KFC's New Sandwich Replaces Bun With Chicken

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KFC's New Sandwich Replaces Bun With Chicken
'Double Down' Launches On Monday
Michael Hill, Associated Press Writer

Posted: Friday, April 9, 2010
Updated: 2:46 pm CDT April 9, 2010

First came boneless wings. Now KFC wants you to chow down on a sandwich that uses (what else?) chicken for the bun. The KFC Double Down, which launches Monday, is essentially a sandwich with two chicken filets taking the place of bread slices. In between are two pieces of bacon, melted slices of Monterey Jack and Pepper Jack cheese and a zesty sauce.

How much will it cost? About $5 and 540 calories (460 for the grilled version), putting it on caloric par with fast-food standards like the McDonald's Big Mac or a large order of french fries at Burger King. But calories aren't everything. Nutritionists caution that consumers also should pay attention to the sandwich's salt and fat.

The Double Down has 1,380 milligrams of sodium (1,430 milligrams grilled). That's close to the American Heart Association's recommendation that adults eat less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day. "This is not a healthy choice," said Walter Willett, chairman of the nutrition department at the Harvard School of Public Health.

While Willett said eliminating the white bread is a good thing to do, "what really sets this product apart is the incredible amount of sodium in one sandwich." Elisa Zied, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, said the 32 grams of fat is about half the total fat most Americans should be getting in an entire day. She also was concerned about the saturated fat content.

KFC's timing with the Double Down -- which will be available through mid-May -- may seem odd when many fast-food restaurants are promoting healthier menu items to please an increasingly health conscious public. KFC's parent company, Yum Brands Inc., has committed to placing calorie counts on menu boards at corporate-owned restaurants nationwide by Jan. 1, 2011. A recently passed federal law eventually will require all chain restaurants to do so.

But the company said the chicken-as-bun concept tested so well in selected markets last year they decided to introduce it nationwide for a limited time. KFC spokesman Rick Maynard noted that "more indulgent" sandwiches like the Double Down share menu space with lower-calorie options. "That's one of the things that make our restaurants popular," he said. "We have something for everyone."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[OH Nuts!]

Sounds yummy...BUT..all those calories, sodium and cholesterol...!

[catlover79]

Now I've heard it all.

[ZeldaGilroy]

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

Sounds yummy...BUT..all those calories, sodium and cholesterol...!

Exactly! I would never eat it because of the fat, calories, sodium, cholesterol, etc. BUT it does sound like it would taste pretty darn good. I'm not willing to die of a heart attack for it though, so I will not be trying it. In fact, I don't eat anything from KFC anymore because their food has dangerous levels of sodium.

[Retro4Life]

I don't think eating this monstrosity once or twice a year is likely to give anyone a heart attack. The problem is that the taste is likely quite addicting and many people will be chowing down on it regularly (if they can afford it, I suppose).

It's like everything else; moderation is the key. Staying up all night once isn't going to kill you but if you do it all the time it might, a drink or two on the weekend isn't catastrophic but slamming them down left and right is, etc.

[MickeyMac]

This does sound tasty, but its not something I am going to eat everyday.

[angiefan]

I'd rather have a sandwich with bacon,chedder and bun,not without bun,what is KFC doing? trying to save the wheat supply?

[Marvo301]

Thank goodness I don't have to eat that fattening bun anymore!!

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by angiefan

I'd rather have a sandwich with bacon,chedder and bun,not without bun,what is KFC doing? trying to save the wheat supply?

[ZeldaGilroy]

I saw a commerical for this tonight. It doesn't look very appetizing. I thought it sounded good, but it looks kind of gross. If food doesn't even look good in the commercial, it is bound to be awful up close.

[blink]

I recently stopped at KFC one evening on my way to work and bought a two piece dinner for six dollars. When I opened the box later, I found that it contained a biscuit, a small container of baked beans and a leg and thigh that looked like they came from an anorexic midget chicken.
Needless to say, I was very hungry by the end of my twelve hour shift.

[TJL]

It sounds really good.

Actually Craig Ferguson joked about the Double Down on his show last night.

I would love to try one, but I'm trying to eat healthy, and the guilt I would feel after wolfing one down would be worse than the calories.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by FactsFan

I saw a commerical for this tonight. It doesn't look very appetizing. I thought it sounded good, but it looks kind of gross. If food doesn't even look good in the commercial, it is bound to be awful up close.

I have personally found that to be true.

[sara]

I really want to try it. I think it sound a little weird, but good. It looks like it would be really messy though.