How Many Carbs in Culver’s Chicken Tenders? The Complete Nutritional Breakdown

Are you craving some crispy juicy Culver’s chicken tenders but worried about your carb intake? I’ve been there too! As someone who loves Culver’s but tries to watch my macros I wanted to get the exact facts about those delicious tenders. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about the carb content in Culver’s chicken tenders and how they might fit into your diet.

The Quick Answer: Carb Content in Culver’s Chicken Tenders

Different sources provide slightly different measurements but here’s what we know about the carb content in Culver’s chicken tenders

• 3-piece serving (244g): Contains approximately 42g total carbs
• 4-piece serving: Contains approximately 56g total carbs
• 2-piece serving: Contains approximately 28g total carbs
• 1 tender (81g): Contains approximately 14g total carbs

According to Carb Manager a standard serving of Culver’s Chicken Tenders contains 40g of net carbs with no dietary fiber. The nutritional information can vary slightly depending on the source and exact serving size.

Complete Nutritional Profile of Culver’s Chicken Tenders

Let’s look at the full nutritional breakdown of Culver’s chicken tenders so you can make an informed decision:

Standard 3-Piece Serving (244g):

*Based on a 2,000 calorie diet

How Do Culver’s Chicken Tenders Compare to Other Menu Items?

If you’re watching your carb intake but still want to enjoy Culver’s, it helps to know how their chicken tenders stack up against other popular menu items:

• Cheese Curds: 51g carbs
• Cheeseburger on bun: 49g carbs
• Regular Fries: 64g carbs
• Chicken Tenders (3 pieces): 42g carbs

As you can see, the chicken tenders actually have fewer carbs than many other popular Culver’s items! This makes them a somewhat better option if you’re trying to moderate your carb intake while still enjoying a treat from Culver’s.

Are Culver’s Chicken Tenders Keto-Friendly?

I hate to break it to ya, but with 40-42g of carbs per 3-piece serving, Culver’s chicken tenders aren’t keto-friendly in their standard form. Most ketogenic diets limit daily carb intake to 20-50g per day, so just one serving of tenders would use up most or all of your daily carb allowance.

However, if you’re following a more moderate low-carb diet rather than strict keto, you might be able to fit a smaller portion (like 1-2 tenders) into your daily carb budget.

Tips for Reducing Carbs When Ordering at Culver’s

If you love Culver’s but want to cut down on carbs, here are some practical tips:

1. Order a smaller portion – Get 1-2 tenders instead of 3-4
2. Request grilled chicken instead of breaded when available
3. Skip the Texas toast and opt for a side salad
4. Choose low-carb dipping sauces like ranch, mayo, or mustard instead of BBQ sauce
5. Avoid high-carb sides like fries, cheese curds, or onion rings
6. Consider a lettuce-wrapped burger as an alternative to tenders

Portion Sizes and Carb Counts

Let’s break down the carb counts for different portion sizes of Culver’s chicken tenders:

• 1 tender (81g): 14g carbs
• 2 tenders (162g): 28g carbs
• 3 tenders (244g): 42g carbs
• 4 tenders (325g): 56g carbs
• 6 tenders (488g): 84g carbs

As you can see, the carbs add up quickly as you increase your portion size! If you’re watching your carbs, consider sticking to a smaller serving.

Understanding the Nutritional Balance

When looking at the macronutrient breakdown of Culver’s chicken tenders, here’s how the calories are distributed:

• Fat: 40% of calories
• Carbs: 31% of calories
• Protein: 29-30% of calories

While the protein content is decent (36-40g per serving), the combination of high fat and high carbs makes these a calorie-dense option. For perspective, a 3-tender serving contains about 13-19% of the daily recommended carbohydrate intake for most adults (based on 225-325g daily carb recommendation).

Are Culver’s Chicken Tenders Healthy?

This is a tricky question cause “healthy” means different things to different people. Compared to chicken tenders from some other fast food chains, Culver’s tenders are considered a relatively better choice. They’re made with white meat chicken, providing good protein, and aren’t as heavily processed as some competitors.

However, they are still breaded and fried, which adds significant carbs, fat, and calories. The sodium content is also quite high at 1720-1904mg per serving (about 82% of recommended daily intake).

If you’re following a balanced diet, Culver’s chicken tenders can be enjoyed occasionally as part of your overall eating plan. But they probably shouldn’t be a daily staple if you’re watching your carbs, sodium, or overall calorie intake.

Dietary Considerations and Allergens

For those with dietary restrictions or allergies, it’s worth noting that:

• Culver’s chicken tenders contain gluten and wheat
• They do not contain egg, fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soy, or tree nuts
• They are not gluten-free

However, like most fast food restaurants, Culver’s uses shared equipment for food prep, so cross-contamination is always a possibility if you have severe allergies.

Weight Watchers Points in Culver’s Chicken Tenders

For those following Weight Watchers, here’s the points breakdown:

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

How to Fit Culver’s Chicken Tenders Into Your Diet

I love Culver’s chicken tenders, but I’ve had to find ways to enjoy them while still meeting my nutritional goals. Here are some strategies that have worked for me:

1. Make it a planned treat – Enjoy tenders as an occasional treat rather than a regular meal
2. Balance your day – If you know you’ll be having tenders for dinner, eat lower-carb meals earlier in the day
3. Share an order – Split a larger order with a friend to reduce your portion
4. Skip the sauce – Some dipping sauces can add extra carbs and calories
5. Add veggies – Balance your meal with a side salad or other non-starchy vegetables
6. Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water with your meal

Better Alternatives at Culver’s for Low-Carb Eaters

If you’re trying to minimize carbs but still want to eat at Culver’s, consider these lower-carb alternatives:

• Grilled chicken sandwich without the bun
• Burger patty without the bun
• Garden salad with grilled chicken (ask for dressing on the side)
• Bunless ButterBurger
• Side salad instead of fries

The Bottom Line on Culver’s Chicken Tenders and Carbs

Culver’s chicken tenders are delicious but relatively high in carbs due to their breading. With 40-42g of carbs in a standard 3-piece serving, they’re not ideal for very low-carb or ketogenic diets. However, they can still be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet or as an occasional treat.

If you’re craving Culver’s but want to minimize carbs, consider ordering just 1-2 tenders instead of a full serving, or explore some of the lower-carb menu alternatives I mentioned above.

Remember, no single food is “good” or “bad” – it’s your overall dietary pattern that matters most. So if you really want those chicken tenders, go ahead and enjoy them occasionally! Just be mindful of portion sizes and how they fit into your overall nutrition goals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Culver’s Chicken Tenders

How many carbs are in Culver’s chicken tenders?

A 3-piece serving contains approximately 40-42g of total carbohydrates. A 2-piece serving contains about 28g of carbs.

Are Culver’s chicken tenders gluten-free?

No, Culver’s chicken tenders contain gluten and wheat in the breading.

How many calories are in Culver’s chicken tenders?

A 3-piece serving contains approximately 540-560 calories.

Do Culver’s chicken tenders contain allergens?

Yes, they contain gluten and wheat. They do not contain egg, fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soy or tree nuts, but cross-contamination is possible.

Can I eat Culver’s chicken tenders on a keto diet?

Not really. With 40-42g of carbs per serving, they would use up most or all of your daily carb allowance on a ketogenic diet.

How do Culver’s chicken tenders compare to other fast food chicken tenders?

Culver’s tenders are generally considered to be of higher quality than many fast food alternatives, with good protein content and less processing.