Hey there foodies! Today I’m gonna spill the beans about something that’s been on my mind lately. You know how we sometimes trick ourselves into thinking we’re making healthy choices when we order salads at restaurants? Well, I recently discovered something that totally blew my mind about Applebee’s Oriental Crispy Chicken Salad with Oriental Vinaigrette, and I just had to share it with you all.
The Calorie Bomb You Didn’t Expect
Let’s cut straight to the chase – Applebee’s Oriental Crispy Chicken Salad with Oriental Vinaigrette contains a whopping 1440-1441 calories per serving! Yes, you read that right. Nearly 1500 calories in a single salad. That’s practically your entire day’s worth of calories in one meal that has the word “salad” in it.
When I first saw this number, I actually had to double-check because I couldn’t believe my eyes. But both CalorieKing and FastFoodNutrition.org confirm this shocking figure.
Breaking Down the Nutritional Facts
Let me break down the complete nutritional profile for you:
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 1440-1441 | – |
| Calories from Fat | 873 | – |
| Total Fat | 97g | 149% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | – |
| Cholesterol | 50mg | 17% |
| Sodium | 1640mg | 68% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 110g | 37% |
| Dietary Fiber | 11g | 44% |
| Sugars | 37g | – |
| Protein | 36g | 72% |
*Based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet
I was honestly shocked to see that this salad contains 97 grams of fat – that’s 149% of your recommended daily value! And the sodium content? 1640mg or 68% of what you should consume in an entire day
What Makes This Salad So Calorie-Dense?
So what exactly is in this deceptively high-calorie salad? While it sounds healthy with “chicken” and “salad” in the name, several factors contribute to its sky-high calorie count:
- The crispy chicken – Unlike grilled chicken, the crispy (read: fried) chicken adds significant calories and fat
- The Oriental vinaigrette – This dressing is likely oil-heavy and sweetened
- Additional toppings – Things like crispy noodles, almonds, and other add-ons rack up the calories quickly
How Long Would It Take to Burn Off?
According to CalorieKing, to burn off the 1440 calories in this salad, you would need to:
- Swim for 120 minutes
- Jog for 165 minutes
- Cycle for 220 minutes
- Walk for 401 minutes (that’s over 6.5 hours of walking!)
FastFoodNutrition.org gives slightly different figures, stating you’d need to:
- Run for 126 minutes
- Walk for 206 minutes
Either way, we’re talking about a LOT of exercise to work off just one meal!
Weight Watchers Points
For those of you following Weight Watchers, here’s the breakdown:
- 47 Weight Watchers Freestyle Points
- 49 WW SmartPoints
- 39 WW PointsPlus
That’s a huge chunk of your daily points allocation!
What Do People Think?
According to FastFoodNutrition.org’s user surveys:
- Only 33% of voters think this salad is healthy
- However, 100% of voters think it tastes good
This perfectly illustrates the dilemma – it’s tasty but definitely not a “healthy option” despite being a salad.
How This Compares to Other Fast Food Items
To put this in perspective, let’s compare the calorie count of this salad to some notoriously calorie-dense fast food items:
- Applebee’s Oriental Crispy Chicken Salad: 1440 calories
- McDonald’s Big Mac: about 550 calories
- Large McDonald’s French Fries: about 490 calories
That means this single salad has MORE calories than a Big Mac and large fries combined! Mind-blowing, right?
Calorie Breakdown
According to FastFoodNutrition.org, most of the calories in this salad (60%) come from fat. That’s a pretty significant portion and explains why the calorie count is so high despite it being a “salad.”
Healthier Alternatives
If you’re craving Applebee’s but want something lighter, consider these modifications:
- Ask for grilled chicken instead of crispy – This could save you hundreds of calories
- Request the dressing on the side – Use it sparingly or skip it altogether
- Skip the crispy noodles and other high-calorie toppings
- Share the salad with a friend – Split the calories and the cost!
My Personal Take
I’ve gotta be honest with y’all – I’ve ordered this salad in the past thinking I was making a healthier choice. I mean, it has “salad” in the name, so it must be good for me, right? WRONG. I was practically eating the caloric equivalent of an entire day’s worth of food in one sitting without even realizing it.
This discovery has really opened my eyes to how misleading restaurant menus can be. Just because something is called a “salad” doesn’t automatically make it healthy. The preparation method, dressings, and toppings can turn a potentially nutritious dish into a calorie bomb.
Why This Matters
Understanding the true nutritional content of restaurant meals is super important for anyone trying to:
- Lose weight
- Maintain weight
- Make informed dietary choices
- Manage health conditions like diabetes or heart disease
I’m not saying you should never enjoy this salad – it’s clearly tasty based on those customer ratings! But you should definitely go in with your eyes wide open about what you’re consuming.
