El Pollo Regio Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, El Pollo Regio cooks with: chicken fat (chargrilled); lard/vegetable oil blend for fried sides and tortillas. Across the 76 menu items we analyzed, it averages 5.0g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
Safest Orders at El Pollo Regio
Learn this once: a salad with grilled protein and the dressing left off is nearly always the lowest seed oil order anywhere. So the list below sticks to real meals, salads included, never just a water.
Cleanest full order: Burger Patty Only (No Bun) + Water Bottle, 2.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Habanero and Onions | 0.0g |
| Pico De Gallo | 0.0g |
| Plantains | 2.0g |
| 5 Flour Tortillas | 2.0g |
| Burger Patty Only (No Bun) | 2.0g |
What to Avoid at El Pollo Regio
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Grilled Chicken 16 PC | 16.0g |
| Chicken Tenders 4 PC | 14.0g |
| Chicken Tenders (3 pc) | 12.0g |
| Chicken Flautas | 12.0g |
| Grilled Chicken 12 PC | 12.0g |
Frequently asked
Does El Pollo Regio use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, El Pollo Regio cooks with: chicken fat (chargrilled); lard/vegetable oil blend for fried sides and tortillas. Across the 76 menu items we analyzed, it averages 5.0g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
What oil does El Pollo Regio cook with?
Our research indicates: chicken fat (chargrilled); lard/vegetable oil blend for fried sides and tortillas. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does El Pollo Regio use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates El Pollo Regio cooks with chicken fat (chargrilled); lard/vegetable oil blend for fried sides and tortillas, not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is El Pollo Regio seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates El Pollo Regio cooks with chicken fat (chargrilled); lard/vegetable oil blend for fried sides and tortillas, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at El Pollo Regio?
Habanero and Onions is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at El Pollo Regio, at an estimated 0.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at El Pollo Regio?
Grilled Chicken 16 PC is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at El Pollo Regio, at an estimated 16.0g PUFA. Fried items and creamy, mayo-based sauces are usually the heaviest.
What are seed oils?
Seed oils — canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, and similar vegetable oils — are extracted from seeds using high heat and chemical solvents. They are very high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which are unstable at cooking temperatures and can oxidize easily. Many health-conscious eaters choose to minimize seed oils and prefer foods cooked in beef tallow, butter, coconut oil, or olive oil instead. This page shows estimated PUFA grams per menu item to help you make more informed choices. These are estimates — actual values vary by preparation and location. Curious why people avoid them? Read the evidence.
Compare other chains
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See where El Pollo Regio lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch. Wondering about a specific dish instead? The Is It Seed Oil food guide answers it for 200+ everyday foods, and the distributor oils page covers what independent restaurants fry in.