Dave’s Hot Chicken is a popular fast food chicken chain known for its spicy fried chicken tenders and sliders. But how many calories are actually in one of their famous chicken tenders? In this article, we will break down the calorie count and nutritional information for a Dave’s Hot Chicken tender.
An Overview of Dave’s Hot Chicken
Dave’s Hot Chicken first opened in East Hollywood, Los Angeles in 2017. The restaurant was founded by chef Dave Kopushyan and several friends. The concept was simple – provide spicy fried chicken tenders and sliders with a variety of heat levels to satisfy all palates.
The restaurant quickly became a hit, drawing in lines out the door. Food critics raved about the juicy, flavorful chicken cooked under Kopushyan’s recipes. Within a year, Dave’s Hot Chicken expanded to several locations around Los Angeles. Today, there are over 25 Dave’s Hot Chicken locations across the United States.
Dave’s Hot Chicken specializes in chicken tenders and sliders. Customers can choose from six spice levels, ranging from No Spice to Reaper (which requires signing a waiver!). The most popular heat levels are Medium and Hot. All the chicken is Halal and fried fresh daily. Tenders and sliders can be ordered a la carte or in combo meals.
In addition to fried chicken, Dave’s Hot Chicken offers sides like mac and cheese, crinkle-cut fries, cheese fries, and kale slaw. There are also milkshakes and seasonal specialty items.
Nutritional Information for Dave’s Hot Chicken Tenders
Now let’s look at the main question – how many calories are in a Dave’s Chicken tender? Here is the basic nutritional information for a single Dave’s Hot Chicken tender, based on the company’s published nutrition facts:
- Calories: 270
- Total Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 430mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 16g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 15g
As you can see, a single Dave’s Hot Chicken tender contains 270 calories. It also has 14g of total fat, 430mg of sodium, 16g of carbohydrates, and 15g of protein.
Calories by Spice Level
Keep in mind the basic nutritional information is for a Dave’s tender made with Medium spice. The calories and fat content may vary slightly depending on the spice level.
Here are the approximate calorie counts for Dave’s Chicken tenders at different spice levels:
| Spice Level | Calories |
|---|---|
| No Spice | 260 calories |
| Lite Mild | 260 calories |
| Mild | 270 calories |
| Medium | 270 calories |
| Hot | 280 calories |
| Extra Hot | 300 calories |
| Reaper | 320 calories |
As you go up in spice level, the calorie count increases slightly. The Reaper chicken tender, Dave’s hottest option, clocks in at 320 calories per tender. The increase in calories at higher spice levels is mostly due to more oil being absorbed during frying.
Calories by Piece Size
In addition to tenders, Dave’s Hot Chicken offers chicken in slider and wing forms. Here is a breakdown of calories by the different piece sizes:
| Menu Item | Calories |
|---|---|
| Tender | 270 calories |
| Slider | 420 calories |
| Wing (each) | 100-150 calories |
The sliders contain more calories since they include a chicken tender fried in-between two buns with pickles and Dave’s sauce. Wings are the lowest calorie option, ranging from 100-150 calories per wing depending on size.
How Dave’s Hot Chicken Tenders Fit Into a Calorie-Controlled Diet
Now that we know how many calories are in a Dave’s Hot Chicken tender, how does it fit into a balanced, calorie-controlled diet?
The recommended daily calorie intake for the average moderately active adult is 2000-2500 calories. This varies based on age, gender, activity level and weight goals.
One Dave’s chicken tender contains 270 calories. Eating one a la carte tender would account for about 10-15% of your total daily calorie needs. The tenders are high in protein and make a tasty snack or part of a meal.
Here are some tips for enjoying Dave’s Hot Chicken tenders as part of a calorie-controlled diet:
- Order a la carte tenders instead of a full combo meal to control calories and sides.
- Opt for lower calorie dipping sauces like ranch instead of higher calorie Dave’s sauce.
- Split a combo meal with a friend or save half for later.
- Pair your tenders with lower calorie sides like kale slaw instead of fries.
- Drink water or unsweetened tea instead of higher calorie sodas or shakes.
- Watch your portion sizes and stick to 1-2 tenders as a snack, 3-4 tenders as a meal.
You can absolutely still enjoy delicious Dave’s Hot Chicken while maintaining your daily calorie goals. Just practice portion control, make smart swaps, and balance it out with the rest of your diet.
Comparing Dave’s Hot Chicken Nutrition to Other Fast Food Chains
To put the nutritional content of Dave’s Hot Chicken in context, let’s compare it to some other popular fast food fried chicken chains. Here is a nutrition comparison of a typical fried chicken tender/strip from various restaurants:
| Restaurant | Serving Size | Calories | Total Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dave’s Hot Chicken | 1 Tender | 270 | 14 | 16 | 15 |
| Chick-fil-A | 1 Chicken Strip | 140 | 7 | 6 | 13 |
| KFC | 1 Extra Crispy Strip | 260 | 14 | 11 | 12 |
| Popeyes | 1 Chicken Strip | 170 | 10 | 10 | 13 |
| McDonald’s | 1 Chicken Select | 220 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
Compared to the other major chains, Dave’s Hot Chicken is on the higher end for calories and fat per tender, but still within an acceptable range. Popeyes and Chick-fil-A tend to be the lowest calorie options.
Dave’s tenders are higher in fat because they are soaked in buttermilk then double breaded and fried in a blend of soybean and canola oil. The double breading gives them their signature crunch. But it does mean slightly higher fat and calories compared to alternatives prepared differently.
Healthier Ways to Customize Your Dave’s Hot Chicken Order
If you are looking for ways to lighten up your Dave’s Hot Chicken order, here are some healthy customization tips:
Choose Lower Calorie Sides
Skip the fries and mac and cheese and opt for the kale slaw (80 calories per serving) or baked beans (130 calories per serving). You can also order a side salad instead of fries for a fiber and nutrient boost.
Go Easy on Sauces
Dave’s Hot Chicken offers some tasty but calorie-dense dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, and Dave’s Sauce. Ask for the sauce on the side and dip lightly or skip entirely to save 70-140 calories per serving.
Pick Lean Protein Options
If available, choose grilled or rotisserie chicken instead of fried. A grilled chicken slider has around 200 fewer calories than a fried version. You can also swap in grilled chicken on any salad or bowl options.
Opt for Low-Cal Drinks
Avoid sugary sodas and shakes. Stick to water, unsweetened iced tea, or hot tea. You’ll slash hundreds of calories from your meal.
Share or Split Items
Instead of a full tender meal combo, order a couple of sliders, wings, or tenders a la carte. Split with a friend to control portions but still enjoy a variety of items.
Watch Portion Sizes
Stick to the recommended serving sizes instead of overdoing it on tenders or sides. Portion control is key for any higher calorie restaurant meal.
Conclusion
So how many calories are in a Dave’s Hot Chicken tender? A single Medium tender clocks in at 270 calories. Dave’s Hot tenders are slightly higher in calories than other chains due to the double breading method.
While Dave’s Chicken is higher in fat and calories than some alternatives, you can still fit it into a healthy diet with some simple tweaks. Opt for grilled options when possible, control portions and sauces, choose healthier sides, split items, and balance it out across your daily calories.
At the end of the day, fried chicken can absolutely be part of a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation alongside plenty of veggies, fiber, lean protein and healthy fats. By knowing nutrition info like calories per tender and making smart choices, you can satisfy your spicy chicken cravings without overdoing it on calories!
