Are you a fan of Chili’s Grill & Bar Restaurant? Do you find yourself craving their mouthwatering Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla? Well, I’ve got some news that might make you think twice before ordering this cheesy delight. Don’t get me wrong – I love Chili’s just as much as the next person, but when I discovered the calorie content of this popular menu item, my jaw literally dropped
The Calorie Breakdown That Will Shock You
Let’s cut straight to the chase. The Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla from Chili’s Grill & Bar Restaurant contains a whopping 1680 calories per order. Yes, you read that right – one thousand, six hundred and eighty calories in a single serving! That’s almost an entire day’s worth of calories for many people, all packed into one menu item.
But wait there’s more. Let’s break down the nutritional facts of this cheesy, bacon-filled quesadilla
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 1680 | – |
| Total Fat | 125g | 192% |
| Saturated Fat | 42g | 210% |
| Trans Fat | 1.5g | – |
| Cholesterol | 265mg | 88% |
| Sodium | 3710mg | 155% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 70g | 23% |
| Dietary Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugars | 11g | – |
| Protein | 69g | – |
*Based on a 2000 calorie daily diet
Looking at these numbers, I’m particularly alarmed by the fat content. With 125 grams of fat (192% of the recommended daily value) and 42 grams of saturated fat (210% of daily value), this quesadilla is definitely not for the health-conscious eater!
What’s Actually In This Caloric Beast?
According to Chili’s menu, the Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla contains:
- Chicken
- Shredded cheese
- Chile spices
- Bacon
- House-made ranch
And it’s served with:
- Pico de gallo
- Sour cream
- Ancho-chile ranch
While these ingredients sound delicious (and they are!), they combine to create a calorie bomb that could derail your diet for days.
Burn Baby Burn: How Long Would It Take To Work Off?
If you’re thinking about indulging in this quesadilla, you might want to know how much exercise you’d need to do to burn off those 1680 calories. According to CalorieKing, here’s how long it would take for a 35-year-old woman who is 5’7″ tall and weighs 144 pounds:
- Swimming: 140 minutes
- Jogging: 193 minutes
- Cycling: 257 minutes
- Walking: 468 minutes
That’s almost 8 hours of walking to burn off one meal! Or more than 3 hours of jogging! I don’t know about you, but I don’t have that kind of time to spend at the gym after lunch.
Public Opinion: Is It Worth It?
According to customer ratings on nutrition websites, only 20% of voters consider the Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla to be a healthy option. However, a whopping 100% of voters think it tastes good. This perfectly illustrates our love-hate relationship with delicious but unhealthy food!
Weight Watchers Points Breakdown
For those following Weight Watchers, here’s the points breakdown:
- 57 SmartPoints
- 46 PointsPlus
- 55 Freestyle Points
To put this in perspective, many people on Weight Watchers have a daily budget of around 23-30 points. This means one Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla could use up nearly two days’ worth of points!
Calorie Comparison With Other Fast Food Items
To give you some perspective, let’s compare this quesadilla with other popular fast food items:
- Chili’s Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla: 1680 calories
- McDonald’s Big Mac: 550 calories
- Burger King Whopper: 660 calories
- KFC Original Recipe Chicken Breast: 390 calories
As you can see, you could eat multiple items from other fast food chains and still consume fewer calories than this single quesadilla!
Why Is It So High In Calories?
The high calorie count comes from several sources:
-
Cheese overload – Quesadillas are basically melted cheese sandwiched between tortillas, and Chili’s doesn’t skimp on the cheese!
-
Bacon – While delicious, bacon is extremely high in fat and calories.
-
Ranch dressing – Both inside the quesadilla and served on the side, ranch is basically fat (oil and mayonnaise) with some herbs and spices.
-
Portion size – Chili’s is known for generous portions, which means more of everything… including calories.
