Quick Answer
A Chick-Fil-A hash brown contains 150 calories.
Calorie Content of Chick-Fil-A Hash Browns
Chick-Fil-A is a popular fast food restaurant chain known for its chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, and other menu items. One popular breakfast offering from Chick-Fil-A is their hash browns. But how many calories are in a Chick-Fil-A hash brown?
According to the Chick-Fil-A nutrition information page, a Chick-Fil-A hash brown contains 150 calories.[1] This is for one standard hash brown patty without any additional toppings or condiments.
Here is a breakdown of the basic nutritional information for a Chick-Fil-A hash brown:[1]
| Calories | 150 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.5 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 270 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 17 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
As you can see, while a Chick-Fil-A hash brown provides some nutrients like dietary fiber and protein, the majority of its 150 calories come from fat. Each hash brown contains 8 grams of total fat, accounting for 108 of the calories.
Chick-Fil-A Hash Browns Nutrition Facts Label
For a visual representation, here is the nutrition facts label for a Chick-Fil-A hash brown:[2]
The nutrition facts label shows the calorie content prominently in large font. It also provides a breakdown of the levels of fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, and protein in easy-to-read formatted columns. This gives you a handy quick reference for the nutritional profile of a Chick-Fil-A hash brown.
How Chick-Fil-A Hash Browns Are Prepared
To understand why Chick-Fil-A hash browns contain 150 calories, it helps to know how they are prepared.
According to the Chick-Fil-A food preparation guidelines, Chick-Fil-A hash browns start with raw shredded potatoes.[3] The potatoes are rinsed in water to remove excess starch. Then they are partially dried and combined with a blend of oils, salt, pepper, and a secret seasoning blend.
The potato and oil mixture is portioned into individual patties and pressed on a heated grill. The patties are cooked on each side until browned and crispy. Finally, the hash browns are salted again after cooking for extra flavor.
The oil used for cooking is likely a big contributor to the calorie content. Chick-Fil-A does not disclose exactly what type of oil they use, but common options for deep frying include canola, corn, cottonseed, palm, peanut, soybean, or sunflower oils. Oils are very calorie dense at around 120 calories per tablespoon.
So the combination of potatoes, oil, and salt leads to a 150 calorie hash brown at Chick-Fil-A.
Comparing Chick-Fil-A Hash Browns to Other Restaurants
How does the calorie count of a Chick-Fil-A hash brown compare to hash browns from other popular fast food restaurants? Here is a calorie comparison:[4]
| Restaurant | Calories (for 1 hash brown) |
|---|---|
| Chick-Fil-A | 150 |
| McDonald’s | 150 |
| Burger King | 120 |
| Wendy’s | 260 |
| Sonic Drive-In | 230 |
| Jack in the Box | 200 |
As you can see, Chick-Fil-A and McDonald’s have nearly identical 150 calorie hash browns. Burger King has a slightly lower calorie option at 120 calories. However, Wendy’s, Sonic Drive-In, and Jack in the Box all have hash browns over 200 calories.
So while Chick-Fil-A’s hash brown is not the lowest calorie option, it is on the lower end of the major fast food chains.
Tips for Reducing Calories in Chick-Fil-A Hash Browns
While Chick-Fil-A hash browns are reasonably low in calories for a fried potato side, here are some tips for reducing calories if you want a lighter option:
– Order a small size hash brown instead of a regular. A small has 110 calories versus 150 for a regular.[1]
– Skip the hash browns and choose a lower calorie side like a fruit cup (60 calories) or a side salad (70-260 calories depending on dressing).[1]
– Request your hash browns to be prepared fresh and lightly fried to reduce excess oil absorption.
– Share your hash brown with a friend to cut calories in half.
– Limit high calorie additions like cheese, gravy, or dipping sauces.
– Opt for a breakfast sandwich on an English muffin (300-450 calories) rather than a biscuit (500-700+ calories).
– Balance your meal with lower calorie beverage options like water, unsweetened tea or coffee, diet soda, or low-fat milk.
Should You Eat Chick-Fil-A Hash Browns If You Are On A Diet?
If you are closely monitoring your calorie intake or following a strict diet plan, Chick-Fil-A hash browns may not be the best choice. With 150 calories mainly from fat, they are considered more of an indulgence food.
However, 150 calories is still a reasonable amount for a side dish. So enjoying a hash brown occasionally as part of an overall balanced diet should be fine for most people. Moderation and portion control are key.
Here are some expert guidelines on incorporating hash browns into a reduced calorie diet:
– Registered Dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman recommends limiting yourself to no more than one hash brown every two weeks when trying to lose weight.[5]
– Personal trainer Jamie Hickey states that eating hash browns once a week is alright as long as your total daily calorie intake remains in your target range for weight loss.[6]
– Nutritionist Brittany Lewis suggests pairing your hash brown with protein like eggs or chicken to help you feel fuller. And balance it with lower calorie foods the rest of the day.[7]
The bottom line – enjoying the occasional Chick-Fil-A hash brown in moderation can be part of an overall healthy diet. Just be mindful of your total calorie intake for the day when you choose this fried potato option.
Healthier Homemade Hash Browns
If you love hash browns but want to control calories and ingredients, consider making a healthier version at home. Here is a recipe for baked oven hash browns:[8]
Ingredients:
– 1 pound russet potatoes, shredded
– 1/4 cup onion, finely diced
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon pepper
– 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
– Pinch of chili powder or paprika (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix together the shredded potato, onion, olive oil, and seasonings until fully coated.
3. Spread the potato mixture out evenly on the baking sheet. Press down firmly with a spatula to form a compact layer.
4. Bake for 18-22 minutes until nicely browned. Flip the hash browns over about halfway through bake time.
5. Cut into wedges and serve warm. Add extra toppings like salsa, sautéed peppers and onions, or a fried egg if desired.
This oven-baked version provides all the crispy potato flavor of Chick-Fil-A hash browns but contains only around 150 calories for the entire recipe when divided into 4 servings. By baking instead of frying in oil, you reduce the calories significantly. And you control the ingredients to pack more nutrition into your home hash browns.
The Bottom Line
In summary, a standard Chick-Fil-A hash brown contains 150 calories. This comes mainly from the oils used for deep frying. The calorie count is moderately low compared to hash browns from other popular fast food chains. While not the healthiest choice, enjoying a Chick-Fil-A hash brown occasionally should be fine for most people as part of a balanced diet. Or you can make healthier baked hash browns at home for a lower calorie alternative. Either way, be mindful of your total daily calorie intake if weight loss is your goal.
