EV’s Take: Impossible Chicken Tenders Has Us Asking, “Where’s the “meat”?
I’ve recently become a die-hard Jack & Annie’s fan, and I especially love their chicken nuggets. When I reviewed Impossible’s Chicken Tenders, I realized I’d taken the balance of Jack & Annie’s Jack Nuggets for granted. Their nuggets strike the right ratio of “meat” to breading, making for a really satisfying experience. You get just enough crispy breading to make it taste good, and the generous jackfruit meat in each nugget pays off the crunchiness.
After trying Impossible’s Chicken Tenders, I immediately realized that the ratio was wrong. Do they taste bad? No, not really. What’s to hate about a crispy, seasoned breading? But the meat was so thin that it felt like much of each bite was just breading.
That said, the Impossible Chicken Tenders are fine. They’re crispy and well-seasoned, and the meat–although thin–is tender and has a good flavor. They’re easy to cook and make for a perfect snack or dinner with your favorite sides.
If you’re a fan of breading, these chicken tenders might be perfect for you. If you’re looking for a “meatier” chicken tender or chicken nugget, I’d recommend Jack & Annie’s Crispy Jack Nuggets.
Impossible Chicken Tenders Ingredients
Like many meatless chicken tenders, Impossible Chicken Tenders rely on soy as their protein source. Naturally, you’ll want to pass on these tenders if you have a soy allergy or intolerance.
Here’s what’s in each Impossible Chicken Tender:
Water, Soy Protein Concentrate, Wheat Flour, Sunflower Oil, 2% or Less of: Food Starch Modified, Soybean Oil, Potato Starch, Methylcellulose, Salt, Natural Flavors, Cultured Dextrose, Yeast Extract, Dextrose, Dried Onion, Dried Garlic, Wheat Gluten, Spices, Yellow Corn Flour, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Leavening (Cream of Tartar, Sodium Bicarbonate), Dried Yeast, Paprika Extract (for Color), Vitamin E (Tocopherols). Vitamins & Minerals: Zinc, Vitamins (B3, B5, B1, B6, B2, and B12).
Impossible Chicken Tenders Nutrition
| Serving Size | 2 pieces (85g) |
| Calories | 180 |
| Total Fat | 9g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.5g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 430mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 15g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Total Sugars | 1g |
| Protein | 11g |
Are Impossible Chicken Tenders Healthy?
“Healthiness” can be a little subjective, depending on your personal goals. Impossible Chicken Tenders are similar in nutrition compared to meat-based chicken tenders. They deliver similar calories, a little less fat, and similar amounts of sodium and protein. Where they differ is that meat-based chicken tenders will have a bit of cholesterol–about 13% of your daily intake, depending on the brand–in each serving, while Impossible does not.
The nutritional value is also on par with other vegan chicken tenders, like Beyond and Gardein, when accounting for the difference in serving sizes. A few small differences here and there, but nothing drastically different.
Overall, I would consider Impossible Chicken Tenders relatively healthy, considering their macros at face value.
How to Cook Impossible Chicken Tenders
You can bake, air fry, or microwave Impossible Chicken tenders following the instructions below.
- Air Fryer: Arrange 2 to 4 frozen tenders in an air fryer basket or try. Cook at 350ºF for 10 minutes.
- Conventional Oven: Preheat oven to 425ºF. Arrange frozen chicken tenders on a baking sheet in an even layer. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for about 18 minutes. I recommend flipping them once midway through for even browning.
- Microwave: Arrange frozen tenders on a microwave-safe plate. Cook 2 tenders on high for 1:30 to 2 minutes. Cook 4 tenders on high for 2:30 to 3 minutes.
How did EV eat Impossible Chicken Tenders?
Like all my snacky, crispy treats, I kept it simple with these. I ran out of ketchup, so I made a spicy vegan mayo to dip the tenders in. It worked well!
Where can I buy Impossible Chicken Tenders?
Impossible Chicken Tenders are available at many major retailers, like Walmart, Target, and Safeway. You can use the Impossible store locator to find a retailer near you.
What do you think?
Have you tried Impossible Chicken Tenders? After reading our review, will you be stocking your freezer with them? Let us know in the comments.
