Amy’s Kitchen’s Gluten-Free Frozen Chili Relleno Bowl Lands on Better Homes & Gardens’ List
Some vegetarian frozen meals fall short on protein content, yet Amy’s Kitchen’s Gluten-Free Chili Relleno Bowl defies expectations. Better Homes & Gardens recently recognized this Mexican-inspired entree among its top high-protein frozen meals, praising its 17 grams of protein per serving.
Food writer Karla Walsh spent two weeks meticulously testing frozen meals from various retailers, including Target, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Natural Grocers. Her criteria focused on meals containing at least 17 grams of protein, representing 20% of the daily protein requirements for an average adult. Beyond protein content, Walsh evaluated each meal’s vegetable components, ingredient transparency, and overall nutritional profile.
What Goes Into Amy’s Kitchen’s Gluten-Free Chili Relleno Bowl?
The chile relleno, traditionally a poblano pepper stuffed with cheese, battered, and fried, has been a beloved staple of Mexican cuisine since the 16th century. Originating in the city of Puebla, the dish’s name literally means “stuffed chile” in Spanish, reflecting its straightforward yet satisfying preparation. Amy’s Kitchen reimagines this classic comfort food in bowl form, maintaining the essential flavors while adapting it for modern convenience and dietary needs.
“We chop fire roasted poblano chiles and then add them to organic zucchini, corn, rice, and beans, and generously top it all with Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses,” amys.com states. “It’s just a little spice and a lot of comfort.”
Focusing on putting a touch of love into every meal is something that has served Amy’s Kitchen well since the brand launched in 1987.
“We’ve always started from the very first day with this premise that every meal we serve should be good enough, taste good enough that we would serve it to our closest friends and family,” Amy’s Kitchen’s President Paul Schiefer says. “We use real herbs and spices, we saute onions, we saute garlic, we build roux. And we really make food, again, like you would expect to see it being made in a cook or a restaurant or even a home kitchen.”
A Competitive Field
Amy’s Kitchen earned its Better Home & Gardens spot among impressive company. Amy’s bowl distinguished itself by matching the protein content of other plant-based contenders like Sweet Earth’s Veggie Lo Mein while maintaining its commitment to gluten-free ingredients.
The inclusion of Amy’s Chili Relleno Bowl reflects broader consumer trends identified by Alyssa Pike, senior manager of nutrition communications at International Food Information Council. “We’ve seen an uptick in interest around protein-rich diets,” Pike reported in the IFIC’s January 2024 Food and Beverage Trends report. “Consumers are interested in boosting this nutrient any way they can — even the unconventional.” Amy’s Kitchen meets this demand while delivering on other key factors Walsh considered essential: diverse cuisine representation, vegetable content, and clean ingredient listings.
Meeting Modern Dietary Needs
Walsh’s personal experience — grabbing quick snacks instead of proper meals during busy workdays — mirrors many consumers’ challenges with maintaining balanced nutrition. Amy’s Chili Relleno Bowl addresses this common dilemma by offering a satisfying, protein-rich meal ready in minutes without sacrificing dietary restrictions or taste preferences.
This recognition from Better Homes & Gardens validates Amy’s Kitchen’s commitment to creating accessible, nutritious frozen meals. Through thoughtful ingredient selection and careful attention to dietary restrictions, Amy’s Kitchen proves that convenient, high-protein options can accommodate various dietary preferences while maintaining culinary appeal.
But Walsh isn’t the only one who reveres Amy’s Gluten-Free Frozen Chili Relleno Bowl. On target.com, one Target shopper wrote, “I love this chili relleno bowl for an easy gluten-free dinner. It is just soooo good! Eat with tortilla chips and you will be full. YUM!” Imogen, another shopper, said, “Hands down my favorite Amys meal. It’s not spicy, it has a perfect blend of all the ingredients. Every other meal I grew tired of over time but not this one. I still eat it almost every weeknight for dinner!”
