Lightlife debuts whole-muscle, plant-based chicken at Whole Foods prepared food sections

07-Oct-2021 - Last updated on 07-Oct-2021 at 15:26 GMT

Photo Credit: Whole Foods Market

Related tags Whole foods Lightlife plant-based chicken

Lightlife will debut its new plant-based, whole-muscle chicken product exclusively in the prepared foods section in Whole Foods Market locations this month, making parent company Greenleaf Foods the exclusive plant-based chicken provider for all Whole Foods North American prepared foods departments.

The follows Lightlife's debut of its breaded plant-based chicken tenders and fillets at retail stores earlier this year, the first breaded plant-based chicken designed to be sold alongside fresh meat at grocers, the company said.

Lightlife's unbreaded, whole-muscle, plant-based chicken made from pea protein will be available in more than 500 Whole Foods prepared foods departments in the United States and Canada.

"This unique, versatile design is the result of collaboration with the Whole Foods Market’s culinary team that has a taste, color and pull-apart texture that delivers on chicken experience,” said Jitendra Sagili, chief research, development and food technology officer of Greenleaf Foods, SPC.

The plant-based chicken will be used in a variety of recipes across Whole Foods hot bar, cold salad bar, and grab-and-go offerings.

“Chicken is the most popular animal protein in the US, because it can be used in a wide variety of different dishes,” said Tommy McDonald, executive chef of Greenleaf Foods, SPC.

“This product performs well in hot or cold food applications, and one of my favorite dishes is the new Whole Foods Market Classic Vegan-Chicken Salad.”