Healthier Alternatives at Chili’s
If you’re watching your waistline but still want to enjoy a meal at Chili’s, consider these lower-calorie alternatives:
- Grilled chicken salad (ask for dressing on the side)
- Lighter Choice menu items (Chili’s offers several options under 600 calories)
- Classic Sirloin with Grilled Avocado (lower in carbs and calories than many menu items)
- Customize your order – Ask for less cheese, no bacon, or substitute ingredients
Making Your Own Healthier Version At Home
I love recreating restaurant favorites at home where I can control the ingredients. Here’s my lighter version of a bacon ranch chicken quesadilla that still satisfies the craving:
Ingredients:
- 1 whole wheat tortilla
- 2 oz grilled chicken breast, sliced thin
- 1 slice turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend
- 1 tbsp light ranch dressing
- Diced jalapeños (optional)
- Cooking spray
Instructions:
- Spray a pan with cooking spray and heat over medium heat
- Place tortilla in pan
- Sprinkle half the cheese on one side of the tortilla
- Add chicken, bacon, and jalapeños
- Drizzle with ranch dressing
- Sprinkle remaining cheese
- Fold tortilla in half
- Cook until golden brown on both sides
- Serve with salsa and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream
This homemade version will save you hundreds of calories while still giving you that bacon ranch chicken quesadilla fix!
The Sodium Situation: Another Concern
Beyond calories, the sodium content of Chili’s Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla is alarming – 3710mg, which is 155% of the recommended daily value! High sodium intake is associated with increased blood pressure and risk of heart disease, so this is definitely something to be aware of.
Who Should Avoid This Menu Item?
While occasional indulgences are part of a balanced lifestyle, certain groups should probably steer clear of this particular menu item:
- People with heart conditions or high cholesterol
- Those with high blood pressure
- People with diabetes
- Anyone on a calorie-restricted diet
- Those with sodium sensitivities
The Occasional Treat Perspective
Look, I’m not saying you should NEVER order this quesadilla. Food is meant to be enjoyed, and sometimes a splurge is exactly what we need. If you absolutely love this dish, consider these tips:
- Split it with a friend or two
- Take half home for another meal
- Balance it out by eating lighter for your other meals that day
- Make it an occasional treat rather than a regular order
- Pair it with a side salad instead of fries to add nutrition and fiber
My Personal Experience
I’ll be honest – I’ve ordered this quesadilla before. It’s definitely delicious and satisfying! But after learning about the calorie content, I’ve changed how I approach it. Now when my friends and I hit up Chili’s, we order one to share among the table as an appetizer instead of as individual meals. This way, we get to enjoy the flavor without consuming the entire calorie bomb ourselves.
The Bottom Line
The Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla from Chili’s Grill & Bar Restaurant is undeniably delicious but comes with a serious caloric price tag at 1680 calories. With 125g of fat, 3710mg of sodium, and 70g of carbs, it’s definitely a splurge meal rather than an everyday choice.
Whether you decide to indulge occasionally, share with friends, or seek healthier alternatives depends on your personal health goals and dietary needs. Whatever you choose, at least now you’re making an informed decision!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in Chili’s Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla?
The quesadilla contains 1680 calories per order.
What is the fat content of Chili’s Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla?
It contains 125g of total fat, including 42g of saturated fat and 1.5g of trans fat.
Is Chili’s Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla healthy?
With 1680 calories and high fat and sodium content, it would not be considered a healthy choice. Only 20% of surveyed customers consider it healthy.
What comes with the Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla at Chili’s?
It’s served with pico de gallo, sour cream, and ancho-chile ranch.
How long would it take to burn off a Chili’s Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla?
For a 35-year-old, 5’7″ woman weighing 144 pounds, it would take approximately 140 minutes of swimming, 193 minutes of jogging, 257 minutes of cycling, or 468 minutes of walking.
So there you have it – everything you ever wanted to know (and probably some things you didn’t) about the calories in Chili’s Grill & Bar Restaurant Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla. Next time you’re at Chili’s, you’ll be equipped to make a choice that aligns with your dietary goals!
Chili’s Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla Nutrition Facts
*All percent daily value figures are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.Nutritional information source:
There are 1682 calories in a Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla from Chilis. Most of those calories come from fat (67%).
To burn the 1682 calories in a Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla, you would have to run for 148 minutes or walk for 240 minutes. — Advertisement. Content continues below — Popular Restaurants
According to our website visitors, a Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla is not a healthy and nutritious option from Chilis, with only 20% 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 Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla is healthy or not.