KFC Australia Launches Plant-Based Wicked Popcorn Chicken - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine (2024)

FAQs

Does KFC have plant-based chicken in Australia? ›

KFC's move is the latest in a long succession of plant-based and vegan rollouts at fast food companies around the world and Australia. While the plant-based nuggets might be a first in the US, McDonald's in Norway was way ahead of the game, releasing meat-free McNuggets early last year.

Does KFC have vegan chicken? No, actually they do not have any plant-based chicken alternatives. However, KFC used to have vegan chicken – Beyond Nuggets – that is made by Beyond Meat and it was 100 % plant-based.

Developed in response to Canadian's evolving tastes and preferences for plant-based proteins, KFC's Plant-Based Fried Chicken is made in Canada by Lightlife®, a leading plant-based protein brand whose broad portfolio of products is available in retailers such as Metro, Loblaws, Sobeys, Longo's and Federated Coop.

While the new offering is made entirely from plant-based ingredients, KFC Australia cautions that the Wicked Popcorn is cooked in the same fryers as the conventional popcorn chicken, meaning many customers may consider it to be unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans.

The company decided to replace chicken with a plant-based meat-like product. One version is pea-protein mixed with soy, rice flour, carrot fiber, yeast extract, vegetable oil, salt, onion and garlic powder. Nuggets and boneless wings are offered.

The popular fast-food chain is bringing back its Beyond Fried Chicken to stores nationwide beginning January 10.

Our Quorn™ fillet is made from Mycoprotein, which is coated in KFC's 11 Herbs and Spices and fried in vegetable oil before it comes to our restaurants.

You can get a 6-piece Beyond nuggets for $7 or a 12-piece Beyond nuggets for $14, plus tax. (Price may vary by location.) You can choose which sauce, and you can order them as a combo meal and choose your side. But if you're planning to keep your meal plant-based, the fries may be the best option.

Some of KFC's biggest fans have blasted the iconic fast food chain after it admitted it was supplementing cabbage for lettuce in its burgers due to supply demands.

This is what KFC had to say, and the vegan fast food options available in their stores: Shaker Salad without chicken and dressing. KFC stores use canola oil to cook chips. KFC Chips – The salt mix on the seasoned chips and the actual chips do not contain any animal products.

What is plant-based Popcorn Chicken? ›

Like all of our products, Beyond Popcorn Chicken is made of simple, plant-based ingredients with no GMOs, 0 mg of cholesterol per serving, and no added antibiotics or hormones. The protein comes from wheat gluten and faba beans, a nutrient-packed legume crop.

Popcorn chicken is a dish consisting of small, bite-sized pieces of chicken (about the size of popped corn kernels) that have been breaded and fried.

At least 97% of our chicken-on-the-bone, fillets and strips are regularly delivered fresh (not frozen) into our restaurants from reputable Aussie chicken suppliers like Inghams, Steggles and Golden Farms.

KFC chicken in Australia is halal-certified by the ANIC, meaning that it is prepared according to Islamic guidelines for slaughter and preparation. However, not all KFC restaurants in Australia are halal-certified, so it's important to do your research and ensure that you are eating at a halal-certified location.

The major markets for KFC include China (10,000 stores), the United States (3,943 stores), Japan (1,140 stores), India (1,000 stores), South Africa (960 stores), the United Kingdom (928 stores), Thailand (853 stores), Malaysia (770 stores), Indonesia (742 stores), Australia (699 stores), and Canada (601 stores).