Have you ever grabbed a handful of those adorable dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets without thinking about what’s actually in them? I know I have! Perdue Chicken Breast Dino-Nuggets are a kid favorite (and let’s be honest, adults love ’em too), but what exactly are we putting into our bodies when we munch on these prehistoric-shaped treats?
Today, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about the calories and nutrition in Perdue Chicken Breast Nuggets – specifically the fun Dino-Nuggets that are fully cooked, breaded, and frozen. Let’s dig into the nutritional archeology of these popular nuggets!
Calorie Breakdown: What’s in Those Dino Shapes?
According to the nutritional info, a serving of Perdue Chicken Breast Dino-Nuggets (5 pieces, which is about 3.4 oz) contains
- 230 calories per serving
- 11g of fat (3g saturated, 0g trans fat)
- 15g of carbohydrates
- 14g of protein
- 600mg of sodium (25% of daily value)
To put this in perspective these 5 little dino nuggets represent
- 17% of your daily fat intake
- 15% of your daily saturated fat intake
- 17% of your daily cholesterol intake
- A whopping 25% of your daily sodium intake!
What Would It Take to Burn Off Those Dino Nuggets?
Ever wonder how long you’d need to exercise to work off those nuggets? Based on a 35-year-old female who is 5’7″ tall and weighs 144 lbs, you’d need to
- Swim for 19 minutes
- Jog for 26 minutes
- Cycle for 35 minutes
- Walk for 64 minutes
That’s right – you’d need to walk for over an hour to burn off just 5 nuggets! Makes you think twice about that second serving, doesn’t it?
What’s Actually In These Nuggets?
I was curious about the ingredients, so I dug deeper. Perdue boasts that these nuggets are made with “all white meat chicken” and are:
- No Antibiotics Ever
- 100% Vegetarian Fed chicken
- Hatched, raised and harvested in the USA
- Raised on independent family farms
The ingredients list includes:
- Chicken Breast With Rib Meat
- Water
- Salt
- Sodium Phosphate
- Various breading ingredients including bleached wheat flour, sugar, yeast, yellow corn flour
- Batter ingredients including more flours, whey, salt, dextrose
- Various spices and leavening agents
Are They Actually Healthy?
Let’s get real here – these aren’t exactly a health food. With 230 calories for just 5 nuggets, they’re pretty calorie-dense for such a small amount of food. The 600mg of sodium (25% of your daily intake) in one serving is also pretty high.
BUT… compared to similar products, they do have some positives:
- They’re made with actual chicken breast meat
- They contain no artificial ingredients
- The chicken is raised without antibiotics
- They provide a decent amount of protein (14g per serving)
Kid-Friendly But Watch The Portions
These dinosaur-shaped nuggets are obviously marketed towards kids, and they’re definitely kid-friendly. What child doesn’t love eating dinosaurs? But parents should be aware of the nutrition facts when serving these:
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 230 | – |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Carbs | 15g | 5% |
| Protein | 14g | – |
| Sodium | 600mg | 25% |
The recommended serving size is 5 nuggets, which honestly isn’t that many for a hungry kid (or adult!). It’s easy to eat way more than that in one sitting, which means you could easily consume a significant portion of your daily sodium and fat intake.
Alternatives and Healthier Options
If your looking for healthier alternatives to Perdue Dino-Nuggets, consider:
- Making your own nuggets from scratch with chicken breast
- Looking for nuggets with less breading
- Choosing grilled chicken options instead of breaded
- Serving nuggets with plenty of veggies on the side
- Limiting portions and frequency
The Convenience Factor
Let’s be honest tho – one of the biggest benefits of these frozen nuggets is CONVENIENCE. They’re fully cooked, so you just need to heat them up. For busy parents or anyone looking for a quick meal, that’s a huge plus.
The nuggets can be prepared in:
- Conventional oven
- Microwave
- Air fryer (my personal favorite method!)
Comparison to Restaurant Nuggets
While we’re examining these frozen nuggets, it’s worth pointing out that they’re generally lower in calories than fast food chicken nuggets. Many restaurant options contain more fat, sodium, and mysterious ingredients than these Perdue nuggets.
For example, an equivalent amount of some fast food nuggets can contain:
- More calories (250-300+)
- Higher sodium levels (700mg+)
- More preservatives and additives
So while Perdue’s Dino-Nuggets aren’t a health food, they’re often a better choice than drive-thru alternatives.
Who Should Avoid These Nuggets?
