Review: Tay’s Steamed Boneless Chicken Breast

I do give basic dietary advice as a chiropractor. In my work, I do have clients who are looking to lose weight for health related reasons. I also have clients with reduced muscle mass who are require higher protein intake. Part of my job as a chiropractor is to familiarise myself with the food products in the market, so I can provide practical advice for my clients.

Previously, I reviewed New Multi’s Steam Chicken Breast Fillet and also the New Multi Fried Boneless Chicken Thigh. Both products were not too bad but I am a fan of neither. However, I have now found a winner: Tay’s Steamed Boneless Chicken Breast. A frozen product that promises restaurant-quality convenience without the fuss. But does it deliver?

What makes Tay’s steamed chicken different?

Unlike traditional frozen chicken that requires proper cooking, Tay’s frozen chicken comes pre-cooked and is almost ready to eat. All you need is to heat it up. It is as simple as tossing it into the microwave for a couple of minutes.

The chicken is fat-less, boneless. It is pre-portioned for single-meal servings of 115g that gives you a decent 25.4g of protein per piece. This is much higher than New Multi’s portion size of 67g (with only 15.3g of protein).

This positioning is quite clever. It targeting health-conscious Singaporeans who prioritise convenience without compromising nutrition. The product clearly caters to the meal prep community, busy professionals, and fitness enthusiasts who need quick protein solutions.

Nutrition profile of chicken breast

From a nutritional standpoint, Tay’s boneless chicken does check all the important boxes:

• High protein content with minimal fat
• Pre-cooked convenience reduces preparation barriers
• Portion control built into the product design
• Versatile application across different meal types

For clients who struggle to meet protein targets due to time constraints or cooking limitations, this can be a healthier food option. No more grabbing a packet of biscuits or settling for carb-heavy hawker meals!

Thicker fillet and not soggy

The thing I like most about Tay’s frozen chicken breast is that it holds is shape well. It doesn’t turn soggy or flimsy with cooking. This is because the patty is on the thicker side and gives an eating experience that is closer to eating chicken breast.

Don’t get me wrong though. The texture is not tough at all. When prepared according to the microwave directions, high for 3.5 minutes, it comes out warm, juicy, tender, and with a firm bite.

The texture holds even when I add them to any noodle soup!

This is probably the biggest win for me. New Muti’s frozen chicken breast is indeed a very similar product at an almost similar price point. However, it’s just too soft for me to enjoy eating it. I prefer foods with a bite to them.

Lightly seasoned chicken breasts

New Multi’s chicken breast is very pepper forward and significantly saltier. It’s definitely within tolerance but I would have preferred a less salty chicken breast. This is where, Tay’s, outperform New Multi.

Of course I get that taste preference is incredibly subjective. I may prefer the more “bland” chicken breast from Tay’s while others may prefer the saltier version from New Multi. It does come to individual preference.

Interesting sodium content for both brands are comparable. For every 100g, New Multi has 399 mg of sodium while Tay’s contains 386 mg. Pretty comparable if you asked me.

New Multi’s mysterious soup powder

The difference in saltiness, in my opinion, may be from the “soup powder” found in New Multi’s frozen chicken breast. I think the “soup powder” taste is comparable to seasoning packs found in instant noodles such as Shin Ramyun. This ingredient is missing from Tay’s version.

I am also guessing “soup powder” contains MSG or monosodium glutamate in it. Unlike some brands that may choose to list the individual ingredients of vague ingredients in parenthesis (brackets), New Multi did not choose to do so.

Using MSG can help reduce sodium content cos it literally has less sodium than salt. The use of MSG can reduce sodium content by up to 50%! Since both New Multi and Tay’s have similar sodium content, an increase use of MSG could potentially explain for the much saltier taste in New Multi’s frozen chicken.

Larger serving size may be an inconvenience

If you are choosing to use frozen cooked chicken breast to supplement your existing protein intake, a 115g serving size may be too large for some. It is also hard to cut them into smaller serving sizes since they come frozen.

For days that I would like to consume more protein, I find myself in a dilemma. I have to choose between either 115g of chicken or 230g of chicken. I don’t have the option of eating 1.5 chicken fillet. This, in my opinion, can be a drawback especially for people with smaller appetite or meal sizes.

Tay’s Steamed Boneless Chicken Breast can be hard to find

I only manage to try this because I could combine it with my other RedMart order. RedMart does stock them, which would be convenient if you do online groceries. I, however, rarely buy my groceries online.

The two supermarkets near me (FairPrice and Sheng Siong) both did not carry Tay’s steamed chicken. I do regularly check the frozen food aisle at Sheng Siong and I am sure they don’t stock them. As for FairPrice, I have never seen it. They do stock Tay’s products on their online store but they do not carry the 1.15kg frozen chicken breast.

While it is an convenient food, that is conveniently available on platforms such as RedMart, they may not be stocked at your nearest supermarket.

Final Verdict

Tay’s Steamed Boneless Chicken Breast succeeds where many convenience proteins fail. It doesn’t sacrifice quality and texture for convenience. The texture remains pleasant with a firm bite, the nutritional profile is solid, and the versatility genuinely supports various dietary approaches.

For Singapore’s fast-paced lifestyle, it can be difficult to find time to meal prep from scratch. Having a quality protein that can be ready-to-eat in just 3.5 minutes can be a gamechanger. If you’re someone who struggles to get adequate protein, this product is for you.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely, particularly for busy individuals who prioritise nutrition but lack time for extensive meal preparation. It’s a practical solution to a common problem in modern Singapore living.