Are you craving a quick bite from Arby’s but worried about your calorie intake? I totally get it! As someone who loves fast food but tries to keep track of my nutrition, I’ve done some digging into one of Arby’s popular menu items – the Chicken Tender ‘n Cheese Slider. Let’s break down exactly what you’re getting when you order this tasty little sandwich.
The Calorie Count: What’s the Real Number?
There seems to be some disagreement about the exact calorie count of this slider, According to different sources
- MenusWithPrice lists it at 290 calories
- CalorieKing states it contains 270 calories
- FastFoodNutrition reports 290 calories
Based on the most recent information and the fact that two sources agree we’ll go with 290 calories as the most accurate count. This small discrepancy could be due to slight recipe changes or different measurement methods.
Complete Nutritional Breakdown
Let’s look at the full nutritional profile of the Arby’s Chicken Tender ‘n Cheese Slider:
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 290 | – |
| Calories from Fat | 110 | – |
| Total Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g | 18% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | – |
| Cholesterol | 25mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 720mg | 30% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 30g | 10% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugars | 1g | – |
| Protein | 15g | 30% |
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Where Do These Calories Come From?
When we break down the calorie sources in the Chicken Tender ‘n Cheese Slider:
- 38% of calories come from fat (110 calories)
- 41% of calories come from carbohydrates (about 120 calories)
- 21% of calories come from protein (about 60 calories)
This means the slider is fairly balanced between fat and carbs, with a decent amount of protein.
How Long Would It Take to Burn Off?
If you’re wondering how much exercise you’d need to do to burn off this slider, here’s a quick reference:
- Swimming: 23-52 minutes (depending on intensity)
- Jogging: 27-31 minutes
- Cycling: 41-50 minutes
- Walking: 75-78 minutes
The ranges vary because different sources use slightly different calculations based on body weight, age, and gender. But this gives you a general idea!
What’s Actually In It? Ingredient Breakdown
The Arby’s Chicken Tender ‘n Cheese Slider contains these components:
-
Chicken Breast Strip: Chicken breast with rib meat, water, seasonings (including salt, hydrolyzed corn and soy protein, flavoring agents, egg powder), breaded with wheat flour and various spices.
-
Swiss Cheese (Processed Slice): Made with cultured milk, skim milk, water, salt, and various preservatives and processing agents.
-
Split Top Bun: Contains enriched flour, water, soybean oil, yeast, sugar, wheat gluten, salt, and preservatives.
Allergen Information
This slider contains several common allergens:
- Egg
- Gluten
- Milk
- Soy
- Wheat
It does NOT contain:
- Fish
- Peanuts
- Shellfish
- Tree nuts
However, it’s important to note that most fast food restaurants can’t guarantee any product is completely free of allergens due to shared cooking equipment.
Is It Healthy? Public Opinion Is Split
According to visitor ratings on FastFoodNutrition, opinions are divided on whether this slider is healthy:
- 50% of people think it’s healthy
- 50% think it’s unhealthy
However, a whopping 95% of people think it tastes good! So while nutrition experts might debate its healthiness, customers seem to agree that it’s delicious.
How Does It Compare to Other Arby’s Items?
To put the slider’s 290 calories in perspective, here are some other Arby’s menu items for comparison:
- Arby-Q: 400 calories
- Angus Philly: 620 calories
- Cherry Turnover: 390 calories
- Chopped Farmhouse Salad with Crispy Chicken: 430 calories
- Chopped Side Salad: 70 calories
- Chocolate Shake, Jr: 320 calories
As you can see, the Chicken Tender ‘n Cheese Slider is one of the lower-calorie sandwich options at Arby’s.
Weight Watchers Points
For those following Weight Watchers:
- 7 Freestyle Points
- 8 SmartPoints
- 8 PointsPlus
Making It Healthier
If you’re trying to enjoy this slider while staying health-conscious, here are some tips:
- Skip other high-calorie sides – The slider itself isn’t terribly high in calories, but adding fries and a shake will quickly multiply your calorie intake.
- Balance with veggies – Consider having a side salad instead of fries.
- Watch sodium intake – With 720mg of sodium, this slider provides about 30% of your daily recommended sodium intake, so be mindful of your other meals that day.
- Hydrate well – Drink plenty of water with your meal to help process the sodium.
My Personal Take
I’ve ordered this slider a few times when I’m looking for something small but satisfying. At 290 calories, it’s definitely not the worst fast food option out there. The protein content (15g) is pretty decent for the size, which helps make it more filling than you might expect.
The thing I like most is that it’s a nice portion size – not too big that you feel stuffed, but enough to satisfy a craving. The combo of the crispy chicken tender with the mild swiss cheese works really well together!
But I gotta be honest – the sodium content (720mg) is pretty high for such a small sandwich. That’s nearly a third of your daily recommended intake in just one little slider! So if you’re watching your salt intake, you might wanna think twice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in an Arby’s Chicken Tender ‘n Cheese Slider?
There are 290 calories in an Arby’s Chicken Tender ‘n Cheese Slider.
Is the Arby’s Chicken Tender ‘n Cheese Slider healthy?
With 290 calories, 12g of fat, and 15g of protein, it’s a relatively moderate option compared to other fast food sandwiches. However, it is high in sodium (720mg), which is about 30% of the recommended daily intake.
What are the main allergens in the Chicken Tender ‘n Cheese Slider?
The slider contains egg, gluten, milk, soy, and wheat.
How much protein is in the Arby’s Chicken Tender ‘n Cheese Slider?
The slider contains 15g of protein.
What is the serving size of the Chicken Tender ‘n Cheese Slider?
The serving size is one slider, which weighs approximately 99g (3.2 oz).
Conclusion
The Arby’s Chicken Tender ‘n Cheese Slider clocks in at 290 calories, making it a relatively moderate choice among fast food options. With 12g of fat, 30g of carbs, and 15g of protein, it provides a somewhat balanced nutritional profile for a quick meal or snack.
The biggest concern nutritionally is its sodium content (720mg), which represents 30% of the recommended daily intake. So while it might be fine as an occasional treat, it’s probably not something you’d want to eat regularly if you’re monitoring your sodium intake.
At the end of the day, this slider is what I’d call a “middle-ground” fast food choice – not the healthiest option out there, but definitely not the worst either. If you’re craving Arby’s but trying to keep your calorie count in check, this slider could be one of your better bets from their menu.
Arby’s Chicken Slider Nutrition Facts
*All percent daily value figures are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.Nutritional information source:
There are 290 calories in a Chicken Slider from Arbys. Most of those calories come from fat (38%) and carbohydrates (41%).
To burn the 290 calories in a Chicken Slider, you would have to run for 25 minutes or walk for 41 minutes. — Advertisement. Content continues below — Popular Restaurants
According to our website visitors, its hard to tell if Chicken Slider from Arbys is a healthy option. Our visitors are split on the issue, with 50% of visitors thinking a Chicken Slider is healthy and 50% thinking its unhealthy.
Let us know what you think! Review the nutrition facts above and then vote on whether you think a Chicken Slider is healthy or not.