What Kind of Chicken Does Moe’s Use? The Complete Guide to Their Poultry Choices

Have you ever bitten into a Moe’s burrito and wondered “what kind of chicken does Moe’s use?” I’ve been a Moe’s fan for years, and I’m gonna spill all the juicy details about their chicken options. There’s actually been some drama in the Moe’s chicken world that you might not know about!

The Current Chicken Situation at Moe’s Southwest Grill

Moe’s Southwest Grill is a popular Tex-Mex chain that’s known for their tasty burritos, bowls, and tacos When it comes to their chicken, they currently offer two main options

1. White Meat Chicken – This is their standard chicken option made from chicken breast
2. Adobo Chicken – A dark meat option that has created quite the controversy

Let’s dive deeper into each of these chicken choices so you know exactly what you’re getting next time you visit

Moe’s Strict Chicken Sourcing Standards

Moe’s takes their chicken sourcing pretty seriously. Here’s what you should know about where their chicken comes from:

• They use only farm-raised chicken
• Their chicken is free of antibiotics and steroids
• They work with suppliers that meet ethical standards for animal welfare
• Regular audits are conducted to ensure quality standards
• The chicken is always fresh, never frozen

This careful approach to sourcing means you’re getting quality chicken in your meal. I always appreciate restaurants that care about where their ingredients come from, don’t you?

White Meat Chicken vs. Adobo Chicken: The Great Debate

Here’s where things get interesting! Moe’s made a controversial change to their chicken options that has caused quite a stir among loyal customers.

The Original White Meat Chicken

The original chicken at Moe’s was an all-white meat option that many customers loved. It was:

• Made with chicken breast
• Tender and juicy
• Seasoned with signature spices and herbs
• A lean protein choice with little fat
• Perfect for those on low-carb or keto diets

The Controversial Adobo Chicken

A few years back, Moe’s introduced Adobo Chicken, which is:

• Made from dark meat chicken
• Marinated in an authentic adobo spice blend
• Contains garlic, oregano, cumin, and paprika
• Often includes diced jalapeños for extra kick
• More flavorful but also fattier than the white meat option

The Customer Revolt Against Adobo Chicken

Here’s where the drama begins! When Moe’s introduced the Adobo Chicken, they initially tried to replace their original white meat chicken completely. This led to a serious customer backlash.

In fact, a petition was started on Change.org titled “Bring Back the Original Moe’s Chicken!” The petition gathered over 1,000 signatures from upset customers who described the new Adobo Chicken as “greasy, fatty, and tastes horrible.”

One customer named Ariel from Wheatley Heights wrote: “I found this post online because I was looking up to make sure I was not crazy. I just got the dark meat Adobo chicken and I have never been so disgusted in my life. This is not chicken. It is jelly in the shape of chicken. It has no fiber or texture. It is revolting.”

Another customer, Alison from Jupiter, commented: “My family visits Moe’s frequently after my son’s hockey practice. We love the original white meat chicken but the new version is honestly inedible.”

Due to this customer revolt, Moe’s eventually brought back the white meat chicken option while keeping the Adobo Chicken as an alternative choice.

Nutritional Comparison: White Meat vs. Adobo Chicken

If you’re health-conscious like me, you probably wanna know the nutritional differences between these options:

White Meat Chicken

• Lower in calories
• Lower in fat
• Higher in protein per ounce
• Less flavorful on its own (relies more on seasoning)

Adobo Chicken

• Higher in calories
• Higher in fat content
• More inherent flavor due to dark meat
• Juicier texture

Both options provide protein and essential amino acids, but the white meat chicken is generally considered the healthier choice for those watching their calorie or fat intake.

Most Popular Chicken Dishes at Moe’s

Whether you choose white meat or adobo chicken, Moe’s offers several delicious ways to enjoy it:

• Homewrecker Burrito – Their signature burrito with your choice of chicken
• Earmuffs Bowl – A protein-packed bowl with rice, beans, and chicken
• Close Talker Salad – A lighter option with chicken on a bed of greens
• Billy Barou Nachos – Crispy chips topped with cheese and chicken
• Wrong Doug Quesadilla – A cheesy quesadilla filled with your chicken choice

My personal favorite is the Homewrecker with white meat chicken. It’s got the perfect balance of flavors and keeps me full for hours!

