Moe’s Adobo Chicken vs White Meat Chicken: Which is Better?

Last Updated on September 14, 2024 by Shari Mason

Moe’s Southwest Grill, a super **famous spot**, is loved for its yummy Mexican-style eats.

But in 2018, some brand managers claimed that they somehow started losing customers after they removed their White Meat Chicken and replaced it with Adobo Chicken.

But really, what are the differences between the two, and which one is better? Here’s a quick guide to differentiate Moe’s Adobo Chicken vs White Meat Chicken.

Comparing Moe’s Adobo Chicken & White Meat Chicken

Moe’s Adobo Chicken and White Meat Chicken differ in appearance and calorie content. Adobo Chicken has a darker color, more calorie content, and more robust flavors. 

On the other hand, White Chicken Meat has a lighter appearance, lower sodium content, and more versatile flavor.

As for the prices and popularity, these two chicken varieties are somehow similar. 

How They Differ

Chicken Meat Color

Moe’s Adobo Chicken has a darker color than their White Meat Chicken. Adobo Chicken’s color comes from dark meat chicken (thighs or legs), spices, and seasoning during production. 

It usually has a deep mahogany color, but it may vary depending on the amount and type of herbs and spices used. 

On the other hand, White Meat Chicken usually has a consistently light color, and many people believe it is healthier with fewer calories and less fat.

Popularity

Many customers prefer Moe’s Original White Meat Chicken because of its mild taste and ease of cooking. 

However, it was replaced by Adobo Chicken in 2018, leading to many consumers petitioning on Change.org to bring it back on their menu. It has already earned more than 1000 signatures.

Fortunately, Moe’s brought it back two years later. Although many customers were looking for White Meat Chicken, Moe’s Adobo Chicken also became increasingly popular.

Nutrition

Many customers requesting to bring back the White Meat Chicken stated that Adobo Chicken is not as healthy and tasty as the original. 

Adobo Chicken usually contains 148 cals and 8g fats, while White Meat Chicken contains 130 cals and 4g fats.

Moe’s Adobo Chicken usually has 380 mg sodium, higher than White Meat Chicken with 170 mg because of its added ingredients like herbs and spices. 

However, both varieties are good sources of lean protein.

Texture

The texture of Moe’s Adobo Chicken is juicier and more tender than White Meat Chicken. The herbs, spices, and other seasonings led to the Adobo Chicken’s more complex texture and flavor profile. 

Despite that, many customers complained on their petition that Adobo Chicken is nasty and tastes horrible.

Meanwhile, the White Meat Chicken that many customers prefer tends to be a little dry. It’s not that bad since the White Meat Chicken is still a tasty variety from the restaurant. 

Taste & Flavor

The Adobo Chicken should be more flavorful and tasty than White Meat Chicken because of all the seasonings used for the marinade. 

However, customers believe Adobo Chicken is “greasy and fatty” and less healthy than White Meat Chicken. 

“Moe’s has benefited from a rapid expansion in recent years, which has given the brand a stronger position as a Chipotle alternative.”

– Lisa Recoussine, Cloud Technology Sales Manager

Many loyal customers of the brand prefer the taste and flavor of White Meat Chicken to Adobo Chicken. 

Prices

The prices of Moe’s Adobo Chicken and White Meat Chicken are the same. Adobo Chicken has replaced White Meat Chicken for about two years.

Owned by Focus Brands, Moe’s Southwest Grill already has more than 700 branches as of 2021 [1]. 

It is mainly located around the Mississippi River, so that the prices may vary depending on the location. 

For instance, Homewrecker Burrito is around $10 to $11 for Adobo Chicken and White Meat Chicken.

FAQs

Wrapping Up

Our team has unanimously decided that White Meat Chicken is better than Adobo Chicken based on calorie content and flavor. Although Adobo Chicken has more robust flavors, White Meat Chicken is more versatile to be added to different dishes. 

White Meat Chicken contains 130 calories, 4g total fat, 170 mg sodium, and 23g protein per serving. These numbers are slightly lower than Adobo Chicken, making the difference between the two varieties insignificant. 

But Adobo Chicken would be ideal if you are looking for a different dish and are on a relaxed diet. 

References:

1. https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/052015/who-are-chipotles-cmg-main-competitors.asp 
2. https://www.yahoo.com/now/white-meat-vs-dark-meat-221915975.html