How many calories are in a chicken express tender?

Chicken Express is a popular fast food chicken restaurant chain that is known for its fried chicken tenders. Many people enjoy eating Chicken Express chicken tenders because they are crispy and flavorful. However, fried foods like chicken tenders can be high in calories. So how many calories are actually in a Chicken Express chicken tender?

In this article, we will provide a detailed calorie breakdown of Chicken Express chicken tenders. We will look at the calorie counts for different sizes of tenders, including 3 tenders, 5 tenders, and 10 tenders. We will also compare the calorie counts to other fast food fried chicken options. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the calorie content of Chicken Express chicken tenders!

Calories in 3 Chicken Express Tenders

If you order a 3-piece tender meal from Chicken Express, you will get 3 original chicken tenders. Here are the calorie counts for 3 original Chicken Express chicken tenders:

  • 3 original Chicken Express tenders (without sauce) = 420 calories
  • 3 original tenders with gravy = 510 calories
  • 3 original tenders with honey mustard sauce = 450 calories
  • 3 original tenders with sweet and spicy sauce = 480 calories
  • 3 original tenders with creamy pepper sauce = 510 calories

As you can see, 3 original Chicken Express tenders alone contain 420 calories. The sauces add an extra 30-90 calories per 3-piece tender order. So a 3-piece tender meal with sauce will range from 450-510 calories depending on the sauce selected.

Calories per Tender

If we break it down per tender, each original Chicken Express chicken tender contains about 140 calories without sauce. With sauce, each tender ranges from 150-170 calories depending on the sauce choice.

So in summary:

  • 1 Chicken Express original tender (no sauce) = 140 calories
  • 1 Chicken Express original tender with sauce = 150-170 calories

Calories in 5 Chicken Express Tenders

A 5-piece Chicken Express tender meal comes with 5 original chicken tenders. Here is the calorie breakdown for 5 original Chicken Express tenders:

  • 5 original Chicken Express tenders (without sauce) = 700 calories
  • 5 original tenders with gravy = 820 calories
  • 5 original tenders with honey mustard sauce = 750 calories
  • 5 original tenders with sweet and spicy sauce = 800 calories
  • 5 original tenders with creamy pepper sauce = 850 calories

The 5 original tenders alone contain 700 calories. With sauces, a 5-piece tender meal ranges from 750-850 calories depending on the sauce selected.

Calories per Tender

For a 5-piece order, each individual Chicken Express original tender contains about:

  • 1 Chicken Express original tender (no sauce) = 140 calories
  • 1 Chicken Express original tender with sauce = 150-170 calories

So the calorie counts are the same whether you order 3 or 5 piece Chicken Express tender meal. Each original tender averages 140 calories by itself or 150-170 calories with sauce.

Calories in 10 Chicken Express Tenders

Chicken Express also offers larger 10-piece family meal packages of tenders. Here is the calorie information for 10 original Chicken Express tenders:

  • 10 original Chicken Express tenders (without sauce) = 1400 calories
  • 10 original tenders with gravy = 1620 calories
  • 10 original tenders with honey mustard sauce = 1500 calories
  • 10 original tenders with sweet and spicy sauce = 1600 calories
  • 10 original tenders with creamy pepper sauce = 1700 calories

As expected, a 10-piece order of original tenders packs a whopping 1400 calories without any sauce. With sauce, the 10 tenders contain between 1500-1700 calories depending on sauce choice.

Calories per Tender

Again, the calorie counts per individual tender are the same for a 10-piece order:

  • 1 Chicken Express original tender (no sauce) = 140 calories
  • 1 Chicken Express original tender with sauce = 150-170 calories

So regardless of whether you order 3, 5 or 10 piece Chicken Express tender meal, each original fried chicken tender contains roughly 140 calories by itself or 150-170 calories when paired with a sauce.

Calories in Chicken Express Specialty Tenders

Beyond original tenders, Chicken Express offers some specialty tenders that are seasoned or prepared differently. Here are the calorie counts for these specialty Chicken Express chicken tenders:

  • 3 Buffalo Ranch tenders = 480 calories
  • 3 Bacon Ranch tenders = 510 calories
  • 3 Honey BBQ tenders = 510 calories
  • 3 Hickory House tenders = 450 calories

As you can see, the specialty tenders range from 450-510 calories for a 3-piece order. So the specialty tenders contain slightly more calories than the original tenders.

Let’s compare calories per tender:

  • 1 Buffalo Ranch tender = 160 calories
  • 1 Bacon Ranch tender = 170 calories
  • 1 Honey BBQ tender = 170 calories
  • 1 Hickory House tender = 150 calories

The original tenders contain 140 calories per tender without sauce, while the specialty tenders range from 150-170 calories per tender. So the specialty recipes add an extra 10-30 calories per tender compared to the original.

Comparing Chicken Express Tender Calories to Other Fried Chicken

How does the calorie count of Chicken Express chicken tenders compare to other popular fast food fried chicken options? Here is a calorie comparison (based on 3-piece tenders or 3 chicken strips):

Restaurant Calories (3-piece)
Chicken Express (original) 420 calories
Chick-fil-A 370 calories
KFC 420 calories
Popeyes 590 calories
Church’s Chicken 530 calories
Zaxby’s 700 calories

As you can see, the calorie count of 3 Chicken Express original tenders is on the lower end compared to most other fast food chains. Chick-fil-A has slightly less at 370 calories for 3 chicken strips. KFC is tied with Chicken Express at 420 calories for 3 Extra Crispy tenders.

Popeyes, Church’s Chicken, and Zaxby’s all contain significantly more calories than Chicken Express for a 3-piece fried chicken tender meal. So if you are looking for lower calorie options, Chicken Express and Chick-fil-A tend to be better bets than the other chains.

Tips for Reducing Calories in Chicken Express Tenders

If you want to reduce the calorie count of your Chicken Express tenders, here are some tips:

  • Order the 3-piece tender meal instead of 5 or 10 pieces to get less calories
  • Skip the sauces or choose honey mustard (adds the least calories)
  • Choose grilled chicken tenders instead of original fried tenders to cut calories significantly
  • Order a side salad instead of fries to reduce calories
  • Share your tenders with a friend to reduce your own portion and calorie intake

Sticking to these tips can help you enjoy Chicken Express chicken tenders as a lighter meal option. While original tenders are fried and higher in calories, there are still ways to reduce the calorie count if you make smart menu substitutions.

Conclusion

So how many calories are in Chicken Express chicken tenders? Here is a quick summary:

  • Original chicken tenders: About 140 calories per tender without sauce, or 150-170 calories per tender with sauce
  • Specialty tenders: Range from 150-170 calories per tender
  • Chicken Express tenders are on the lower end for calories compared to other fast food chains
  • Order 3-piece, skip sauce, or choose grilled tenders to reduce calories

In moderation, Chicken Express chicken tenders can be a tasty option if you are mindful about portions and sauce choices. Being informed about the calorie content can help you make educated menu picks. Now that you know the calorie count for Chicken Express tenders, you can enjoy your meal guilt-free!

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