How Moe’s Prepares Their Chicken

I’ve always been curious about how they cook their chicken to get that perfect texture. Here’s what I found out:

White Meat Chicken

1. The chicken breast is marinated in a blend of spices
2. It’s then grilled to perfection
3. After grilling, it’s chopped into bite-sized pieces
4. It’s kept warm on the serving line

Adobo Chicken

1. Dark meat chicken (typically thighs) is marinated in adobo sauce
2. The chicken is slow-cooked to ensure tenderness
3. It’s then shredded or chopped
4. The adobo sauce continues to flavor the meat until serving

Both preparation methods ensure that the chicken stays moist and flavorful in your burrito or bowl.

Moe’s vs. Competitors: How Does Their Chicken Compare?

Let’s compare Moe’s chicken to some of their main competitors:

Moe’s vs. Chipotle

• Chipotle: Uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs for all chicken menu items
• Moe’s: Offers both white meat chicken breast and dark meat adobo chicken
• Difference: Moe’s gives you more options, while Chipotle sticks with thighs for their flavor and moisture

Moe’s vs. Qdoba

• Qdoba: Primarily uses grilled chicken breast
• Moe’s: Has both white and dark meat options
• Difference: Similar white meat offerings, but Moe’s adobo gives them a unique alternative

Fun Facts About Moe’s Chicken

Did you know these interesting tidbits about Moe’s chicken?

• Moe’s cooks their chicken in soybean oil and vegetable stock
• They started serving a limited selection of chicken dishes in 2003
• Their chicken is always cooked fresh in-house daily
• The adobo chicken recipe was inspired by traditional Latin American cooking techniques
• Moe’s occasionally offers limited-time specialty chicken options like Chili Crisp Chicken

What to Pair with Moe’s Chicken

The best way to enjoy Moe’s chicken is with these complementary ingredients:

• Rice: Either their seasoned rice or cilantro lime rice
• Beans: Black beans or pinto beans
• Salsas: Pico de gallo, roasted corn salsa, or mango salsa
• Toppings: Lettuce, cheese, sour cream, guacamole
• Sides: Queso dip, chips, guacamole

I always add extra pico and guac to my chicken burrito. The fresh flavors really compliment the seasoned chicken!

Is Moe’s Chicken a Healthy Choice?

If you’re trying to eat healthy, Moe’s chicken can definitely fit into your diet plan:

• White meat chicken is a lean protein source
• A typical serving provides essential amino acids
• Pair it with fiber-rich beans and vegetables for a balanced meal
• Ask for light cheese and no sour cream to reduce calories
• Choose a bowl instead of a burrito to eliminate the carb-heavy tortilla

I often get a salad with white meat chicken when I’m trying to eat lighter, and it’s actually really satisfying!

The Future of Chicken at Moe’s

Looking ahead, we might see Moe’s continue to innovate with their chicken offerings. Some possibilities include:

• More limited-time specialty chicken flavors
• Additional grilled options for health-conscious customers
• Enhanced sustainable sourcing practices
• New preparation methods to improve flavor and texture

Whatever they do, I hope they keep listening to customer feedback like they did with the adobo chicken controversy!

So, what kind of chicken does Moe’s use? They use both white meat chicken breast and dark meat adobo chicken, giving you the freedom to choose based on your preferences.

If you prefer a leaner, milder option, go with the white meat chicken. If you want something with more flavor and don’t mind the extra fat, try the adobo chicken (though be warned about the mixed reviews!).

Personally, I’m a white meat chicken fan all the way. It’s reliable, healthy, and tastes great with all of Moe’s fresh toppings. But hey, taste is subjective – you do you!

Next time you’re at Moe’s, maybe try both options in different items and see which one you prefer. And don’t forget to welcome to Moe’s when you walk in!

Moe’s Adobo Chicken is a chicken preparation featuring dark meat, marinated and simmered in a savory blend of onion, garlic, and spices including chile de arbol and guajillo, for a flavorful and juicy protein option for their burritos, tacos, and other entrees. The original recipe used white meat, but the dark meat version is now the standard “Adobo Chicken” offered at the restaurant.

Chipotle uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs for its chicken entrées. The choice of thighs provides more flavor and juiciness compared to chicken breasts, and the dark meat is known to absorb marinades well. The chicken is marinated in a blend of spices including chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and cumin before being grilled.