Southwestern Style Chicken

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Southwestern Style Chicken scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Cornstarch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Corn-Based Sweeteners (High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Chemical Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate And Sodium Benzoate Added As Preservatives): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Whey Protein Concentrate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol Alginate): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

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 Southwestern Style 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.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Philly Style Chicken: Chicken Breast With Rib Meat (Contains Up To 22% Of A Solution Of: Water, Potassium Lactate, Dextrose, Seasoning (Salt, Dehydrated Chicken Broth (Maltodextrin, Natural Flavor), Sugar, Dehydrated Onion And Garlic), Sodium Phosphate). Corn & Black Bean Blend: Corn, Calcium Disodium Edta Added To Protect Flavor.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Red Bell Peppers. Contains 2% Or Less Of: Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Sriracha Garlic Sauce: Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Hot Chili Sauce (Red Chili, Distilled Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Garlic, Acetic Acid, Lactic Acid, Red Chili Powder, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate And Sodium Bisulfite Added As Preservatives), Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Lactic Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.