The Bigger Picture: Restaurant Salads
This isn’t just an Applebee’s issue. Many restaurant salads are surprisingly high in calories due to:
- Generous portion sizes
- Calorie-dense dressings
- Fried components (like crispy chicken)
- Added cheese, croutons, nuts, and other high-calorie toppings
- Sweet glazes and sauces
Tips for Healthier Restaurant Salad Choices
If you’re dining out and want a genuinely healthy salad, keep these tips in mind:
- Choose grilled protein options over crispy/fried
- Ask for dressing on the side
- Skip or reduce high-calorie toppings
- Consider a half portion if available
- Look for menu items with calorie counts listed
- Don’t assume “salad” means “low-calorie”
Final Thoughts
The Applebee’s Oriental Crispy Chicken Salad with Oriental Vinaigrette is definitely a tasty treat, but it’s important to recognize it for what it is – an indulgence rather than a health food. At 1440 calories with 97g of fat, it’s in the same league as many desserts and burger combinations.
And hey, if you do decide to indulge in this salad, maybe plan for a lighter breakfast and dinner that day, or share it with a friend. Life’s all about balance, right?
Have you ever been surprised by the calorie count in a restaurant meal you thought was healthy? Drop me a comment below – I’d love to hear your experiences!
Until next time, happy (and informed) eating!
P.S. Always remember that occasional indulgences are part of a balanced lifestyle. No need to feel guilty if you enjoy this salad sometimes – just be aware of what you’re consuming so you can make adjustments elsewhere if needed.
Sources
- CalorieKing nutritional database
- FastFoodNutrition.org
- Applebee’s official menu information
Disclaimer: Nutritional information may vary slightly depending on the source and any menu changes by Applebee’s. The information in this article is based on data available as of September 2025.
Applebee’s Oriental Crispy Chicken Chicken Salad with Oriental Vinaigrette Nutrition Facts
*All percent daily value figures are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.Nutritional information source:
There are 1441 calories in a Oriental Crispy Chicken Chicken Salad with Oriental Vinaigrette from Applebees. Most of those calories come from fat (60%).
To burn the 1441 calories in a Oriental Crispy Chicken Chicken Salad with Oriental Vinaigrette, you would have to run for 126 minutes or walk for 206 minutes. — Advertisement. Content continues below — Popular Restaurants
According to our website visitors, a Oriental Crispy Chicken Chicken Salad with Oriental Vinaigrette is not a healthy and nutritious option from Applebees, with only 33% 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 Oriental Crispy Chicken Chicken Salad with Oriental Vinaigrette is healthy or not.
How to make APPLEBEE’S | Asian Chicken Salad
FAQ
How many calories are in Applebee’s Oriental chicken salad?
The nutrition calculations for Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad w/grilled chicken include 360 calories of Mayonnaise and 192 calories of Honey. Each serving contains an additional 103 calories of Chicken Breast (cooked, no skin, roasted, 3 ounces).
What is in Applebee’s Oriental salad with oriental dressing?
Here is a summary of the nutrition facts in Applebee’s Oriental Salad with Oriental Dressing, one garlic buttery breadstick, and chicken. Serving is measured as one salad with dressing, one breadstick and choice of protein. Provided for informational purposes only. Consult with your physician for dietary or healthcare advice.
Is Oriental salad with chicken high in fat?
The amount of fat in the Oriental Salad with Chicken, regardless of which type of chicken is ordered, is considered high. For reference, Dietary Guidelines for Americans (published by the US Department of Health and Human Services) recommends that adults limit calories from saturated fat to less than 10% of total calories.
How many calories are in a grilled chicken salad?
For the lower calorie option, select the grilled chicken, which contains 1,440 total calories. An Oriental Salad with crispy chicken has 120 more calories for 1,560 total calories. Read this reference guide for detailed information about the nutritional value, calories, ingredients, and allergens in this hearty salad from Applebee’s Grill & Bar.
How many calories are in a salad with crispy chicken?
Serving is measured as one salad with dressing and one breadstick. Over half of the total calories are derived from dietary fat. The salad with crispy chicken contains about 940 calories from total fat, which is 60% of the total calories. Saturated fat contributes approximately ten percent of the calories.
Is Applebee’s salad gluten free?
Applebee’s Oriental Salad meal is made with ingredients that contain gluten, milk, sesame, soy, sulfites, tree nuts, wheat. The salad made with crispy chicken also contains egg. Review the following table for Applebee’s salad menu prices and summary nutrition facts.
How many calories are in Applebee’s Oriental Crispy chicken salad?
Why is applebees oriental chicken salad so high in calories?
How many calories are in an oriental chicken salad?
Calories in Oriental chicken salad vary significantly, but they often range from approximately 550 calories for a generic version to over 1500 calories for a restaurant version like the full Applebee’s crispy chicken salad, with the high calorie count coming from fried components, almonds, and sugary dressings. A grilled chicken version without the fried noodles and with lighter dressing can be significantly lower in calories, but the ingredients and preparation method greatly influence the final calorie count.
How many calories are in Applebee’s oriental dressing?
1 serving of applebee’s oriental dressing contains 349 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 64% carbs, 35% fat, and 1% protein. This is a good source of vitamin k (27% of your Daily Value).