Perdue Simply Smart Chicken Strips: An Honest Review, Cooking Guide & FAQs

Let's talk frozen chicken strips. You're standing in the freezer aisle, the cold air hitting your face, staring at a wall of options. Tyson, Bell & Evans, store brands... and then you see the blue bag. Perdue Simply Smart. The packaging promises "all natural*", "gluten free", and "a good source of protein." Sounds good, right? But is it just marketing, or are these Perdue Simply Smart chicken strips actually a smart choice for a busy Tuesday night?

I've been there. I've bought the disappointing bag of soggy, bland strips that my kids pushed around their plates. I've also found the holy grail of easy dinners. So I decided to put Perdue's offering through its paces. This isn't a sponsored post or some AI-generated fluff. It's my honest, detailed take after cooking multiple bags, reading the fine print, and comparing them to what else is out there.

What Exactly Are You Getting? The Ingredient and Nutrition Lowdown

This is where most reviews just copy the label and call it a day. Let's dig deeper. The core promise of Perdue Simply Smart chicken strips is simplicity. The ingredient list is noticeably shorter than many competitors. For the original variety, you're looking at: chicken breast, water, rice starch, sea salt, natural flavor, and paprika.

No long chemical names. No wheat. That's a big deal for folks with gluten sensitivities or those just trying to avoid heavily processed foods. The "all natural*" claim comes with an asterisk, of course. The USDA defines "natural" as minimally processed and no artificial ingredients. Perdue adheres to this, but it's always worth remembering the term isn't as tightly regulated as "organic." For more on these definitions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides official guidelines.

Now, the nutrition facts per serving (about 3 strips or 84g): You're getting around 170-180 calories, 7-8g of fat (1g saturated), 10-12g of carbs (from the rice starch coating), 1g of fiber, and a respectable 18-19g of protein. The sodium is where some people might pause—around 400-450mg per serving. That's not crazy for a processed food, but it's something to be mindful of if you're on a sodium-restricted diet.

I compared the original to the honey mustard flavor. The honey mustard ones have a bit more sugar (3g vs 0g) and slightly higher carbs, which makes sense given the flavor profile. The protein content stays consistently high across flavors, which is the main nutritional win here.

Perdue Simply Smart Chicken Strips: Nutrition at a Glance

See that protein column? That's the star of the show. 18-19 grams from a small serving of chicken strips is impressive. It turns a snack into a meal, keeps you full, and supports muscle health. For a deep dive into protein requirements and nutrition, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's Nutrition Source is an excellent, science-backed resource.

My personal take? The ingredient list is clean for a frozen food. The protein content is a major plus. The sodium is the trade-off for flavor and preservation. If you're cooking for kids or watching salt, you might want to pair them with low-sodium sides.

Cooking Them Right: This is Where Most People Go Wrong

You can have the best ingredients in the world, but if you cook them poorly, they'll taste bad. I've found the cooking method makes or breaks the Perdue Simply Smart chicken strips experience. The bag says oven or skillet. I say: use your air fryer. Seriously.

The oven method works, but it requires patience. 425°F for 15-17 minutes, flipping halfway. I found they need the full time, if not a minute or two more, to get truly crispy. If you take them out too early, the coating can be a bit gummy. The skillet method is fine in a pinch, but it uses oil and requires more babysitting.

Here's a weird thing I noticed: the original flavor seems to crisp up better than the honey mustard in the oven. The honey mustard coating can brown a little faster, so you might want to lower the temp to 400°F and add a couple of minutes. It's a small detail, but it matters for texture.

What about from frozen? Absolutely. That's the whole point. Don't thaw them. Just go straight from freezer to cooking appliance. Thawing makes the coating soggy before it even hits the heat.

Can you overcook them? You bet. Leave them in the air fryer for 15 minutes and you'll get little chicken jerky sticks. They dry out. The sweet spot is when the internal temperature hits 165°F. If you have a meat thermometer, use it once near the end of cooking. It takes the guesswork out.

Taste and Texture: The Moment of Truth

Alright, they're cooked. How do they actually taste?

The original flavor is... straightforward. It tastes like chicken with a mild, seasoned breading. The coating isn't heavily spiced. It's savory with a hint of paprika and pepper. It's not bland, but it's not bursting with flavor either. This is actually a positive for many families—it's a neutral base that picky eaters will accept and that you can dress up with sauces. The chicken inside is moist and shreds nicely. It doesn't have that weird, rubbery, or processed texture you sometimes find.

