Skillet Meal, Three Cheese Chicken

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Skillet Meal, Three Cheese Chicken scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Food Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Industrial Enzymes (Seasoning [Romano Cheese (Part-Skim Cow'S Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Sugar, Dehydrated Garlic, Dehydrated Onion, Natural Flavor]): Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.
• Other Additives (Sodium Phosphates. Coated With Salt): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Within Frozen Dinners, this product is more processed than about 37% of the 5,358 products we've analyzed.

Processing classification reflects ingredient and additive analysis, not a judgment of any product's safety, quality, or healthfulness.

What These Ingredients Tell Us

We group Skillet Meal, Three Cheese Chicken's ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid. Three Cheese Sauce: Water.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Ferrous Sulfate (Iron), Sodium Citrate, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate. Seasoned Grilled Cooked Diced Chicken Breast With Rib Meat: Chicken Breast Meat With Rib Meat.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Lactic Acid, Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast Extract.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Baking Powder (Sodium Bicarbonate, Corn Starch, Sodium Aluminum Sulfate, Calcium Sulfate, Monocalcium Phosphate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Caramel Color.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.