Bourbon Chicken is a popular dish that blends Cajun and Chinese-American culinary influences. Often associated with Bourbon Street in New Orleans, this dish features bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a savory-sweet glaze. While it's known for its appealing flavor, understanding its nutritional content is essential for health-conscious consumers.
What is Bourbon Chicken?
Bourbon Chicken typically consists of tender chicken pieces, either pan-fried or grilled, and then covered in a rich glaze. The glaze commonly includes ingredients like soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and sometimes bourbon whiskey to enhance the flavor profile. This sauce caramelizes during cooking, giving the dish its characteristic sticky texture.
Nutritional Information for Foster Farms Bourbon Chicken
According to Foster Poultry Farms, Bourbon Chicken contains 170 calories per 84g serving (3 oz). However, nutritional values can vary based on preparation methods and specific recipes. Let's delve deeper into the nutritional components of a 3 oz serving of Foster Farms Bourbon Chicken:
Macronutrient Breakdown:
- Calories: 190
- Fat: 7g (9% Daily Value)
- Saturated Fat: 2g (8% DV)
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: Data unavailable in provided text.
- Sodium: 810mg (35% DV)
- Carbohydrates: 17g (6% DV)
- Net Carbs: 17g
- Fiber: 0g (0% DV)
- Sugar: 5g
- Protein: 16g
Vitamins and Minerals:
- Calcium: 60mg (6% DV)
- Iron: 1mg (9% DV)
- Vitamin C: 0mg (0% DV)
Additional Nutritional Details:
- Sugar Breakdown: The 5g of sugar includes sucrose, glucose, fructose, lactose, maltose and galactose.
- Fats: Includes saturated fats (2g), monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. Trans fats are listed as 0g.
- Fatty Acids: Includes total omega 3, total omega 6, Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA), Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), Docosapentaenoic Acid (DPA).
- Amino Acids: Includes Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic acid, Cystine, Glutamic acid, Glycine, Histidine, Hydroxyproline, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Tyrosine and Valine
Key Nutritional Considerations
Calorie Content
A 3 oz serving of Foster Farms Bourbon Chicken contains 190 calories. This amount can easily increase depending on portion size and additional sides served with the dish.
Fat Content
Each serving contains 7g of fat, which includes 2g of saturated fat. It's important to be mindful of saturated fat intake as part of a balanced diet. The product also contains 0g of trans fats, which is nutritionally favorable.
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Sodium Levels
Bourbon Chicken has a high sodium content, with 810mg per serving, constituting 35% of the Daily Value. Individuals monitoring their sodium intake, such as those with hypertension, should be cautious.
Carbohydrates and Sugars
The dish contains 17g of carbohydrates, including 5g of sugar. The sugar content primarily comes from the glaze, which often includes brown sugar and other sweeteners.
Protein Content
Bourbon Chicken is a good source of protein, providing 16g per serving, which is 29% of the Daily Value. Protein is essential for muscle repair, growth, and overall body function.
Vitamins and Minerals
The dish provides small amounts of calcium (6% DV) and iron (9% DV). However, it is not a significant source of Vitamin C (0% DV).
Ingredients
The ingredients in Bourbon Chicken, specifically Foster Poultry Farms' version, include:
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- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breast with rib meat.
- Breading: Wheat flour, water, cracker meal (wheat flour, soybean oil), salt, food starch, natural flavors, spices, dried whey, leavening agents (cream of tartar, sodium bicarbonate), torula yeast, extractives of paprika, and spice extractives, set in vegetable oil.
- Glaze: Water, soy sauce (water, wheat, soybeans, salt), brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, pineapple juice powder, vinegar, modified corn starch, less than 2% of bourbon whiskey, caramel color, onion powder, spices, garlic powder, xanthan gum, sodium lactate, lactic acid, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, sucralose, natural flavors, and soy lecithin.
Health Considerations
Sugar and Sodium
One of the main health concerns with Bourbon Chicken is its high sugar and sodium content, primarily due to the glaze. High sugar intake can contribute to weight gain and other health issues, while excessive sodium can lead to high blood pressure.
Portion Control
Due to its calorie, sugar, and sodium content, portion control is important when consuming Bourbon Chicken. A moderate serving size can help balance the enjoyment of the dish with health considerations.
Preparation Methods
The nutritional profile of Bourbon Chicken can vary significantly based on the preparation method. For example, baking the chicken instead of frying can reduce the fat content. Similarly, using a reduced-sugar or homemade sauce can lower the sugar levels.
Comparison to Other Chicken Products by Foster Farms
Foster Poultry Farms offers a variety of chicken products. Here are a few examples for comparison:
- Ready-to-season raw chicken breast pieces
- Chicken breast fillets with rib meat
- Fajita raw chicken breast strips
Compared to these products, Bourbon Chicken has the added components of breading and a sweet glaze, which contribute to its higher calorie, carbohydrate, and sugar content.
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Tips for a Healthier Bourbon Chicken
- Bake instead of fry: Baking the chicken can significantly reduce the fat content.
- Use a homemade glaze: Creating your own glaze allows you to control the amount of sugar and sodium. Consider using natural sweeteners like honey or stevia in moderation.
- Increase vegetable content: Serve Bourbon Chicken with a generous portion of vegetables to balance the meal and add essential nutrients.
- Choose lean chicken: Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breast to minimize fat intake.
- Watch portion sizes: Be mindful of the serving size to manage calorie, sugar, and sodium intake.
Potential Allergens
Bourbon Chicken contains several potential allergens, including:
- Wheat: Present in the breading and soy sauce.
- Soy: Found in soy sauce and soy lecithin.
- Dairy: Dried whey is an ingredient.
Individuals with allergies to these ingredients should exercise caution and carefully review the ingredient list before consuming Bourbon Chicken.
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