft Taco	170	2	25	580	10
Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla	520	12	75	1420	28

I think my blood pressure just shot through the roof from seeing those sodium counts. Yikes. Some of these menu items have more than half the amount you should have in an entire day (2,300 mg). Feel free to enjoy these in a pinch, but I definitely wouldn't be chowing on a McChicken Sandwich every day.

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Food Review: Morningstar Farms Chicken Patties

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Although I'm not a full-fledged vegetarian, I do like to eat black-bean burgers, soy milk, and tempeh every once in a while because I like that they are cholesterol free. I never really go for meat alternatives that strive to look, taste, and feel like meat though, but since a good friend recommended Morningstar Farms Chik Patties, I reluctantly agreed to give them a try.

To see what I thought, just read more.

Serving Size	1 patty
Calories	170
Total Fat	5g
Saturated Fat	.5g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	480mg
Carbs	22g
Fiber	2g
Sugar	1g
Protein	10g

I've got to be honest. I wasn't expecting to like these one bit, but these vegetarian chik patties (made of a mix of soy and wheat gluten), were surprisingly good. I loved that the breaded outer layer was really crunchy and the inside was chewy and kind of shredded to make it look like real chicken (nice touch). The Italian herb seasonings were very flavorful and the overall texture was very much like a real chicken patty. As I was eating this as a sandwich, I was thinking about how good it would be in a chicken parm recipe.

Truthfully speaking, although I liked the way these tasted and the fact that each small patty contains 10g of protein, I probably wouldn't buy these again. Why? On the list of ingredients, it says "natural and artificial flavors from nonmeat sources." Um, gross. It also contains corn syrup and caramel color, which really surprised me. I guess it's a good reminder that you can't judge a food by its box - just because it's vegetarian doesn't mean it's healthy.

KFC Braves Another Grilled Chicken Giveaway

YumSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:50:23 -0700

Now that KFC's finally named a winner in its search for the right grilled chicken spokesperson, the chain is ready for yet another Kentucky Grilled Chicken giveaway. Declaring next Monday, Oct. 26 "UNFry Day," KFC will be handing out one free piece of grilled chicken to customers at more than 5,000 restaurants across the US.

The fast food company's last grilled chicken giveaway, which was backed by none other than Oprah Winfrey, caused quite a stir when KFC, faced with overwhelming demand, was forced to issue an apology and staggered rainchecks to customers who were turned away.

Considering what happened during the last giveaway, I'm not sure I'm ready to show up for this one. Did you have a bad experience with the last promotion? Would you be willing give KFC another try?

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Roasted Chicken Legs With Potatoes

partysugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:43 -0800

If roasting a whole chicken seems like too much work at the end of a long week, consider this recipe that combines chicken legs with potatoes and kale. It's the perfect one-pot meal.

All you have to do is toss everything into a roasting pan, throw it in the oven, and about an hour later, you'll have a flavorful dinner on the table.

Of course, chicken breasts can be substituted for the legs, but the dish may lose some of its rustic appeal. To get the uncomplicated and savory recipe, read more.

Roasted Chicken Legs With Potatoes
From Food & Wine

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds tender, young kale, stems and inner ribs removed
1 1/2 pounds medium Yukon Gold potatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
8 whole chicken legs (about 10 ounces each)
1 teaspoon paprika
Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450°. In a very large roasting pan, toss the kale, potatoes and onion with the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and spread in an even layer.
Set the chicken on a cutting board, skin side down. Slice halfway through the joint between the drumsticks and thighs. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with the paprika and set on top of the vegetables.
Cover the pan with foil. Roast the chicken in the upper third of the oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and roast for 30 minutes longer, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
Transfer the chicken to plates and spoon the vegetables alongside. Serve with lemon wedges.

Serves 8.

