How Many Calories in Culver’s Chicken Tenders? The Ultimate Guide

Ever found yourself craving those crispy juicy chicken tenders from Culver’s but worried about the calorie count? I’ve been there too! As someone who loves indulging in these delicious tenders but also tries to keep track of my nutrition, I wanted to create this comprehensive guide about Culver’s chicken tenders calories and nutrition facts.

The Quick Answer

Culver’s chicken tenders contain varying calories depending on the serving size:

• 1 piece: 130 calories
• 2 pieces: 260 calories
• 4 pieces: 520 calories
• 8 pieces: 1040 calories

However, there’s some discrepancy in the nutritional information from different sources. According to fastfoodnutrition.org, a serving of Culver’s chicken tenders contains 540 calories. This difference might be due to varying serving sizes or updated nutritional information.

Detailed Nutritional Breakdown

Let’s dive deeper into what you’re actually consuming when you order these tasty tenders:

1-Piece Serving

• Calories: 130
• Total Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 25mg
• Sodium: 390mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 10g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Total Sugars: 0g
• Protein: 10g

2-Piece Serving

• Calories: 260
• Total Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 45mg
• Sodium: 780mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 21g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Total Sugars: 0g
• Protein: 19g

4-Piece Serving

• Calories: 520
• Total Fat: 23g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 90mg
• Sodium: 1560mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 31g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Total Sugars: 1g
• Protein: 39g

8-Piece Serving

• Calories: 1040
• Total Fat: 45g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 180mg
• Sodium: 3120mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 83g
• Dietary Fiber: 5g
• Total Sugars: 1g
• Protein: 78g

Where Do These Calories Come From?

According to fastfoodnutrition.org, most of the calories in Culver’s chicken tenders come from fat (approximately 40% of the total calories) This makes sense considering they’re breaded and fried, which adds to both the delicious taste and the calorie count

Putting the Calories in Perspective

To give you an idea of what these calories mean in terms of physical activity

• To burn off the calories in a 4-piece serving (520-540 calories), you would need to run for about 47 minutes or walk for about 77 minutes.

This might be useful info if your thinking about how to balance your indulgence with exercise!

Dipping Sauces Add Extra Calories

Don’t forget that most of us love to dip our tenders in sauce, which adds additional calories. Here’s what you’re looking at when you add a sauce:

• Culver’s Signature Sauce: +260 cal
• Buttermilk Ranch: +180 cal
• Honey Mustard: +130 cal
• Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ: +110 cal
• Ken’s Bleu Cheese: +200 cal
• Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Sauce: +5 cal
• Dell Terra Marinara: +40 cal
• Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce: +310 cal
• Tartar Sauce: +360 cal

If your watching your calorie intake, Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Sauce is your best bet at only 5 additional calories, while Tartar Sauce will add a whopping 360 calories to your meal!

What’s Actually In Culver’s Chicken Tenders?

For those curious about ingredients, Culver’s Original Chicken Tenders contain:

Chicken Tenderloin, Water, Modified Tapioca Starch, Salt, Sodium Tripolyphosphate. They’re predusted with Wheat Flour, Modified Corn Starch, Vital Wheat Gluten, Salt, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Spices, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, and Disodium Inosinate and Disodium Guanylate.

The batter includes Bleached Wheat Flour, Modified Corn Starch, Yellow Corn Flour, Salt, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Dextrose, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Spices, Paprika Extract (color), and Turmeric Extract (color).

Finally, they’re breaded with Bleached Wheat Flour, Salt, Dextrose, Soybean Oil, Yeast, and Spice. The breading is set in Vegetable Oil and the tenders are cooked in Canola Oil.

Allergen Information

For those with dietary restrictions or allergies, its important to note that Culver’s Chicken Tenders contain:

• Gluten
• Wheat

They do NOT contain:

• Egg
• Fish
• Milk
• Peanuts
• Shellfish
• Soy
• Tree nuts

However, as with most fast food restaurants, cross-contamination is possible since they use shared equipment for food prep.

