KFC has you covered if you want to get some fried chicken without the actual chickens being involved. The world’s most famous chicken fast-food chain just announced that they are adding a plant-based fried chicken option to their menus across the United States.
The announcement comes several years after KFC first started exploring plant-based chicken options by teaming up with Beyond Meat, a company specializing in meat substitutes. The first version of the product was introduced in 2019 at several locations in Atlanta and was later tested in other cities like Nashville and Charlotte.
More than two years later, the two companies now feel comfortable enough about the project that they have decided to introduce plant-based fried chicken nationwide. The official launch will be on January 10th, and the item is expected to be around for a limited time although KFC didn’t reveal how long.
“This is really about where the customer is going; they want to eat more plant-based proteins,” said Kevin Hochman, U.S. president of KFC in a statement. “It’s January, so it’s a time of New Year’s resolutions and wanting to do something different in your diet.”
According to reports, KFC’s plant-based chicken, officially known as Beyond Fried Chicken, has soy, wheat, and pea proteins as its main ingredients. It is conceived to mimic the real chicken breasts, and according to reviews, it does it pretty well.
Still, you should note that Beyond Fried Chicken isn’t actually vegan and might not be even vegetarian as it is being fried in the same oil as the regular fried chicken, according to Women’s Health. However, it is still a more favorable option for those looking to cut meat and get on a healthier diet.
