Chicken nuggets
Perdue Panko Chicken Nuggets
29 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains added sugars
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 26
Perdue Panko Chicken Nuggets scores 26 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Dextrose: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better chicken nuggets and tenders
-
Panko Chicken Breast Tenders Kirkwood · 48 oz No added sugars · No dextrose Score 64 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Chicken Breast Tenders Breaded Chicken Breast Fillets Applegate Naturals · 16 oz Not ultra-processed · No dextrose Score 68 out of 100 , 42 points higher -
Crispy Chicken Strips Tyson · 1360 g Not ultra-processed · No dextrose Score 70 out of 100 , 44 points higher -
Lightly Breaded Popcorn Chicken Breaded Chicken Breast Bites Applegate Naturals Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 53 points higher -
Breaded Chicken Tenderloin Breasts Trader Joe's No added sugars · No dextrose Score 69 out of 100 , 43 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Panko Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- Dextrose minus 20 points
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
- Yeast extract minus 1.5 points
- Guar gum minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 6 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 2.8 g / 100 g minus 1.5 points
- Salt 1.3 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Energy 210 kcal / 100 g minus 0.5 points
- Protein 13.3 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 74.5 = 25.5 → 26
Can’t score above 79. Contains dextrose, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 210 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 13.3 g |
| Saturated fat | 2.8 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 15.6 g |
| Sugars | 1.1 g |
| Added sugars | 1.1 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 13.3 g |
| Salt | 1.3 g |
Serving: 4 pieces (90 g)
Recipe changed
- Seed oils removed
Compared with an older list (USDA FoodData Central). The current list is from October 2025.
Ingredients
- Boneless Chicken Breast with Rib Meat
- Water
- Wheat Flour
- Yellow Corn Flour
- Salt
- Dextrose (high concern)
- Sugar (high concern)
- Yeast
- Corn Starch
- Spices
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Natural Extractives of Paprika
- Natural Flavors
- Yeast Extract
- Guar Gum
- Dried Garlic
- Dried Onion
Label text, as published
Boneless Chicken Breast with Rib Meat, Water, Wheat Flour, Yellow Corn Flour. Contains 2% or Less of Salt, Dextrose, Sugar, Yeast, Corn Starch, Spices, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Natural Extractives of Paprika, Natural Flavors, Yeast Extract, Guar Gum, Dried Garlic, Dried Onion.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Wheat, Gluten
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More chicken nuggets on GoodSwap
-
Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks Kirkland · 64 oz High in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 63 out of 100 Good -
Chicken Nuggets Impossible · 13.5 oz (383 g) Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains seed oilsNo synthetic dyes Score 20 out of 100 Poor -
Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks Just Bare · 64 oz (4 lb) Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 53 out of 100 Okay -
Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks Kirkland Signature · 64 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 50 out of 100 Okay -
Crispy Chicken Breast Strips Tyson · 25 oz Ultra-processedContains seed oils Score 75 out of 100 Good -
Dinosaur Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets Breaded Chicken Breast with rib meat Dino Buddies · 5 lb Ultra-processedContains nitrites or nitratesContains seed oilsNo synthetic dyes Score 60 out of 100 Good
More from Perdue
-
Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets Perdue · 5 lb (2.26 kg) Score 24 out of 100 Poor -
Chicken Tenders Perdue · 22 oz Score 50 out of 100 Okay -
Chicken Tenders Perdue · 29 oz/1.81 lb Score 29 out of 100 Poor -
Chicken Plus Panko Breaded Chicken Breast & Vegetable Dino Nuggets Perdue · 22 oz Score 20 out of 100 Poor
Sources
-
Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
-
“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org