Does Cilantro Lime Chicken contain dairy or gluten?

Based on the ingredients list provided, Cilantro Lime Chicken does not contain dairy (milk) or gluten (wheat). It is free from these specific allergens, but it is not free from meat.

Is Cilantro Lime Chicken good for weight loss?

It can be part of a weight loss plan due to its high protein content, which promotes satiety. However, you must account for the calories from the oils and the sodium content.

Where can I buy Cilantro Lime Chicken?

Products labeled 'Cilantro Lime Chicken' are widely available at major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Costco, as well as online through Amazon.

Is Cilantro Lime Chicken safe for kids?

Yes, it is generally safe for children. The jalapeno adds mild heat, but it is not overpowering. It does not contain caffeine or major allergens like nuts.

Is Cilantro Lime Chicken Vegan?

No, Cilantro Lime Chicken is not vegan. This dish is fundamentally centered around animal protein, specifically chicken breast, making it incompatible with a plant-based diet. While the zesty cilantro lime sauce sounds vegetable-forward, the base ingredient disqualifies it immediately.

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look at the composition of a product to determine its classification. When we analyze the ingredients list for Cilantro Lime Chicken, the verdict is clear-cut. The primary component is boneless skinless chicken breast, which is unequivocally an animal product. This is reinforced by the inclusion of chicken broth and water used to process the meat, adding moisture and flavor but also ensuring the product remains non-vegan.

Even if we were to set the meat aside, the marinade and processing aids present hurdles. The yeast extract is a flavor enhancer often derived from brewing byproducts, and while it is technically a microorganism, in the context of a meat product, it serves to boost the savory profile of the animal protein. Furthermore, the cultured dextrose is a bacteria culture used as a preservative, typically grown on sugar media, which is standard in processed foods but irrelevant to the vegan status when the main ingredient is chicken.

The sauce itself, a mix of roasted poblano chilies, cilantro, and oils, contains sunflower lecithin. Lecithin is a common emulsifier; while sunflower lecithin is plant-derived and vegan-friendly, its presence here is to stabilize the high oleic sunflower oil and water in the sauce. The dealbreaker remains the chicken and chicken broth. There is no plant-based substitute used in this formulation.

🚫 Culprit Ingredients:

chicken

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Cilantro Lime Chicken is a high-protein, moderate-fat option. The chicken breast provides lean protein essential for muscle repair and growth. However, because this is a processed and marinated product, we must look at the added sodium and sugars. The presence of lime juice concentrate and monk fruit extract adds sweetness and acidity without relying heavily on refined sugar, which is a plus for those monitoring glycemic intake.

The fat content is derived largely from the high oleic sunflower oil and olive oil in the sauce. These are generally considered heart-healthy unsaturated fats. However, the sodium levels are likely elevated due to the sea salt, vinegar, and flavorings. For individuals on a low-sodium diet, this could be a concern. It fits well into a high-protein diet, but strictly from a caloric perspective, it is a dense food source.