Archive
Mar 4, 2010

Review: KFC - Boneless Filet

A new item on KFC's menu, the new Boneless Filet is a boneless chicken breast and comes in Grilled or Original Recipe (update: looks like they are delaying the Grilled version for a later date... well, unless the Boneless Filet does badly anyway).  It's served in a french-fry-holder-like sleeve so can keep your hands clean and is currently available in the new Boneless Filet Box for $5 but not individually (update: they are available at most locations individually at a suggested price of $1.99. I checked with another local KFC and they are selling it for $2.39.).

You can also get a two-Boneless Filets Box for $6.99 which is what I ended up getting.  The box also comes with your choice of side, a biscuit, and a 22-ounce drink.  While two apple pies isn't actually a side, I was able to sub it instead of a side.

Here's the thing: A boneless filet is just any chicken filet sandwich without the sandwich part.  Although a chicken breast filet sandwich will generally run you at least $3 or more whereas a KFC Boneless Filet is ~$1.99.
The Grilled Boneless Filet had that herby Original flavor but was bland otherwise.  The biscuit was actually saltier.  A little more salt and pepper would have gone a long way.  While eating it, there's also the nagging feeling that you could achieve the same results throwing a boneless chicken breast and grilling seasoning into a George Foreman.  While I wouldn't say it was juicy, it did have some moisture to it and wasn't dry.
My choice out of the two would have to be the Original Recipe Boneless Filet.  It's the flavor of the Colonel's Original Recipe Fried Chicken without the bones.  This makes it very convenient when you either: (a) don't want to get your hands all greasy or (b) are feeling too lazy to deal with bones.  However, it can be a bit dry where the chicken breast is thinner.  I'd rather have a cheaper and juicier albeit messier Original Recipe drumstick though.

The Boneless Filets are available in Canada too.  Spelled "fillet" though.  Somehow theirs looks fancier than ours. I think it's the fact that Canada's is on a place with a fork, knife and possibly a cloth napkin.  They can also purchase their Boneless Fillets a la carte or as part of a family meal.  Thanks for shafting us KFC!

Anyway, at $5 or $6.99, it's not a very good value considering you can get six pieces of legs and thighs for $5 under KFC's current promotion.

KFC Restaurant Locator

Nutritional Info (Grilled - 102g)
Calories - 130 (from Fat - 20)
Fat - 2g (Saturated Fat - 1g)
Sodium - 390mg
Carbs - 0g (Sugar - 0g)
Protein - 27g

Nutritional Info (Original Recipe - 96g)
Calories - 170 (from Fat - 60)
Fat - 7g (Saturated Fat - 1.5g)
Sodium - 360mg
Carbs - 4g (Sugar - 0g)
Protein - 23g

14 comments:

  1. Two days ago I had my first KFC grilled chicken filet and I was just blown away by the taste so much so that I bought ten $2 orders= ($21 with tax) to take home and eat with my salad to last me the rest of the week.

    IT WAS THAT GOOD!

    It tasted better than the $15 fancy gourmet chicken entrée I had at my trendy local bistro.

    I've stayed away from KFC most of my life because of health concerns over their original recipe's fried chicken which by the way doesn't have the same gorgeous flavor it had when I first tried it back in 1968.

    Today's original recipe no longer has that subtle hint of clove and nutmeg that I remember back then as an 9 year old first opening that bucket. It had such an impact on me I still remember it to this day.

    KFC's grilled chicken filet has impacted me the same way that I had to post a comment which is rare for especially with fast food.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like I'll give this one a pass. The Original Recipe Boneless Filet seems like a larger Original Recipe Strip which I'm not really a fan of. I just wish they brought the Extra Crispy Strip back to the SoCal area because I definitely would've been down with an Extra Crispy Boneless Filet. Thick crunchy breading is what I love about fried chicken.

    ReplyDelete
  3. @Tim: Wow! I can see how the grilled boneless chicken filet might draw in the more health-conscious crowd. It definitely has less sodium then the regular KFC fare while still preserving KFC-style spices. It's not for me but I can see how you like it.

