Chick-fil-A is a popular fast food chain known for its chicken sandwiches and nuggets. One of their most popular menu items is the 8-count nugget meal, which comes with 8 chicken nuggets, a side, and a drink. But how many calories are actually in this meal?
Calories in 8 Chick-fil-A Nuggets
The 8-count chick-fil-A nuggets contain 440 calories total. Each chick-fil-A nugget contains around 55 calories. Here is a breakdown of the nutrition facts for 8 chick-fil-A nuggets:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 440 |
| Total Fat | 24g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 80mg |
| Sodium | 1280mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Sugars | 0g |
| Protein | 28g |
As you can see, just the 8-piece nuggets alone contain 440 calories. This is mainly coming from the fat and protein in the fried chicken batter coating the nuggets. Now let’s take a look at the calories for the entire meal…
Calories in an 8 Nugget Chick-fil-A Meal
A typical 8-piece chick-fil-A nugget meal includes the 8-piece nuggets, a side, and a drink. This means the total calorie count will depend on what you choose for the side and drink.
Here are some common options for the side and drink, along with their calorie counts:
| Side Option | Calories |
|---|---|
| Small Waffle Potato Fries | 270 |
| Small Mac & Cheese | 260 |
| Side Salad with Buttermilk Ranch | 180 |
| Chicken Noodle Soup | 120 |
| Fruit Cup | 60 |
| Drink Option | Calories |
|---|---|
| Small Coke | 150 |
| Small Diet Coke | 0 |
| Small Sweet Tea | 130 |
| Small Lemonade | 190 |
| Small Milk | 150 |
Adding the calories from a typical side and drink to the 440 calories from the 8-piece nuggets gives us the total calories for a full meal:
- 8 Nuggets (440 calories) + Small Fries (270 calories) + Small Coke (150 calories) = 860 total calories
- 8 Nuggets (440 calories) + Mac & Cheese (260 calories) + Sweet Tea (130 calories) = 830 total calories
- 8 Nuggets (440 calories) + Side Salad (180 calories) + Lemonade (190 calories) = 810 total calories
As you can see, a full 8-piece chick-fil-A nugget meal contains around 800-860 calories depending on your choices. The nuggets themselves make up the bulk of the calories, while the side and drink add 150-420 more calories on average.
Ways to Reduce the Calories in a Chick-fil-A Nugget Meal
If you’re looking for ways to cut some calories from your 8-piece chick-fil-A nugget meal, here are some tips:
- Opt for a lower calorie side like a fruit cup instead of fries
- Choose a calorie-free diet soda rather than a sugary regular soda
- Requestsauces and dressings on the side to control how much you use
- Split the 8-piece nuggets with a friend to reduce portion size
- Substitute grilled chicken nuggets instead of fried to cut calories
- Order a 4-piece nugget kid’s meal for a smaller portion
- Avoid adding extra dips or toppings that can pile on calories
You can also customize your nugget meal when ordering to get it just how you like – feel free to substitute the side and drink or remove items you don’t want. Getting a salad instead of fries and opting for diet soda can save you 200-400 calories off a traditional nugget meal.
Nutritional Value of Chick-fil-A Nuggets
While chick-fil-A nuggets are high in calories, fat, and sodium, they do provide some nutritional value:
- Protein: The 8-piece nuggets contain 28g of protein. Protein helps build muscle mass and keeps you feeling fuller longer.
- Iron: Chick-fil-A nuggets contain 10% of the daily recommended iron. Iron carries oxygen throughout the body and supports a healthy immune system.
- Vitamin A: The nugget batter is made with enriched flour containing vitamin A. Vitamin A supports eye health and boosts immunity.
- Calcium: The nugget batter also contains calcium which helps strengthen bones and teeth.
The nuggets offer more nutritional value than just empty calories from fat or carbs. The protein makes them filling, while vitamins and minerals provide other health benefits. However, the high sodium content can be a concern for some.
Chick-fil-A Nugget Ingredients
Chick-fil-A nuggets start with whole chicken breast meat with rib meat added. The nuggets are then coated in a battered containing:
- Enriched flour (niacin, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Yellow corn flour
- Salt
- Sugar
- Spices
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Soybean oil
- Dextrose
- Leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate)
The nuggets are fried in a blended oil of soybean oil, canola oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, and hydrogenated soybean oil. The ingredients help give the nuggets their crispy, seasoned batter coating surrounding the juicy chicken inside.
Are Chick-fil-A Nuggets Healthy?
While chick-fil-A nuggets do provide some nutritional value, they would not be considered a “healthy” food option due to the high amount of calories, fat, and sodium they contain. Some downsides of chick-fil-A nuggets include:
- High in sodium – 8-piece nuggets contain 1280mg sodium (over half the daily recommended limit).
- Fried rather than grilled – the fried preparation adds extra calories and fat.
- Heavily processed – while made with real chicken, the nuggets are chopped, shaped, battered and fried during processing.
- Refined carbs – batter contains enriched flour rather than whole grains.
However, chick-fil-A nuggets can be part of a balanced diet when eaten in moderation. Some tips for healthy enjoyment include:
- Order a 4 or 6-piece nugget kid’s meal to control portions.
- Eat nuggets only occasionally as a treat, not daily.
- Pair with healthier sides like a salad or fruit cup.
- Share nuggets with others rather than eating a full serving yourself.
- Opt for grilled nuggets to reduce fat and calories.
Overall, while not the most nutritious choice, chick-fil-A nuggets can be incorporated into your diet in moderation along with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains.
Allergens in Chick-fil-A Nuggets
Chick-fil-A nuggets contain the following major food allergens:
- Wheat: The battered coating contains enriched wheat flour. Those with celiac disease or wheat allergies should avoid.
- Soybean: The frying oil contains soybean oil. Can be an issue for those allergic to soy.
- Milk: While the nuggets themselves are dairy-free, they are cooked in oil that may contain trace amounts of milk protein from other menu items. Those with severe milk allergy should exercise caution.
Those with non-celiac wheat sensitivity or soy and milk allergies should also take precautions, as trace amounts from frying oil may trigger reactions in highly sensitive individuals.
Conclusion
An 8-piece chick-fil-A nugget meal contains around 800-860 calories depending on your side and drink choice. The nuggets themselves are high in fat, sodium and protein. While not the healthiest menu option, chick-fil-A nuggets can be incorporated into a balanced diet in moderation. Look for ways to customize your meal to make it healthier, like opting for a salad and splitting the nuggets. Overall, being aware of portion sizes and nutrients can help you enjoy the occasional chick-fil-A nugget meal as part of a varied, healthy diet.