El Pollo Loco Intros 5 Meals Under 500 Calories

Mexican-style chicken casual dining restaurant El Pollo Loco is found in roughly 400 locations in California, Texas, Utah, Nevada and Arizona. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, diners in those areas will have five new options to choose from on the restaurant's menu, five meals that are each under 500 total calories.

El Pollo Loco's press release describes each of the five meals:

The Mango Grilled Tostada features hand-sliced avocado, seasoned black beans, freshly chopped lettuce blend, citrus marinated, fire-grilled chicken breast, and sweet mango salsa all wrapped in a warm artisan whole wheat tortilla and made to order.

The Black Bean Bowl includes slow-simmered, authentically seasoned black beans, fresh steamed broccoli florets, citrus marinated, fire-grilled chicken breast, fresh pico de gallo salsa and hand-sliced avocado all topped with cotija cheese.

The Avocado Salad features slow-simmered authentically seasoned black beans, citrus marinated, fire-grilled chicken breast, hand-sliced fresh avocado, steamed broccoli florets, handmade pico de gallo salsa, all topped with cotija cheese and a light creamy dressing.

The Avocado Burrito contains citrus marinated, fire-grilled chicken breast, crispy cabbage, slow-simmered seasoned black beans, hand-sliced avocado and two varieties of fresh salsa: poblano and pico de gallo all wrapped in a fresh, artisan whole wheat tortilla and grilled to order at the restaurant.

The Mango Taco Plate features citrus marinated, fire-grilled chicken breast, crispy green cabbage, handmade pico de gallo salsa and mango salsa, and topped with fresh cilantro all wrapped in a warm white corn tortilla and served with a side salad of freshly chopped lettuce, slow-simmered seasoned black beans, hand-sliced avocados, cotija cheese and dressed with a light creamy salad dressing.

These look, and sound, pretty interesting. I'm looking forward to giving them a try. If you have a chance to try one before we do, let us know what you think.

Photo credit: PRNewsFoto/El Pollo Loco