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Gardein Ultimate Chick'n Tenders
Frozen Foods
📊 NOVA 4🥛 Dairy-Free

Gardein Ultimate Chick'n Tenders

Gardein
15 oz
Available at Foodtown
230
Calories
15g
Protein
1g
Sugars
630mg
Sodium
1g
Fiber
78
Ingredients

What You Should Know

Gardein Ultimate Chick'n Tenders are a frozen, breaded plant-based alternative sold in the frozen vegetarian/vegan section, often shelved alongside other meatless proteins, frozen burgers, and near conventional frozen chicken strips to capture crossover shoppers. Packaged in a 15 oz sealed bag inside a box with bright, appetizing photography, the product leans into convenience and familiarity. Shoppers reach for it on busy weeknights, game-day spreads, back-to-school grocery runs, or anytime they want a quick, shareable finger food. The brand positions itself as a modern, family-friendly plant-based option: non-GMO and made from familiar pantry names like wheat and pea protein, with marketing that targets flexitarians, families with kids, and consumers seeking nostalgic comfort foods without animal meat. Labeling emphasizes non-GMO and plant-based attributes rather than organic certification; the carton typically lacks organic seals and instead uses appetizing imagery and simple callouts like plant-based or meatless. Packaging and language create a health halo of wholesome protein and familiar ingredients while still being clearly a processed convenience product. In plain terms, these tenders are produced using multiple industrial steps and additives to recreate chicken-like texture and crispness. Sensory notes: heated in an oven or air fryer, the tenders deliver a crunchy, golden exterior and a tender, springy interior that mimics pulled chicken, with savory, seasoned notes and a slight yeast/garlic umami. Rituals include dunking into BBQ, honey mustard, or buffalo sauce, tucking into wraps, or pairing with fries for a quick, crowd-pleasing meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 2 pieces
Servings per Container: 4
Calories230
% Daily Value*
Total Fat10g13%
Saturated Fat1g5%
Sodium630mg27%
Total Carbohydrate19g7%
Dietary Fiber1g4%
Total Sugars1g
Protein15g
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Ingredients

Water,, Enriched, Wheat, Flour, (Wheat, Flour,, Niacin,, Reduced, Iron,, Thiamine, Mononitrate,, Riboflavin,, Folic, Acid),, Vital, Wheat, Gluten,, Canola, Oil,, Soy, Protein, Isolate,, Pea, Protein, Concentrate,, Tapioca, Starch,, 2%, or, Less, of:, Degerminated, Yellow, Corn, Flour,, Textured, Wheat, Protein, (Wheat, Gluten,, Wheat, Starch),, Methylcellulose,, Salt,, Yeast, Extract,, Natural, Flavors,, Garlic, Powder,, Spices,, Dried, Onion,, Fructose,, Leavening, (Sodium, Acid, Pyrophosphate,, Sodium, Bicarbonate),, Paprika, Extractives, (Color),, Pea, Protein,, Onion, Powder,, Citric, Acid,, Titanium, Dioxide, (Color),, Xanthan, Gum,, Lactic, Acid,, Sunflower, Oil..

Flagged Ingredients:

  • Canola Oil - Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids
  • Sunflower Oil - Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids
  • Soy Lecithin - Processed emulsifier
  • Titanium Dioxide - Artificial coloring
  • Paprika Extractives - Artificial coloring
No Seed OilNo EmulsifierNo Additive

Dietary Labels

This product is not vegan, is not gluten-free, and is not organic.

Ultra-Processing Assessment

NOVA Score:4 / 4

Ultra-Processed

Why this score?

Contains industrial formulations and multiple processed ingredients such as isolated soy and pea proteins, methylcellulose, xanthan gum, titanium dioxide, natural flavors, and other additives, indicating ultra-processed food status.

Daily Ritual

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Common Questions about Gardein Ultimate Chick'n Tenders

That's a bit of a loaded question! These tenders pack a decent protein punch with 15 grams per serving, which is great for a quick meal. However, they do contain 630 mg of sodium, so if you're watching your salt intake, you might want to enjoy them in moderation.

Perfect For

game-day-prep
back-to-school
meal-prep-sunday

Vibe:

convenientcomfortingindulgent
$NaN
per package