Print recipe with images | without images

Yummy Links: From Rachael Ray to Cupcake Wars

partysugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:30:33 -0700

To encourage kids to eat healthier, Rachael Ray is cooking her soft tacos for public schools in New York. - New York Daily News
Your local mixologist may be earning a lot more money than you think. - Grub Street NY
Why not make your own baby food at home?- The Epi-Log
American cheeses are gaining popularity in Europe. - Wall Street Journal
An inside look at the Food Network's new Cook or Be Cooked video game. - Eat Me Daily
El Pollo Loco responds to KFC's free chicken deal with their own free chicken promotion. - Eater
Learn how Heston Blumenthal cooks sous vide. - Serious Eats
Get a glimpse of San Francisco's recent Cupcake Wars. - Chow

KFC Closing Stores For a Good Cause

YumSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:00:36 -0700

Is KFC trying to make amends for the Double Down, its infamous sandwich made with chicken patties instead of bread? The chicken chain is taking a break from inventing indulgent new foods to fight hunger, starting next Tuesday. Over the next few weeks, KFC will temporarily close more than 15,000 locations during the lunch rush and convert them into "World Hunger Relief Kitchens."

The kitchens will serve free grilled chicken meals to needy families while also raising awareness with charitable food drives and car washes at the shuttered stores. Fighting hunger is a pet cause of parent company Yum Brands, which launched a World Hunger Relief fund in 2007. Though there is some irony to KFC giving away free grilled chicken while it's being sued for grilled chicken, I can definitely get behind this good cause.

What do you think about the store closings: publicity stunt or sincere do-gooding?

Let's Dish: What Foods Do You Eat When You're Sick?

YumSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:00:47 -0700

There's a nasty cold going around the Sugar office, which makes me want to whip up a big vat of chicken noodle soup. Though honestly, chicken soup isn't something I crave when I'm sick - unless I have a stomach flu, in which case, chicken broth is basically all I can eat.

Assuming you can keep food down and you're not nursing a hangover, what comforting foods do you use to defeat a cold or get over an illness?

Source: Flickr User Robert Couse-Baker

Up Next For Wendy's: Boneless Chicken Wings

YumSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:50:20 -0700

Hoping to boost this year's sales - and prove that it's still "waaaay better than fast food" - fast food chain Wendy's has announced plans to unveil a new menu item, boneless chicken wings, later this month. The boneless wings - which will compete head to head with KFC's new Kentucky Grilled Chicken - come in three different flavors: Sweet & Spicy Asian, Honey BBQ, and Bold Buffalo. "Our new Boneless Wings are as far as it gets from fast food," Ken Calwell, Wendy's chief marketing officer, said. "Sweet & Spicy Asian wings are something you'd find at an upscale restaurant."

The new item will set you back $3.99 for seven to nine wings (depending on weight), and will be available in a combo meal for $5.69. Since I'm a buffalo wing fiend, I'll definitely check these out - although I'm skeptical about the idea of them being "upscale restaurant" fare. Still, with McDonald's doing froufrou coffee drinks and Burger King barbecuing ribs, the fast food climate seems to be changing. Do fast food's newest items interest you?

Source

KFC Goes Grilled

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:30:00 -0700

As posting calorie counts becomes mandatory in more and more places, many fast food restaurants are trying to lure health-conscious customers back in an effort to boost slumping sales. Following its competitors that have been offering grilled fare for years, Kentucky Fried Chicken is now serving up buckets of grilled chicken, which is much healthier than its fried counterpart. The grilled chicken will cost the same as KFC's Original Recipe, but the caloric price is considerably lower.

To see how these two types of KFC chicken compare, read more.

Depending on the piece, the grilled chicken contains 70 to 180 calories, compared to 110 to 370 calories found in pieces of Original Recipe. The difference in fat and sodium content is even more striking. The grilled chicken, once again depending on the piece, contains four to nine grams of fat while the Original Recipe pieces contain seven to 21 grams of fat. The grilled chicken sodium tops off at 440 milligrams, while the fried version can contain up to 1,050 mg per piece. While I am not a fan of fast food, I recognize the need to occasionally eat on the run, and appreciate that KFC is offering healthier options. Many of the participating franchises will be offering a free piece for customers to try on April 27. Will you be trying it?