Applegate, the nation’s leading natural and organic meat brand, introduced two additions to its Applegate Naturals frozen chicken portfolio: Lightly Breaded Chicken Tenders and Lightly Breaded Popcorn Chicken. Made with all-whole cuts of white meat chicken that is Applegate Humanely Raised with no antibiotics, the new Lightly Breaded line is gluten-free and packed with crispy, craveable flavor from natural, minimally processed ingredients.

With 12-14 grams of protein per serving and a gluten-free rice flour coating, the Lightly Breaded line has two fewer grams of carbs and two more grams of protein per serving than Applegate Naturals’ Gluten-Free Chicken Breast Tenders. As with Applegate’s other frozen offerings, Applegate Naturals’ Lightly Breaded Chicken Tenders and Popcorn Chicken are ready in minutes. The two new offerings come in re-sealable, ‘family-size’ bags for added convenience.

“Applegate’s Lightly Breaded product expansion fills Americans’ hunger for more delicious, easy-to-make protein options available right from their freezer,” said Joseph O'Connor, president of Applegate. “With Lightly Breaded, we’ve dialed back on the breading for extra crispiness and continue to deliver the nutritious and high-quality chicken Applegate is known for. We know it’ll be a hit with chicken tenders and popcorn chicken fans – including those who are concerned with or sensitive to gluten!”

In the frozen breaded chicken category, Applegate has a repeat purchase rate that’s 1.9 times higher than the category average. Applegate hopes to extend its success in the aisle with the introduction of the Lightly Breaded line, bringing 14 offerings to the shelf, including natural and organic lines, as well as gluten-free options.

Applegate Naturals’ Lightly Breaded Chicken Tenders and Popcorn Chicken will be available on store shelves at select retailers, including Whole Foods, Stop & Shop and Demoulas, this month and have an MSRP of $12.99-14.99.

About Applegate Farms LLC
Founded in 1987, Applegate Farms, LLC produces high-quality natural and organic hot dogs, bacon, sausages, deli meats, cheese and frozen products. The company’s products are made without GMO ingredients, and it sources from farms where animals are treated with care and respect, pursuant to its Applegate Humanely Raised guidelines, and are allowed to grow at their natural rate, all part of its mission – Changing the Meat We Eat. Natural can mean many things, but to Applegate, natural means its food is from animals that are humanely raised without antibiotics, added hormones or growth promotants; from animals that are fed a vegetarian or pasture-centered diet; free of added chemical nitrites, nitrates or phosphates; and free of artificial ingredients or preservatives. Applegate became a standalone subsidiary of Hormel Foods in July 2015.