Hey there fellow food enthusiasts! Today, I’m super excited to dive deep into one of my favorite convenient frozen meals – the Birds Eye Voila Garlic Chicken Meal. If you’re anything like me you’re probably always on the lookout for quick, tasty dinner options that won’t completely wreck your diet. Well, look no further because we’re about to explore everything you need to know about this popular frozen dinner option!
What Exactly is Birds Eye Voila Garlic Chicken Meal?
Before we jump into the calorie count and nutritional breakdown, let’s talk about what this meal actually is. Birds Eye Voila Garlic Chicken is a complete frozen skillet meal that combines tender chicken pieces, pasta, and a variety of vegetables in a savory garlic sauce. It’s designed to be a family-size meal that you can quickly prepare on busy weeknights when cooking from scratch just isn’t in the cards.
The meal comes frozen and is typically prepared in a skillet on your stovetop in about 10-15 minutes. It’s one of those “dump and cook” solutions that can be a real lifesaver when time is tight but you still want something more substantial than takeout.
Calories in Birds Eye Voila Garlic Chicken – The Breakdown
Now, let’s get to the main question – how many calories are in this frozen meal? According to CalorieKing, a single serving (about 1 cup cooked or 3.8 oz frozen) of Birds Eye Voila Garlic Chicken contains 144 calories.
But wait – there’s an important detail to note here! The package typically contains multiple servings, so if you’re eating more than 1 cup, you’ll need to adjust your calorie calculations accordingly. In fact, 1-2/3 cups of the frozen product makes approximately 1 cup cooked.
Complete Nutritional Profile
Let’s break down the full nutritional information per serving (1 cup cooked/3.8 oz frozen)
- Calories: 144 calories (603 kJ)
- Total Fat: 4.8g (7% DV)
- Saturated Fat: 2.1g (11% DV)
- Trans Fat: 0.6g
- Cholesterol: 12mg (4% DV)
- Sodium: 367mg (15% DV)
- Total Carbohydrates: 17.4g (6% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 1.8g (7% DV)
- Sugars: 3.6g
- Protein: 6.6g
- Calcium: 36mg
- Iron: <1mg
- Vitamin A: 601mg
- Vitamin C: 9mg
As you can see, this meal provides a decent balance of macronutrients with a moderate amount of protein carbs and fat. It’s not super high in any one macronutrient, which makes it a pretty balanced option for a quick meal.
Is Birds Eye Voila Garlic Chicken Healthy?
Ok, so here’s where I’m gonna give you my honest opinion. While this frozen meal is certainly convenient, it’s important to consider a few factors when determining if it’s “healthy” for your personal needs.
The Good Stuff
- Portion Control: With clearly defined serving sizes, it can help with portion control if you stick to the recommended amount.
- Contains Vegetables: Unlike some frozen meals that skimp on veggies, this one does include vegetables, which is a plus!
- Moderate Calories: At 144 calories per serving, it’s not excessively high in calories.
- Decent Protein: With 6.6g of protein per serving, it provides some of this important macronutrient.
The Not-So-Great Stuff
- Sodium Content: At 367mg per serving (15% of your daily value), the sodium is something to be mindful of, especially if you’re watching your salt intake.
- Trans Fat: Contains 0.6g of trans fat, which nutrition experts generally recommend limiting as much as possible.
- Relatively Low Fiber: With only 1.8g of fiber per serving, it’s not the most filling option by itself.
How This Fits Into Your Diet
We all have different dietary needs and goals, so let’s talk about how this meal might fit into various eating patterns:
For Weight Management
If you’re watching your weight, the moderate calorie count can be helpful. Here’s a cool fact from the CalorieKing data – to burn off the 144 calories in a single serving of this meal, you would need to do one of the following:
- Swimming for 12 minutes
- Jogging for 17 minutes
- Cycling for 22 minutes
- Walking for 40 minutes
These estimates are based on a 35-year-old female who is 5’7″ tall and weighs 144 lbs, so your actual numbers might vary.
For Balanced Nutrition
While this meal provides some nutrients, I’d personally recommend pairing it with additional vegetables or a side salad to boost the overall nutritional value of your meal. This would increase the fiber content and help make the meal more filling.
How to Prepare Birds Eye Voila Garlic Chicken for Best Results
From my personal experience, here are some tips to make this frozen meal even better:
- Don’t Overcook It: Follow the package instructions, but keep an eye on it. Overcooked pasta gets mushy!
