Ever wondered just how many calories are hiding in that warm, comforting slice of heaven known as Cracker Barrel’s Chicken Pot Pie? I’ve been curious too, and after doing some serious research, I’m ready to share everything you need to know about this classic comfort food. Whether you’re counting calories or just want to know what you’re putting in your body, this guide will give you the full scoop!
What’s the Real Calorie Count in Cracker Barrel’s Chicken Pot Pie?
According to Cracker Barrel’s official nutrition information, their Chicken Pot Pie without sides contains 960 calories. This is for the standard serving size of the pot pie alone, not including any additional sides that might come with your meal.
This classic Sunday menu item packs quite a punch in terms of calories, accounting for about 48% of a standard 2,000-calorie daily diet. But calories don’t tell the whole story – let’s dive deeper into what makes up this comfort food favorite.
Complete Nutritional Breakdown
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what you’re actually consuming when you order that chicken pot pie
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 960 | 48% |
| Total Fat | 55g | 85% |
| Saturated Fat | 29g | 145% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | – |
| Cholesterol | 105mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 2,740mg | 114% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 82g | 27% |
| Dietary Fiber | 7g | 28% |
| Sugars | 4g | – |
| Protein | 35g | – |
*Based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet
As you can see, this dish is particularly high in saturated fat and sodium. The saturated fat content is especially noteworthy at 145% of your recommended daily value! And that sodium level – yikes! At 114% of your daily recommended intake, it’s definitely something to be mindful of if you’re watching your salt intake.
How Long Would It Take to Burn Off These Calories?
If you’re wondering how much exercise it would take to burn off that Chicken Pot Pie, here’s a breakdown
- Swimming: 80 minutes
- Jogging: 110 minutes
- Cycling: 147 minutes
- Walking: 267 minutes (that’s over 4 hours!)
These estimates are based on a 35-year-old female who is 5’7″ tall and weighs 144 lbs. Your actual calorie burn might vary depending on your age, weight, gender, and fitness level.
Where Do All These Calories Come From?
The calorie breakdown of the Chicken Pot Pie shows
- Fat: Approximately 51% of calories (55g × 9 calories per gram)
- Carbohydrates: About 34% of calories (82g × 4 calories per gram)
- Protein: Roughly 15% of calories (35g × 4 calories per gram)
This means that more than half of the calories in this dish come from fat, primarily from the buttery crust and creamy filling that gives the pot pie its rich, comforting flavor.
Is It a Healthy Choice?
While I wouldn’t exactly call Cracker Barrel’s Chicken Pot Pie a health food, it does have some nutritional benefits:
Pros:
- Good source of protein (35g)
- Contains dietary fiber (7g)
- Low in sugar (4g)
Cons:
- Very high in saturated fat (29g)
- Exceeds daily recommended sodium intake (2,740mg)
- High calorie content for a single dish (960 calories)
If you’re on a diet or watching your fat and sodium intake, this might not be the best choice. However, as an occasional treat, it can certainly fit into a balanced diet if you’re mindful of your other food choices that day.
How Does It Compare to Other Menu Items?
If you’re curious about how the Chicken Pot Pie stacks up against other Cracker Barrel menu items, here’s a comparison:
- Meatloaf: 450 calories, 29g fat, 1,280mg sodium
- Country Fried Steak with gravy: 600 calories, 28g fat, 1,420mg sodium
- Chicken n’ Dumplins: 360 calories, 8g fat, 1,720mg sodium
- Homestyle Chicken: 1,060 calories, 58g fat, 2,740mg sodium
The Chicken Pot Pie (960 calories) falls somewhere in the middle in terms of calories, but is definitely on the higher end for sodium content.
Making It Healthier
If you’re craving that Chicken Pot Pie but want to make it a bit more balanced, here are some tips:
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Share it – Split the pot pie with someone else and order a healthy side like steamed broccoli (35 calories) or fresh fruit (60 calories).
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Balance your day – If you know you’re going to Cracker Barrel for dinner, make healthier choices for breakfast and lunch.
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Drink water – Skip the sweet tea or soda and stick with water to avoid adding empty calories to your meal.
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Add veggies – Order a side of steamed vegetables to add more nutrients and fiber to your meal without adding too many calories.
Why We Still Love It Despite the Calories
Despite the high calorie count, there’s a reason why Cracker Barrel’s Chicken Pot Pie remains a fan favorite. The combination of a flaky, buttery crust and creamy chicken filling with vegetables creates that perfect comfort food experience that’s hard to resist.
When you’re having a rough day or just need something warming and familiar, sometimes counting calories takes a back seat to emotional nourishment. And that’s okay! Food isn’t just about nutrition – it’s also about enjoyment, comfort, and sometimes, nostalgia.
Interesting Facts About Cracker Barrel’s Chicken Pot Pie
- It’s only available on Sundays as part of their rotating daily specials
- The pot pie features a homestyle preparation with vegetables mixed into a creamy sauce
- It’s one of the higher sodium items on their menu
- Despite its calorie content, it provides 35g of protein – which is pretty significant!
Should You Order It?
The decision to order Cracker Barrel’s Chicken Pot Pie really comes down to your personal health goals and dietary needs. Here’s my advice:
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If you’re strictly counting calories or on a low-sodium diet, you might want to choose something lighter from the menu.
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If you’re looking for an occasional indulgence and aren’t too concerned about one meal’s impact on your diet, go ahead and enjoy!