The honey mustard flavor is where things get interesting. The mustard tang is there, but it's mild. The honey provides a subtle sweetness. It's not overpowering. My kids loved this one. I thought it was a nice change of pace. The coating on these seems a tiny bit thicker.

Now, the texture. When cooked properly (see above!), the coating is crispy. Not fried-chicken-level crispy, but a satisfying, crunchy exterior. It adheres well to the chicken; you don't get that dreaded "coating slide-off" where all the breading falls off in one piece. The interior is consistently tender. I've had maybe one or two strips out of several bags that were a bit stringy, but that's par for the course with any pre-cut chicken product.

Let's talk about the "gluten-free" factor. The coating uses rice starch. For anyone with Celiac disease or a serious gluten intolerance, knowing that these are processed in a dedicated gluten-free facility is crucial. Perdue states this on their packaging. Always double-check the bag for the most current allergen info. For official information on gluten-free labeling, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets the standards.

How do they hold up? If you leave them on a plate for 20 minutes, they'll soften like any breaded product. For best results, eat them hot. If you're meal prepping, they reheat decently in a toaster oven or air fryer (not the microwave—the microwave turns them into a sad, soft mess).

How Do They Stack Up? A Quick Comparison

You're not just choosing "chicken strips or no chicken strips." You're choosing between brands. Here's my blunt assessment based on price, taste, and ingredients.

Perdue Simply Smart vs. Tyson All Natural: Tyson's are often cheaper and more widely available. Their flavor is more classic "fast-food" style, which some people prefer. However, Tyson's ingredient list is longer, and they aren't always gluten-free. For a cleaner label and gluten-free need, Perdue Simply Smart wins. For pure nostalgic taste and budget, Tyson might edge it out.

Perdue Simply Smart vs. Bell & Evans: Bell & Evans is the premium player. Their gluten-free strips are fantastic—superior taste and texture, in my opinion. They're also significantly more expensive. It's the choice between a very good, reliable option (Perdue) and a luxury one (Bell & Evans). If budget isn't a concern, go Bell & Evans. For everyday value, Perdue Simply Smart chicken strips make more sense.

Perdue Simply Smart vs. Store Brand (e.g., Whole Foods 365, Market Pantry): Store brands are hit or miss. Some are surprisingly good; others are terrible. The consistency isn't there. Perdue offers a known quantity. You know the ingredient standard (no antibiotics) and the gluten-free processing. You're paying for that reliability.

Creative Ways to Use Them (Beyond the Plate with Ketchup)

This is where a bag of Perdue Simply Smart chicken strips becomes a kitchen workhorse. They're not just a main course.

• Salad Topper: Chop up a couple of strips and throw them on a big bed of greens, cheese, and veggies. Instant protein-packed chef's salad.
• Wrap or Sandwich Filling: Warm a few strips, lay them in a tortilla or bun with lettuce, tomato, and a sauce (ranch, BBQ, sriracha mayo). Done.
• Pizza Topping: Seriously. Chop them and scatter over a pizza before baking. Kids go nuts for chicken strip pizza.
• Pasta Addition: Slice them and toss with Alfredo or marinara sauce and pasta for a quick chicken pasta.
• Appetizer: Cut them into bite-sized pieces, stick toothpicks in them, and serve with various dipping sauces for a party.

The versatility is a huge selling point. It turns a single freezer item into multiple meal solutions.

Common Questions (Stuff You Actually Want to Know)

The Final Verdict: Who Should Buy These?

Let's wrap this up. After all this tasting, cooking, and comparing, here's who I think gets the most value from a bag of Perdue Simply Smart chicken strips.

Buy them if: You need a reliable gluten-free option. You prioritize a shorter ingredient list and no antibiotics. You want a high-protein, convenient food. You have an air fryer (trust me). You need a versatile base for multiple meals.

Maybe skip them if: You're on a very strict low-sodium diet. You're looking for the absolute crispiest, most flavorful strip on the market regardless of price. You strongly prefer a traditional wheat-based breading flavor.

For me, they're a freezer staple. They solve the "what's for dinner?" panic. They please the kids. They fit into a moderately healthy diet when paired with good sides. They aren't a gourmet experience, but they are a consistently good, trustworthy one. That's worth a lot on a busy weeknight.

So next time you're in that freezing cold aisle, staring at the blue bag, you'll know exactly what you're getting. And hopefully, you'll cook them right.