KFC, the popular fried chicken chain drive-through, is considering the future of its products in regards to the demand for plant-based meat.

The fast-food chain has come through the pandemic practically unscathed, despite lockdowns and poultry shortages. Now, they are looking to the future and the growing demand for fake meat products. KFC has already tested the Beyond Meat chicken nuggets in certain locations, but have their sights set on something grander: realistic plant-based fried chicken.

When asked about whether or not the plant-based meat trend was going to last, the president of KFC in the U.S., Kevin Hochman said, “A lot of people think plant-based is about vegan or vegetarian. Over 90% of people who buy Beyond in the grocery store are also eating animal proteins. I eat plant-based hamburgers at home now because I think they’re as good as the regular burger.”

Hochman has been the driving factor behind KFC’s testing of plant-based options and he has made it clear that he believes plant-based meats are here to stay.

Hockman also went on to describe the plant-based chicken that they are hoping to make, saying, “What we’re trying to replicate is a tenderloin where you actually have the muscle fibers. The texture is a bit more pleasing than what we’d call a chewed-and-glued. It’s a different technology. Our plan is to try to replicate that Kentucky Fried Chicken as close as we can, obviously without using the animal. A lot of that is about how the chicken cuts and tears and the mouth feels. The gold standard is the chicken tenderloin or chicken strip.”

Make your own plant-based fried chicken at home:

• Vegan Fried Chicken Tenders
• Vegan Korean Glazed Fried Chicken Tenders
• Jackfruit Fried Chicken
• Fried ‘Chicken’

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home!

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
• Plant-Based Health Resources
• Plant-Based Food & Recipes
• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
• Plant-Based Meal Prep

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!