Is Bell & evans, breaded chicken breast tenders Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the marketing claims and dive straight into the formulation. When analyzing Bell & Evans Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders, the safety of the product for a gluten-free diet comes down entirely to the coating applied to the chicken.

The primary ingredient flagged here is unbleached wheat flour. This is the first ingredient listed in the breading mixture. Wheat flour is the standard thickener and crisp-provider in traditional breading, but it is strictly prohibited on a gluten-free diet. Unlike some facilities that use dedicated gluten-free lines, Bell & Evans does not claim this product is free from wheat.

It is also important to note the presence of soybean oil used for flash frying. While pure soybean oil is generally considered safe for gluten-free diets because the gluten protein is removed during refining, the context matters. If the oil is shared for frying other breaded products, cross-contamination is a risk. However, the primary concern here is the wheat flour in the breading itself.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, these tenders are a mixed bag. They are made from chicken breast meat, which is an excellent source of lean protein. However, the breading and flash-frying process adds calories, fat, and sugar.

The inclusion of evaporated cane juice in the breading is notable. While it adds a hint of sweetness to balance the salt and spices, it adds simple sugars to the nutritional profile. If you are monitoring your sugar intake or managing insulin levels, this is an extra ingredient to be aware of. The product is flash-fried in soybean oil, which contributes to the total fat content. While the fat provides satiety, it also increases the caloric density compared to a plain grilled chicken breast.