Are Culver’s Chicken Tenders Healthy?

According to a poll on fastfoodnutrition.org, about 62% of voters consider Culver’s Chicken Tenders to be healthy. However, “healthy” is subjective and depends on your dietary needs and goals.

The tenders are high in protein (40g per serving according to fastfoodnutrition.org), which is a plus. However, they’re also high in sodium (1840mg), which is about 77% of the recommended daily value based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Weight Watchers Points

For those following Weight Watchers:

• 12 Weight Watchers Freestyle Points
• 14 WW SmartPoints
• 14 WW PointsPlus

Making Your Meal Healthier

If you’re watching your calorie intake but still want to enjoy Culver’s Chicken Tenders, here are some tips:

1. Order a smaller portion – A 1-piece or 2-piece serving has significantly fewer calories than the 4-piece or 8-piece options.
2. Choose a low-calorie dipping sauce – Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Sauce (5 cal) or Dell Terra Marinara (40 cal) are your best bets.
3. Skip the sides or choose healthier options – Instead of fries, consider a side salad.
4. Share with a friend – Split a larger order to enjoy the taste without consuming all the calories.

Why We Love Culver’s Chicken Tenders Despite the Calories

Culver’s Original Chicken Tenders are made with whole white meat chicken that’s seasoned, hand-breaded, and cooked until golden brown. Each tender is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, giving that satisfying crunch followed by flavorful, tender meat.

These tenders are served hot and fresh, making them a favorite for kids, families, and anyone who loves classic chicken. Whether you enjoy them on their own or with dipping sauces, they deliver bold flavor in every bite.

They’re great as a meal with Crinkle Cut Fries, coleslaw, or a salad, and they also work well as a snack or quick lunch. Packed with protein and made with care, these tenders are simple, comforting, and filling. The hand-breading gives them a homestyle feel that’s different from frozen or fast-prepped chicken.

My Personal Experience

I’ve always been a fan of Culver’s Chicken Tenders. There’s something about that perfect crispy coating and juicy interior that just hits the spot when I’m craving comfort food. I usually go for the 2-piece option with a side salad instead of fries when I’m trying to be more health-conscious. And I’m obsessed with their Honey Mustard sauce – worth the extra 130 calories in my opinion!

Final Thoughts

While Culver’s Chicken Tenders aren’t exactly a diet food, they can definitely be part of a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation. The key is being aware of the calorie content and making informed choices about portion sizes and sides.

Remember, the occasional indulgence is part of a sustainable approach to healthy eating. So next time you’re at Culver’s, you can enjoy those crispy, delicious chicken tenders with full knowledge of what you’re consuming!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in a 4-piece Culver’s Chicken Tenders?

A 4-piece serving contains 520 calories according to culvers-menu.com, though fastfoodnutrition.org lists a slightly higher count of 540 calories.

What’s the protein content in Culver’s Chicken Tenders?

The protein content varies by serving size: 10g for 1 piece, 19g for 2 pieces, 39g for 4 pieces, and 78g for 8 pieces.

Are Culver’s Chicken Tenders gluten-free?

No, Culver’s Chicken Tenders contain wheat and gluten, making them unsuitable for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

What’s the lowest calorie dipping sauce for Culver’s Chicken Tenders?

Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Sauce is the lowest at only 5 calories, followed by Dell Terra Marinara at 40 calories.

How many Weight Watchers points are in Culver’s Chicken Tenders?

They contain 12 Weight Watchers Freestyle Points, 14 WW SmartPoints, and 14 WW PointsPlus.

What oil are Culver’s Chicken Tenders cooked in?

Culver’s Chicken Tenders are cooked in Canola Oil after the breading is set in Vegetable Oil.

Do Culver’s Chicken Tenders contain any dairy?

No, according to the allergen information, Culver’s Chicken Tenders do not contain milk or dairy products.

Remember, enjoying your favorite foods is about balance. Now you can make informed decisions about those delicious Culver’s Chicken Tenders while staying mindful of your nutritional goals!