    Also, they sold it to you individually?! Gah! Maybe it's just my local KFC that only sells it by the box...

    @Anon: Mmmmmm... extra crispy... I agree! I also liked the Extra Crispy Strips better!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I just call it the "Just a big freakin hunk o' chicken."
    Would definitely look more appetizing on a stick. How are you supposed to dip that sucker? Or do you just take a bite and then take a glurp of honey mustard or barbecue sauce Go-gurt style straight into your mouth?

    ReplyDelete
  5. As far as I can tell, the Grilled Filet has been discontinued. They told me at my local KFC (upstate NY) that "there were problems with it and so it has been taken off the menu"
    And the TV ads KFC was running last week showing their new Grilled and Original Recipe Filet are off the air, replaced with one that only shows the Original Recipe filet. I would love to know the story behind this, but I can't find any further information anywhere on the net.

    ReplyDelete
  6. @Anon1: I don't think they mean for you to dip it at all. They didn't offer me any sauce when I bought it. I guess you could get a plate from them and just pour the sauce on it.

    @Anon2: I just checked with my local KFC and it seems like it as well. It looks like they're going to delay the rollout of the grilled version until later.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Q - That's pretty typical to not be offered sauce, especially in the drive-thru. Napkins and ketchup also are regularly omitted.

    ReplyDelete
  8. @Anon: Yeah, sadly enough... but sometimes they offer...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous said...

    As far as I can tell, the Grilled Filet has been discontinued. They told me at my local KFC (upstate NY) that "there were problems with it and so it has been taken off the menu"


    They are having problems with employees and their ability to prepare meat, this piece of chicken is nothing special and you should be advised, reading the reviews here could mean reading reviews from company reps.

    Its KFC, the original post is spot on.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Tried the grilled filet yesterday (Chicago Suburbs)...it didn't look anything like the picture - it was very thin, dark in color (spices?) & came in a sandwich box with wax paper - not in the 'fry' holder thing. It had a very good taste, but it was quite thin & not worth the $2.29 plus tax. I don't eat at KFC usually, but I was in a hurry and looking for something quick & healthy.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I had two grilled filets (Minneapolis suburbs) for $1.99 apiece. Came in the 'fry holder' box, was moist, was spiced well. Perfect for what I was looking for -- quick and easy lean protein without carbs or fat while out of the house. I hope they don't discontinue it, since it is very convenient for me.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I often buy Jack in the Box's grilled chicken strips, which I love. Ever since KFC debuted its grilled chicken, I've been waiting for them to offer white meat without skin or bones, and when they recently started promoting the stacker I noticed that you could get it with grilled chicken instead of breaded, and knew that they at least had the kind of chicken I wanted on the premises. I went to the nutrition info page on the site and found the grilled fillet listed, so I called to make sure they offered it individually and that same night I went to try it. It was $1.99 here in Abilene, Texas, and I got several. The verdict: They're not as good as Jack in the Box's grilled chicken strips, which I think are awesome and delicious and might eat every day if I could. The grilled fillet wasn't bad, and I wouldn't mind getting it now and then for some variety, but the only KFC here is way out on the other side of town, and they weren't so good that I'd be willing to go there very often just to get them.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think most people are missing the point of this menu item (especially the one who complains about no dipping sauce being included/offered). I've always avoided KFC's and other chicken sandwiches because of all the carbs they include. THIS is the perfect answer to wanting to have that juicy, succulent taste of KFC without the carbs. This and a Diet cola . . . and I'm good for the afternoon. Relatively healthy especially when you look at the calorie/carb count for KFC's "salads". I've gotten this item 2-3 times a week, and it has always been very hot and very tasty.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I tried the dark meat boneless chicken a few days ago and was totally dissatisfied with the taste and texture of the meat. The must have used meat-glue to form the pieces. I could tell this by pulling the pieces apart and how the divided piece were like a jig-saw puzzle pressed together.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting. If it helps any, you don't need to type a URL to leave a name.