Based on the ingredients, these nuggets contain:
- Wheat (gluten)
- Milk derivatives (whey)
So they’re not suitable for people with:
- Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity
- Dairy allergies or intolerance
- People on low-sodium diets
Fun Ways to Make Dino Nuggets Healthier
We can make these nuggets part of a more balanced meal by:
- Serving them with plenty of veggies
- Making a dinosaur-themed “landscape” with broccoli trees and carrot stick logs
- Using them as protein in a salad (for adults who still love dinosaur shapes!)
- Limiting the portion size and balancing with healthier sides
- Cooking them in an air fryer instead of deep frying
My Personal Take
I’ll be real with you – I love these little dino nuggets as an occasional treat! They’re fun, convenient, and satisfy that comfort food craving. But I definitely don’t eat them everyday, and I always try to pair them with something green on my plate.
The biggest concerns I have are the sodium content and the portion size trap. It’s SO easy to eat more than 5 nuggets, especially when they’re shaped like cute little dinosaurs!
The Bottom Line on Perdue Dino Nuggets
These fun-shaped nuggets contain:
- 230 calories per 5-piece serving
- 11g fat, 15g carbs, 14g protein
- 600mg sodium (25% of daily value)
- All white meat chicken with no antibiotics
- Fully cooked, frozen convenience
They’re not the healthiest food choice, but they’re not the worst either. As with most processed foods, moderation is key. These can definitely be part of a balanced diet when eaten occasionally and served with healthy sides.
FAQs About Perdue Chicken Breast Dino-Nuggets
How many calories are in one Perdue Dino-Nugget?
Each nugget contains approximately 46 calories, as a 5-piece serving contains 230 calories.
Are these nuggets gluten-free?
No, they contain wheat flour in the breading, so they’re not suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
Do these nuggets contain any dairy?
Yes, they contain whey, which is derived from milk, so they’re not suitable for those with dairy allergies.
How long do you cook Perdue Dino-Nuggets?
Typically, you’d bake them at 425°F for about 10-12 minutes, but always follow the package instructions for the most accurate cooking times.
Are these healthier than fast food nuggets?
Generally yes, they contain fewer calories and less sodium than most fast food nugget options, and they’re made with all white meat chicken without antibiotics.
Can adults eat Dino-Nuggets too?
Absolutely! There’s no age limit on dinosaur-shaped food. I’m in my 30s and still enjoy them occasionally!
How much protein do these provide?
Each 5-piece serving provides 14g of protein, which is a decent amount for a snack or part of a meal.
Are these fully cooked?
Yes, these nuggets are fully cooked. You’re just reheating them when you prepare them at home, which adds to their convenience factor.
Final Thoughts
Perdue Chicken Breast Dino-Nuggets are a fun, convenient protein option that kids (and kids at heart) love. While they’re not a health food by any means, they’re made with real chicken breast meat and no antibiotics, making them a better choice than many alternatives.
Just be mindful of portion sizes and the sodium content, and try to balance these tasty dinosaurs with plenty of fruits and veggies. And remember – everything in moderation, even cute dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets!
What’s your favorite way to serve Perdue Dino-Nuggets? Do you have any special dipping sauces or sides that make them even better? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Chicken Nugget Caesar Salad
Frequently Asked Questions:
How many calories in Dino Nuggets?
There are 230 calories in each 4 nuggets (80g, 1 serving) of Foster Farms Dino Nuggets.
How much protein in Dino Nuggets?
There are 10 grams of protein in each 4 nuggets (80g, 1 serving) of Foster Farms Dino Nuggets.
How can you cook Dino Nuggets?
You can cook Foster Farms Dino Nuggets in the conventional oven, microwave, deep fryer, or air fryer.
How long to air fry Dino Nuggets?
Preheat air fryer to 360°F. Arrange frozen nuggets in a single layer in basket. Heat for 7 minutes or until heated through.
How long to bake Dino Nuggets?
Preheat to 400 °F. Place frozen nuggets in a single layer on a foiled-lined baking sheet. Heat 13 to 15 minutes or until heated through.
The label no antibiotics ever on meat products means that the animals raised for that meat have never received any antibiotics during their lifetime. This label assures consumers that the meat is free from any antibiotics, including both therapeutic and preventative use. To ensure the credibility of no antibiotics ever claims, there are certifications and regulations in place.
*Minimally processed, no artificial ingredients
†Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones or steroids in poultry.
††Foster Farms Organic poultry is fed a diet that contains non-genetically engineered ingredients. USDA organic regulations prohibit the use of genetically engineered feed ingredients in poultry products labeled as Organic.
Serving Size 4 Nuggets (80g)
chicken breast with rib meat, wheat flour, water, food starch, contains 2% or less of soy protein isolate, salt, yellow corn flour, yeast, sugar, wheat gluten, soybean oil, natural flavor, spices, paprika extract, cream of tartar, annatto extract, sodium bicarbonate. parfried in vegetable oil.