Chicken dinner, NFS, frozen meal
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A convenient, pre-portioned frozen meal featuring chicken as the primary protein, typically in a savory sauce with accompanying vegetables or starches. The texture is often soft and moist, with a mild, savory flavor profile designed for quick reheating. At just 124 kcal per 100g, it's a relatively light option with a moderate protein content of 8.48g per 100g.
Calorie split: 27% protein · 35% carbs · 38% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its convenience and the comforting, familiar flavors of a home-cooked chicken dinner without the preparation time. It's a versatile staple that can be quickly customized with extra spices or sides.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is often high sodium content, which can be concerning for those monitoring blood pressure. To counteract this, pair it with a side of fresh, low-sodium vegetables like steamed broccoli or a simple salad, and be mindful of portion sizes to avoid overconsumption.
Key benefits
- Quick and convenient meal option
- Moderate protein content for muscle maintenance
- Low in calories per 100g
- Pre-portioned for easy calorie control
- Long shelf life for pantry storage
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The first commercially successful frozen TV dinner, introduced by Swanson in 1954, was actually a turkey dinner, but chicken versions quickly became a staple of the frozen food aisle.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 74.2 g |
| Energy | 124 kcal |
| Protein | 8.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 5.2 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 10.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.90 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.6 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 55.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.77 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 19.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 114 mg |
| Potassium, K | 165 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 379 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.77 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 14.2 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 15.7 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.13 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.15 mg |
| Niacin | 2.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.11 mg |
| Folate, total | 41.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 24.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 17.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 58.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 28.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.16 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 31.0 ug |
| Retinol | 29.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 22.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 154 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.29 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 20.7 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.24 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.1 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.35 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.5 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.15 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.4 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.73 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.67 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.05 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 39.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Babyfood, dinner, chicken stew, toddler — USDA does not publish this profile for Chicken dinner.
| Tryptophan | 0.06 g |
| Threonine | 0.22 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.26 g |
| Leucine | 0.41 g |
| Lysine | 0.41 g |
| Methionine | 0.11 g |
| Cystine | 0.05 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.21 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.17 g |
| Valine | 0.29 g |
| Arginine | 0.33 g |
| Histidine | 0.13 g |
| Alanine | 0.30 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.47 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.90 g |
| Glycine | 0.29 g |
| Proline | 0.35 g |
| Serine | 0.21 g |
FAQ
How does the protein content compare to a fresh chicken breast?
This frozen meal has about 8.48g of protein per 100g, which is lower than a raw chicken breast (around 31g per 100g). The difference is due to the inclusion of other ingredients like sauces, vegetables, and starches in the meal.
Is this meal suitable for a low-carb diet?
With 10.73g of carbs per 100g, it's not ideal for strict low-carb diets. However, it can fit into a moderate carb intake plan, especially if paired with low-carb vegetables.
What's the best way to reheat it for optimal texture?
For best results, reheat in the microwave with a damp paper towel over the dish to retain moisture, or in a conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes to avoid sogginess.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.24 kcal/g · 27% calories from protein · 0.9 g fiber · 1.6 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.30 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.