How Many Calories Are in Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Nuggets Without Dipping Sauce? The Complete Nutritional Breakdown

Ever found yourself in the Chick-fil-A drive-thru line, stomach growling, but also trying to make a healthier choice? I’ve been there! As someone who loves fast food but also tries to watch what I eat, I’ve done deep research into one of my favorite Chick-fil-A options: their grilled chicken nuggets.

Today, I’m gonna break down exactly how many calories are in Chick-fil-A grilled chicken nuggets (without any dipping sauce), plus all the other nutritional info you might wanna know.

The Quick Answer: Calories in Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets

Let’s get straight to the point According to the most recent nutritional information from Chick-fil-A’s official website

• 5-count Grilled Nuggets: 80 calories
• 8-count Grilled Nuggets: 130 calories
• 12-count Grilled Nuggets: 200 calories

This makes them one of the lowest-calorie protein options on any fast food menu. Pretty impressive right?

Complete Nutritional Breakdown of Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets

But calories aren’t everything! Here’s the full nutritional profile for each serving size:

5-count Grilled Nuggets (59g)

• Calories: 80
• Total Fat: 2g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 55mg
• Sodium: 270mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 1g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 0g
• Protein: 16g

8-count Grilled Nuggets (95g)

• Calories: 130
• Total Fat: 3g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 85mg
• Sodium: 440mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 1g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 1g
• Protein: 25g

12-count Grilled Nuggets (142g)

• Calories: 200
• Total Fat: 4.5g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 130mg
• Sodium: 660mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 2g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 1g
• Protein: 38g

Why Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets Are a Good Choice

I’ve been trying to cut back on fried foods, and these grilled nuggets have become my go-to. Here’s why they’re actually a pretty solid choice for anyone watching their calories or macros:

1. High protein, low calories – You get a ton of protein for very few calories
2. Very low carb – With only 1-2g of carbs, they’re perfect for low-carb or keto diets
3. Low fat content – Much less fat than the fried versions
4. No breading – Avoiding the extra carbs and calories from breading
5. No sugar – Almost no sugar content

How Do They Compare to Regular Chick-fil-A Nuggets?

Curious how the grilled nuggets stack up against their fried counterparts? Let’s compare the 8-count servings

As you can see, the grilled version has about half the calories and significantly less fat, carbs, and sodium. The protein amount is almost the same!

Calorie Burning Time

For perspective, here’s how long it would take to burn off the calories in a 5-count (80 calories) of grilled nuggets:

• Swimming: 7 minutes
• Jogging: 9 minutes
• Cycling: 12 minutes
• Walking: 22 minutes

Not bad at all compared to other fast food options!

What About Allergens?

For those with dietary restrictions, it’s important to note that Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets:

• Do not contain milk, eggs, wheat, or sesame (unlike their breaded nuggets)
• Are cooked in canola oil, not peanut oil like the fried items
• May still be prepared in kitchens where allergens are present

Dipping Sauces Will Add Calories!

Remember, we’re talking about the nuggets WITHOUT dipping sauce. Adding sauce will increase the calorie count. Here’s how much various Chick-fil-A sauces would add:

• Chick-fil-A Sauce: +140 calories
• Garden Herb Ranch: +100 calories
• Polynesian Sauce: +110 calories
• Honey Mustard: +50 calories
• Barbeque Sauce: +45 calories
• Sweet & Spicy Sriracha: +45 calories
• Zesty Buffalo: +25 calories

Making It a Meal

If you’re looking to make a complete meal that’s still relatively low-calorie, here are some good sides to pair with your grilled nuggets:

• Kale Crunch Side (120 calories)
• Small Fruit Cup (60 calories)
• Side Salad (470 calories) – but be careful with dressing!

Are They Really Healthy?

While “healthy” is subjective, Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets are definitely one of the healthier fast food options available. The main thing to watch is the sodium content, which is still pretty high (as with most restaurant food).

But when you consider the high protein content and low calories/fat/carbs, they’re a solid choice for anyone trying to eat better while still enjoying fast food.

My Personal Experience

I’ve been ordering these nuggets for years when I’m trying to stick to my fitness goals but still want fast food. I usually get the 12-count with a side salad and light dressing. It keeps me full for hours and doesn’t leave me with that heavy, greasy feeling that fried food often does.

One thing I’ve noticed is that they can be a bit dry sometimes. That’s where the temptation for dipping sauce comes in! My compromise is to use just a tiny bit of sauce for flavor without adding too many calories.

FAQs About Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets Calories

How many calories are in 5 Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets?

There are 80 calories in a 5-count of Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets.

Are Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets keto-friendly?

Yes! With only 1g of carbs per 8-count serving, they’re very keto-friendly.

How much protein is in Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets?

An 8-count serving contains 25g of protein.

Are Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets gluten-free?

Yes, the grilled nuggets don’t contain wheat or gluten ingredients, but they are prepared in kitchens where gluten is present.

Do Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets have less sodium than regular nuggets?

Yes, significantly. An 8-count of grilled nuggets has 440mg of sodium compared to 1,210mg in regular nuggets.

Final Thoughts

Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets are one of those rare fast food items that taste good AND won’t derail your nutrition goals. At just 80 calories for a 5-count, they’re a protein-packed option that works for various diets.

Just remember – adding dipping sauce will increase the calories, so use sparingly if you’re counting calories. And of course, pairing them with fries and a milkshake would kinda defeat the purpose of choosing the grilled option in the first place!

So next time you’re stuck in that drive-thru line wondering what to order, the grilled nuggets are a solid choice for keeping your fast food fix relatively healthy.

Have you tried Chick-fil-A’s grilled nuggets? What do you usually pair them with? I’d love to hear your thoughts and favorite combinations!