Youfoodz Honey Mustard Chicken with Garlic Veg
Youfoodz Honey Mustard Chicken with Garlic Veg: independently scored 8.9/10 on Protein Score and 7.4/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
21.3g protein per serve · 251 cal · 17.8g sugar · 839.5mg sodium · 318g serve.
Overview
This tray lands with a sodium load that eats up around 42% of your daily 2000mg limit, a figure that puts it well above the typical ready meal we see. For a meal that comes in at just over 250 calories, that is a hefty trade-off for the convenience and flavour. Compared with the brand's Beef Chilli Con Carne with Coriander Rice, this Honey Mustard Chicken packs a fraction more protein but almost double the sugar. It's a pattern we see in some of the Youfoodz range where sweeter sauces push the sugar content up, unlike their lower-sugar options like the Thai Chicken Yellow Curry. The protein comes from real chicken breast, anchored by pumpkin and carrot instead of just rice or pasta. However, the ingredient list runs to 26 items, including thickeners and acidity regulators to keep it stable in the chiller. At just 251 calories, we'd class this as a light lunch or a top-up, not a filling dinner on its own.
Protein Score: 8.9/10
Stacked against the Youfoodz Beef Chilli Con Carne, this Honey Mustard Chicken tray delivers a touch more protein per 100g. With 21.3g of protein per serve, it's a solid contribution for a meal this light on calories, earning an 8/10. That protein-per-calorie metric is where it shines, hitting 8.5g per 100kcal. This puts it in the 'balanced' camp, steering clear of being padded out with cheap carbs. It's an efficient way to get your protein if you're also keeping an eye on total energy intake. For a post-gym refuel or a quick desk lunch, it provides the protein hit without the heaviness of a larger meal. But if you need a truly high-protein dinner to fill you up, you'd need to look towards athlete-grade meals that clear the 30g or 40g mark.
Clean Score: 7.4/10
Acidity regulators (451, 450) and thickeners like carrageenan (407) are doing the work to keep this meal together, contributing to its 5.4/10 Clean Score. The 26-ingredient list is shorter than the category average, but the presence of multiple additives pulls it down. These additives are common in chilled ready meals, ensuring the sauce doesn't split and the texture holds up after microwaving. It's the price of convenience for a meal that needs to survive the supply chain and still look appealing on the shelf. The trade-off is a longer ingredient list than you'd use at home. While there are no artificial colours or preservatives, the use of modified starch and gums places it on the more processed end of the spectrum. For shoppers who prefer to stick to whole-food ingredients, other meals in the Youfoodz range like the Thai Chicken Yellow Curry offer a cleaner profile.
Wins
- A solid 21.3g of protein in a low-calorie 251-serve.
- Uses real chicken breast as the primary protein source.
- Pumpkin and carrot provide the base, not just pasta or rice.
Watch outs
- Very high sodium, with one serve containing 42% of the daily limit.
- Contains 17.8g of sugar per serve, largely from honey and sauce.
- Five additives including thickeners and stabilisers are used.
Ingredients
Pumpkin (33%), Chicken (22%), Carrot (16%), Water, Potato, Onion, Honey (2.5%), Seeded Mustard (2%), Butter (Milk), Garlic (1%), Marinade (Acidity Regulators (327, 451, 450), Thickeners (407, 412)), Thickened Cream (Milk) (Thickener (1422)), Dijon Mustard (0.5%), Modified Starch (1422), Natural Flavour, Canola Oil, Vegetable Booster, Lemon Juice, Black Pepper, Parsley, Salt.
26 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- How much sodium does this meal contain?
- This meal contains 839.5mg of sodium per 318g serve. That represents approximately 42% of the 2000mg suggested daily target, which is a significant amount for a single meal, especially one under 300 calories. The sodium content is higher than the average ready meal we analyse. In our view, this makes it a meal for occasional convenience rather than regular consumption, particularly if you're mindful of your sodium intake.
- Is this meal suitable for eating several times a week?
- We would be cautious about eating this meal multiple times a week. The main reasons are its high sodium (839.5mg) and sugar (17.8g) content per serve. Consuming this regularly could make it difficult to stay within the daily recommended limits for both. While convenient, it's better suited as an occasional backup meal. For more frequent eating, we'd suggest looking at lower-sodium and lower-sugar options, including others in the Youfoodz range.
- How do you heat this Youfoodz meal?
- This is a chilled ready meal designed to be heated in the microwave. You simply need to pierce the film and heat it for a few minutes, as per the instructions on the tray. It's not designed for oven cooking. The format is built for maximum convenience, making it a quick option for a work lunch or a fast dinner when you're short on time. It's ready in under five minutes.
- Where can I buy this Youfoodz meal?
- Youfoodz ready meals are widely available in the chiller aisle of major Australian supermarkets, with this Honey Mustard Chicken tray listed at Coles. You may also find it stocked at other supermarkets or service stations. The brand, which is owned by HelloFresh, also offers direct delivery via its own website. Availability can vary by store location, so it's always best to check your local.
- How does this compare to other Youfoodz meals?
- This Honey Mustard Chicken is one of the higher-sugar options in the Youfoodz lineup we've seen, with 17.8g per serve. It sits above the brand's average for protein, but also carries a much higher sodium load. Compared to savoury options like the Thai Chicken Yellow Curry or Beef Chilli Con Carne, it's noticeably sweeter and saltier. If you prefer a cleaner ingredient list with less sugar, we think other meals in the range are a better fit.