- Add Fresh Herbs: Throw in some fresh basil or parsley at the end for a flavor boost.
- Extra Garlic: If you’re a garlic lover like me, feel free to add a little extra minced garlic for more punch.
- Boost the Protein: Add some additional grilled chicken or even a can of white beans to increase the protein content.
- More Veggies: Toss in some extra frozen or fresh vegetables to increase the volume and nutrition.
Cost-Effectiveness of Birds Eye Voila Garlic Chicken
Another thing to consider when evaluating any convenience food is the cost-effectiveness. The Birds Eye Voila family-size meals typically cost between $7-$10 depending on where you shop and if there are any sales or promotions.
Given that a family-size package contains multiple servings (usually around 3-4), the cost per serving is relatively reasonable compared to takeout or restaurant meals. However, it is more expensive than preparing a similar meal from scratch with basic ingredients.
Comparing to Other Frozen Meals
Let’s see how Birds Eye Voila Garlic Chicken stacks up against some other popular frozen meal options:
| Frozen Meal | Calories per Serving | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birds Eye Voila Garlic Chicken | 144 | 6.6g | 367mg |
| Typical Frozen Pizza (1 slice) | 300-400 | 12-15g | 600-800mg |
| Average Frozen Burrito | 350-450 | 10-15g | 600-900mg |
| Frozen Lasagna | 320-400 | 15-20g | 700-900mg |
As you can see, the Birds Eye option tends to be lower in calories and sodium than many other frozen convenience foods, which is definitely a point in its favor!
Personal Experience & Recommendations
I’ve gotta admit, I’ve turned to Birds Eye Voila meals many times when life gets hectic. The garlic chicken variety is one of my favorites because the sauce has good flavor without being overwhelming.
One thing I’ve learned is that these meals work best as a base that you can customize. For example, last week I was super busy with work and didn’t have time to cook. I grabbed the Voila Garlic Chicken from my freezer, prepared it according to the directions, but then added some leftover rotisserie chicken and a handful of spinach that was about to go bad in my fridge. It turned a basic frozen meal into something much more substantial and nutritious!
Who Should Consider This Meal?
This frozen meal option might be particularly good for:
- Busy professionals who don’t have time to cook from scratch
- College students with limited cooking facilities
- Parents needing a quick dinner option
- Anyone looking for a relatively balanced convenience meal
- People who are new to cooking and want something foolproof
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?
On the other hand, this might not be the best choice for:
- Those on very low-sodium diets
- People following strict keto or low-carb eating plans
- Anyone with specific food allergies (always check the package for allergen information)
- Those who prioritize whole, unprocessed foods exclusively
Final Thoughts on Birds Eye Voila Garlic Chicken
So, is Birds Eye Voila Garlic Chicken worth adding to your freezer arsenal? In my opinion, yes – with some caveats.
As a standalone meal, it’s a decent option in the world of frozen foods. The calorie count is moderate, it contains a mix of protein, carbs, and vegetables, and it’s quick to prepare. However, I think it shines brightest when used as a starting point that you can enhance with additional fresh ingredients.
The nutritional profile makes it a better choice than many other convenience foods, but it’s still a processed product with moderate sodium levels and some trans fats. Like most things in nutrition, it’s all about balance and context.
If you’re looking for a convenient meal solution for those hectic days (and we ALL have them!), keeping a package of Birds Eye Voila Garlic Chicken in your freezer could be a smart strategy. Just remember to pair it with extra vegetables when possible and be mindful of portion sizes if you’re watching your calorie intake.
Until next time, happy (and convenient) eating!
Quick FAQ About Birds Eye Voila Garlic Chicken
Q: How many servings are in a family-size package?
A: Typically 3-4 servings, but this can vary based on appetite and whether you’re serving it as a main dish or side.
Q: Can I microwave this instead of using a skillet?
A: While the package directions usually recommend skillet preparation for best results, many people do use the microwave in a pinch. Just be aware that the texture might not be quite as good.
Q: How long does it take to prepare?
A: Usually about 10-15 minutes on the stovetop.
Q: Is this meal gluten-free?
A: No, the Birds Eye Voila Garlic Chicken contains pasta which has gluten. Always check the packaging for the most up-to-date allergen information.
Q: Where can I purchase this meal?
A: It’s available at most major grocery stores in the frozen food section.
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