Boar's Head offers a variety of chicken products, and for those monitoring their carbohydrate intake, the nutritional profile is a key consideration. The good news is that most Boar's Head chicken breasts are exceptionally low in carbs, with many popular options containing no carbs at all. However, some seasoned or glazed varieties may include a trace amount due to added ingredients like sugar or maltodextrin, which are used for flavor and browning.
Low-Carb Boar's Head Chicken Options
For anyone following a ketogenic, paleo, or general low-carb diet, Boar's Head has several excellent options. The primary factor in determining the carbohydrate content is the flavoring or coating used during the cooking process. For instance, a simple oven-roasted chicken will have a different nutritional value than one that has been honey-glazed.
Golden Classic® Chicken Breast
- One of the most popular and carb-conscious choices is the Golden Classic® Chicken Breast.
- This product lists 0 grams of total carbohydrate per 2-ounce serving on its official nutrition label, making it a perfect zero-carb protein option for sandwiches, salads, or meal prep.
- The low-sodium version of this product also contains 0 grams of carbohydrates.
EverRoast® Oven Roasted Chicken Breast
- The EverRoast® chicken breast is another widely available product.
- A 2-ounce serving of this chicken typically contains 1 gram of total carbohydrates.
- This small amount comes from the mirepoix of carrots, celery, and onions, along with sugar and maltodextrin used in the coating to achieve its signature homestyle flavor.
Maple Glazed Honey Coat® Chicken Breast
- Glazed and sweeter varieties will naturally have a slightly higher, but still minimal, carb count.
- For example, the Maple Glazed Oven Roasted Chicken Breast contains 2 grams of total carbohydrate per 2-ounce serving, with 2 grams of sugar.
- While still very low, this should be noted by strict keto dieters.
Comparison of Boar's Head Chicken Carbs
This table compares the carbohydrate content of different Boar's Head chicken products based on a standard 2-ounce serving size, using data from the manufacturer's nutrition guides.
| Product Name | Serving Size | Total Carbs | Net Carbs | Sugars | Key Ingredients | Keto Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Classic® Chicken Breast | 2 oz (56g) | 0g | 0g | 0g | Chicken Breast, Water, Salt, Sugar, Sodium Phosphate, Dextrose | Yes |
| EverRoast® Oven Roasted Chicken Breast | 2 oz (56g) | 1g | 1g | 1g | Chicken Breast, Water, Maltodextrin, Sugar, Sodium Phosphate, Dextrose | Yes |
| Maple Glazed Oven Roasted Chicken Breast | 2 oz (56g) | 2g | 2g | 2g | Chicken Breast, Water, Maple Sugar, Honey Powder, Natural Flavors | Moderate |
| 42% Lower Sodium Golden Classic | 2 oz (56g) | 0g | 0g | 0g | Chicken Breast, Water, Salt, Sugar, Sodium Phosphate, Dextrose | Yes |
The Role of Hidden Sugars and Additives
It's important to read ingredient lists for deli meats, as flavors and coatings can add small amounts of carbohydrates. Manufacturers often use sugar, dextrose, or maltodextrin for curing, flavoring, and browning. For most consumers, these small quantities are negligible, but for strict keto or low-carb followers, it's worth noting. The official nutrition guides from Boar's Head provide the most accurate information. You can find their nutrition guide here: Boar's Head Nutrition & Wellness Guide.
The “Classic Chicken” Anomaly
Some third-party nutrition tracking sites may list a product called "Boar's Head Classic Chicken" with an alarmingly high carb count, for example, 49g. This is a common error stemming from the tracking site incorrectly assuming the product is a pre-made sandwich or wrap that includes a roll, not the deli meat alone. A pure chicken deli meat from Boar's Head will never have such a high carbohydrate content.
Conclusion
For those asking how many carbs are in Boar's Head chicken, the answer is consistently very low. Most chicken breast varieties contain 0 to 1 gram of total carbohydrates per 2-ounce serving. This makes them a safe and versatile choice for people following low-carb diets. Always check the specific product's label for the most accurate information, especially for glazed or seasoned varieties, but rest assured that most options are a great protein source with minimal to no carbs.
