A 8 piece chicken nuggets from Burger King contains approximately 320 calories. This is based on the nutrition information provided on the Burger King website for their standard chicken nuggets. Specifically, a 4 piece chicken nuggets contains 160 calories. So an 8 piece order, which is double a 4 piece order, would contain around 320 calories (160 x 2 = 320).
Nutrition Facts for Burger King Chicken Nuggets
Here are the key nutrition facts for Burger King’s standard chicken nuggets according to the information provided on their website:
- Serving Size: 4 pieces (86g)
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 9g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Carbs: 11g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 8g
As you can see, a 4 piece serving contains 160 calories. There are 9 grams of fat, 320 milligrams of sodium, 11 grams of carbohydrates, and 8 grams of protein. Since there are no sugars, the carbs come mainly from starch.
Calculating Calories for 8 Pieces
To determine the calories for 8 pieces of chicken nuggets, we simply double the amount that is in a 4 piece serving:
- 4 pieces = 160 calories
- 8 pieces = 160 x 2 = 320 calories
So an 8 piece chicken nuggets from Burger King contains approximately 320 calories. This gives us the quick answer to our original question.
Full Nutrition Profile for 8 Piece Order
We can also double the full nutrition information to determine the complete nutritional profile for an 8 piece order of chicken nuggets from Burger King:
| Nutrient | 4 piece (86g) | 8 piece (172g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 160 | 320 |
| Fat | 9g | 18g |
| Sodium | 320mg | 640mg |
| Carbs | 11g | 22g |
| Sugar | 0g | 0g |
| Protein | 8g | 16g |
As shown in this nutrition table for an 8 piece order, you would be getting about 320 calories, 18 grams of fat, 640 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of carbs, and 16 grams of protein.
How Burger King Chicken Nuggets are Made
To understand the calories and nutrition information in Burger King’s chicken nuggets, it helps to know a bit about how they are made:
- They start with small pieces of real white meat chicken breast that are chopped, seasoned, and coated in a typical chicken nugget breading.
- The breading generally contains flour, starch, spices, and salt. This adds carbohydrates and sodium to the nutrition profile.
- The pieces are formed into the iconic oblong nugget shape then cooked by frying in vegetable oil. This adds a significant amount of fat calories.
- Other ingredients like milk derivatives and leavening agents may also be added. These contribute additional carbs, calories, and fat.
So while Burger King chicken nuggets start from lean protein from chicken breast meat, the breading, frying, and other ingredients add the carbohydrates, fats, sodium, and calories you see reflected in the nutrition information.
Comparing Burger King Chicken Nuggets to Other Fast Food Restaurants
How do Burger King’s chicken nuggets compare calorie and nutrition-wise to nuggets from other major fast food chains?
Here is a table comparing a 4 piece serving of chicken nuggets from Burger King, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s:
| Restaurant | Calories | Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Sodium (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burger King | 160 | 9 | 11 | 320 |
| McDonald’s | 180 | 10 | 11 | 290 |
| Wendy’s | 180 | 10 | 16 | 420 |
As you can see, Burger King’s chicken nuggets are reasonably comparable to competitors, with slightly lower calories than McDonald’s and Wendy’s for a 4 piece serving. Wendy’s nuggets have noticeably higher carbs and sodium however.
Factors Affecting Calorie Content
Why do fast food chicken nuggets all have fairly similar calorie counts? Here are some of the key factors that affect the calorie content in chicken nuggets:
- Chicken: Nuggets start from chicken breast meat which provides protein and minimal fat.
- Breading: The breaded coating adds carbohydrate calories and some fat when fried.
- Frying: Frying in oil adds a significant amount of fat and calories.
- Portion size: Number and size of pieces impact overall calories.
Since most fast food chains use a similar frying method and breading, the differences mainly come down to small variations in chicken breast meat amounts and portion sizes.
Tips for Making Burger King Chicken Nuggets Healthier
While Burger King’s standard chicken nuggets are reasonably low in calories, they do still contain refined carbs, sodium, and saturated fat from frying. Here are some tips for making your chicken nuggets order healthier:
Size Down Portions
Get a smaller 4 or 6 piece order instead of large 10 or 20 piece portions to cut excess calories, carbs, fat, and sodium.
Skip Sugary Dips and Sauces
Burger King’s sweet honey mustard, BBQ sauce, and ketchup can add sugar and a significant amount of calories. Order nuggets with diet soda instead of sugary sauce.
Choose Grilled Versions
Some locations may offer grilled chicken nuggets which cut almost in half the calories and fat that come from frying.
Try Healthier Side Options
Pair your nuggets with lower calorie options like apple slices or garden side salad instead of fries for a more balanced meal.
Healthier Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets
To take total control over ingredients and nutrition, you can also easily make healthier baked chicken nuggets right at home. Here is a simple recipe:
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
- Eggs
- Breadcrumbs
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika
Instructions
- Season chicken pieces with desired spices.
- Coat pieces in egg wash.
- Roll pieces in breadcrumbs.
- Place on baking sheet.
- Bake at 450F for 15 minutes, flipping halfway.
Homemade baked chicken nuggets will be lower in calories, carbs, and fat compared to fried fast food versions. And you can control ingredients like using whole wheat breadcrumbs and no-sugar-added ketchup dip.
Nutrition Tips for Overall Healthy Eating
While an 8 piece chicken nuggets order from Burger King is reasonable as an occasional fast food treat, for your overall health it is important to focus on eating a balanced diet with plenty of healthier whole foods. Here are some general healthy eating tips:
Increase Vegetables
Aim for at least 2-3 servings of vegetables at every meal to get fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Choose Whole Grains
Opt for minimally processed whole grain breads, rice, oats, and other grains instead of refined carbs when possible.
Pick Lean Protein
Include low fat protein sources like chicken, fish, eggs, beans, and legumes in meals and snacks.
Limit Added Sugar
Cut back on sugary sodas, desserts, and condiments and instead satisfy sweet cravings with fruit.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water, aiming for the recommended 8 cups per day minimum.
The Bottom Line
In summary, an 8 piece serving of chicken nuggets from Burger King contains approximately 320 calories and provides protein, carbs, and fat. The amount of calories is reasonable compared to other fast food chain options. To make it healthier, customize your order with smaller portions, no sugary sauce, and better sides. And balance occasional fast food with an overall diet focused on whole foods like veggies, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains.
