What oil does El Pollo Loco fry in?
El Pollo Loco fries in soybean oil.
In detail: Fire-grilled chicken uses no frying oil (citrus marinade, open flame); tortillas use palm/soybean blend; rice/beans cooked in soybean or canola oil; Loco Fries fried in soybean oil.
Ordering at El Pollo Loco? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderEl Pollo Loco at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Soybean oil |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | C (6.1 g average per item, 141 items) |
| Is it a seed oil? | Soybean oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at El Pollo Loco
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.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Chicken Wing (Fire-Grilled) | 0.8g |
| Chicken Taco Al Carbon | 1.3g |
| Flame-Grilled Chicken Breast | 2.0g |
| Flame-Grilled Chicken Leg | 2.0g |
| Shredded Chicken Crunchy Taco | 2.2g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your El Pollo Loco order
Pick your meal, sides, sauces and drink in the app and see your seed oil total before you order. It logs to your day in one tap. Free on iPhone and Android.
Build my orderWhat oil do other chains like El Pollo Loco use?
- What oil does Chick-fil-A use? Peanut oil
- What oil does KFC use? Canola and soybean oil
- What oil does Popeyes use? Beef tallow
- What oil does Raising Cane's use? Canola and soybean oil
- What oil does Wingstop use? Soybean oil (estimated)
- What oil does Zaxby's use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Bojangles use? Soybean and canola oil
- What oil does Church's Texas Chicken use? Soybean oil (estimated)
Why the frying oil matters
Most fast-food chains fry in seed oils like soybean, canola, corn, or a blend of them, which are high in polyunsaturated fat (PUFA). A handful still use beef tallow or other stable fats, which are far lower in PUFA. The oil a kitchen fries in is the single biggest driver of how much seed oil ends up on your plate. See the full breakdown on the El Pollo Loco report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.
Frequently asked
What oil does El Pollo Loco fry in?
El Pollo Loco fries in soybean oil. In detail: Fire-grilled chicken uses no frying oil (citrus marinade, open flame); tortillas use palm/soybean blend; rice/beans cooked in soybean or canola oil; Loco Fries fried in soybean oil.
Does El Pollo Loco use seed oils?
Yes. El Pollo Loco fries in soybean oil. Its seed oil grade is C, about 6.1 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does El Pollo Loco use beef tallow?
No. El Pollo Loco fries in soybean oil, not beef tallow.
Does El Pollo Loco use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. El Pollo Loco fries in soybean oil. If you have a peanut allergy, ask the restaurant directly, because oils and suppliers can vary by location.
What is the lowest seed oil order at El Pollo Loco?
Chicken Taco Al Carbon (1.3 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Shredded Chicken Crunchy Taco (2.2 g) and Cheese Quesadilla (2.6 g).
Which El Pollo Loco item has the most seed oil?
Chips & Guacamole (Regular), at about 37.8 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.