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If you have specific health concerns like high blood pressure or heart disease, the high sodium and saturated fat content might make this a “special occasion only” type of dish.
The Bottom Line
At 960 calories, Cracker Barrel’s Chicken Pot Pie without sides is definitely an indulgent choice. With 55g of fat (29g saturated) and 2,740mg of sodium, it’s not something you’d want to eat regularly if you’re health-conscious.
However, as an occasional treat, it can certainly be enjoyed as part of a balanced lifestyle. After all, food is meant to be enjoyed, and sometimes a warm, comforting pot pie is exactly what the soul needs – even if your calorie counter disagrees!
Just remember, one meal doesn’t define your overall diet. If you indulge in the Chicken Pot Pie today, maybe opt for lighter choices tomorrow. Balance is key!
Final Thoughts
I don’t know about you, but I still love Cracker Barrel’s Chicken Pot Pie despite knowing its nutritional content. There’s something about that combination of flaky crust and creamy chicken filling that just hits the spot on a chilly day.
If you’re planning to visit Cracker Barrel on a Sunday, now you have all the information you need to make an informed choice about whether to indulge in their famous Chicken Pot Pie. And if you do decide to order it, you can enjoy every bite knowing exactly what you’re consuming.
What’s your favorite Cracker Barrel dish? Do you think the calories in their Chicken Pot Pie are worth the indulgence? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Cracker Barrel Chicken Pot Pie Nutrition Facts
*All percent daily value figures are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.Nutritional information source:
There are 961 calories in a Chicken Pot Pie from Cracker Barrel. Most of those calories come from fat (51%) and carbohydrates (34%).
To burn the 961 calories in a Chicken Pot Pie, you would have to run for 84 minutes or walk for 137 minutes. — Advertisement. Content continues below — Popular Restaurants
According to our website visitors, a Chicken Pot Pie is not a healthy and nutritious option from Cracker Barrel, with only 29% of voters finding it to be healthy.
Let us know what you think! Review the nutrition facts above and then vote on whether you think a Chicken Pot Pie is healthy or not.
CHICKEN POT PIE Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
FAQ
How many calories in Cracker Barrel Old Country Store lunch/dinner without sides?
How long would it take to burn off 960 Calories of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Lunch/Dinner, Chicken Pot Pie without sides? Where do the calories in Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Lunch/Dinner, Chicken Pot Pie without sides come from?
Is Cracker Barrel old country store healthy?
Voted a healthy and tasty option. Nutrition facts for the full Cracker Barrel Old Country Store menu, including calories, carbs, sodium and Weight Watchers points.
Does Cracker Barrel serve chicken pot pie?
Cracker Barrel now offers the Chicken Pot Pie, which features slow-simmered chicken, potatoes, peas, carrots, celery and onions in a creamy sauce topped with a signature flaky pastry crust, every day in-store as well as for curbside pickup or delivery at crackerbarrel.com.
Does Cracker Barrel have gluten?
On the heavier side, the Country Fried Steak with Gravy delivers 600 calories, 33g fat, 58g carbs, and 22g protein. If you’re avoiding gluten, choices like the Fresh Fruit Bowl and Bacon or Turkey Sausage don’t contain gluten ingredients, but cross-contact is possible in the kitchen. Also, check the Cracker Barrel’s main menu 2025.
Does Cracker Barrel have food allergies?
Cracker Barrel is known for its homestyle cooking, but if you’re keeping an eye on nutrition or have food allergies, you need the details before ordering. Their menu includes a mix of hearty and light options, with a full Nutrition & Allergen Guide available for reference.
Is Cracker Barrel a trademark?
n’ Burger Platters9“Grandpa’s Country Fried Breakfast,” “The Cracker Barrel’s Country Boy Breakfast,” “Momma’s French Toast Breakfast,” “Momma’s Pancake Breakfast,” and “Cracker Barrel,” are service marks/trademarks of CBOCS Properties, Inc. ©2 24 CBOCS Properties, Inc. The Coca-Cola® trademark is being used with the permission
How many calories are in a Cracker Barrel chicken pot pie?
A serving of the Cracker Barrel Chicken Pot Pie contains 960 calories, 55g of total fat, 82g of carbohydrates, and 35g of protein. These nutritional values are for the standard serving size of the Sunday Chicken Pot Pie and do not include any additional sides.
Why is chicken pot pie so high in calories?
A significant amount of the calories and fat in traditional chicken pot pie come from the crust. Only using crust on the top of the pies made a big difference nutritionally. For this recipe, I used a ready-to-use refrigerated pie crust rather than making my own.
How many calories are in a store-bought chicken pot pie?
| Brand | Calories Per 200 g Serving |
|---|---|
| Aunt Ethel’s | 405 |
| Amy’s Kitchen | 413 |
| Marie Callender’s | 440 |
| Boston Market | 495 |
Is a chicken pot pie healthy or unhealthy?
Chicken pot pie isn’t inherently bad, but traditionally prepared versions can be unhealthy due to high levels of calories, saturated fat, and sodium, often found in the pastry crust and creamy filling. Frozen and processed options tend to be particularly high in these unhealthy components, contributing to weight gain, high blood pressure, and increased heart disease risk. However, you can enjoy a healthier chicken pot pie by making it at home with lean protein, fresh vegetables, a whole-wheat or less-fat crust, and reducing salt and butter.