A Comprehensive Review of Don Lee Farms Grilled Chicken Patties

Grilled chicken is a diet staple for many health-conscious folks. This food is a great source of lean protein and can be used in many dishes, from salads to sandwiches. It’s not hard to grill your own chicken breast, but there are times when speed and ease are more important. That’s where pre-made grilled chicken patties can be a lifesaver.

Don Lee Farms is a well-known brand of ready-made grilled chicken patties. Their grilled chicken patties are ready to eat and promise flavor and nutrition. But are they worth the price? I decided to give them a try and write a full review.

An Overview of Don Lee Farms Grilled Chicken Patties

Don Lee Farms grilled chicken patties are fully cooked, frozen patties made from chicken breast meat mixed with spices and flavorings. They come in a resealable 12-pack box, with each patty containing 150 calories, 22g of protein, and 7g of fat.

The convenience factor is a major selling point Since the patties are pre-cooked, you can prepare them in just minutes. Simply heat them up in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven. Don Lee Farms says they are also grillable, adding that char-grilled flavor

The ingredients are fairly simple and natural. Each patty is made of chicken breast, water, onions, sea salt, natural flavors, spices, and grill flavor. They contain no artificial preservatives or colors. The chicken also comes from farms that don’t use antibiotics on their chicken.

Nutritionally, these patties hit the mark. With only 150 calories per patty, they’re a great way to get extra protein. For a pre-cooked frozen item, the fat and sodium levels are also pretty low.

Heating and Cooking Don Lee Farms Grilled Chicken Patties

I tried heating the chicken patties in the microwave, air fryer, and skillet to compare results.

Microwave – I microwaved a patty on high for 45 seconds, flipped, then microwaved 45 more seconds. It heated through easily without drying out. The patty stayed juicy and tender.

Air Fryer – Air frying at 400F for 5-6 minutes crisped up the outside nicely while keeping the inside moist. Flipping halfway helped ensure even cooking.

Skillet – I heated a skillet over medium high heat with a bit of oil, then seared the patty for 2-3 minutes per side. This gave the best char and caramelization.

Don Lee Farms recommends grilling the patties over medium heat for 6-7 minutes per side. While I didn’t grill them, cooking in a hot skillet or air fryer mimicked that char-grilled taste.

Flavor, Texture, and Overall Taste

My first impression after biting into a heated Don Lee Farms patty was the juiciness. They are exceptionally moist and tender. The flavor is mild but pleasant, with subtle notes of smoke and spice.

The texture resembles chicken nugget meat or a very fine grind/puree. It’s smooth and homogeneous, not stringy or chunky like a whole chicken breast. I wouldn’t call it “grilled chicken” texture, but it’s pleasantly soft and palatable.

Overall, the patties make a satisfying vehicle for flavors and toppings. I can see them being perfect on a sandwich or salad. On their own, they are decent but not amazing. A squirt of sauce or spice rub would liven them up.

Serving Suggestions and Recipe Ideas

The mild flavor and tender texture make these patties adaptable to just about any recipe:

• Chicken sandwiches or wraps with lettuce, tomato, avocado

• Chopped chicken salads with vinaigrette dressing

• Chicken tacos or fajitas with peppers and onions

• Chicken pizza or flatbread with pesto and vegetables

• Chicken rice or quinoa bowls with stir fried veggies

• Chicken ramen with broth, mushrooms, and greens

• Chicken pasta in tomato or cream sauce

• Chicken parmesan over zucchini noodles

The options are endless! Don Lee Farms patties provide a quick protein base suitable for both savory and lighter dishes.

Nutrition Info and Ingredients Analysis

Here is the nutrition information per one Don Lee Farms grilled chicken patty (3.5oz):

• Calories: 150
• Fat: 7g
• Carbs: 1g
• Protein: 22g
• Sodium: 350mg

The ingredient list is straightforward:

• Chicken breast
• Water
• Onions
• Sea salt
• Natural flavors
• Spices
• Grill flavor (likely contains yeast extract)

I appreciate the use of natural spices and flavors. The ingredients are pretty basic and familiar. While not an ultra-clean label, it’s better than most highly processed frozen meats.

Price and Where to Buy Don Lee Farms Patties

A 12-pack box of Don Lee Farms grilled chicken patties retails between $9-15 at major grocery chains like Kroger, Safeway, Costco, and Walmart. The per patty cost ranges from $0.75-$1.25 depending on deals and bulk savings.

Online shopping sites like Amazon and Walmart.com also stock these chicken patties. Subscribing and saving drops the box price to around $10-12 on Amazon.

For the nutrition profile and convenience, I think it’s reasonably priced, especially when buying in bulk. It costs slightly more than cooking your own raw chicken breast but saves meal prep time.

Pros and Cons of Don Lee Farms Grilled Chicken Patties

Pros:

• Fully cooked and ready in minutes
• Excellent source of lean protein
• Lower in fat and calories than many frozen meats
• Contains no artificial preservatives or colors
• Antibiotic-free chicken
• Mild flavor adaptable to recipes
• Moist, tender texture when heated
• Fairly affordable cost per serving

Cons:

• Highly processed texture
• Needs sauce or spice for full flavor
• Higher sodium than plain chicken breast
• Not organic or certified humane (but no antibiotics)

The Verdict: Who Would Enjoy These Patties?

At the end of the day, I was pleasantly surprised by the Don Lee Farms grilled chicken patties. The convenience factor is unmatched, and the nutrition stats make them an excellent protein choice. While the texture won’t mimic whole chicken breast, it’s tender and works well in sandwiches, salads, and more.

I would recommend these patties to anyone looking for:

• An easy weeknight protein solution
• A lower-fat alternative to beef or pork
• An on-the-go protein source for work lunches
• An ingredient for chicken salads, wraps, pitas, etc.
• An affordable frozen meat option

The mild flavor does mean you’ll want to enliven them with sauces, rubs, or other ingredients. But their adaptability to recipes makes them very useful. Keep a box in the freezer for healthy meals in a pinch!

Overall, Don Lee Farms grilled chicken patties deliver on convenience without compromising too much on nutrition or taste. They make a great staple for busy families, meal preppers, and anyone wanting an easy protein source. While not gourmet, they perform as promised and are worth keeping stocked in your freezer.