The Chick-fil-A Chicken Deluxe sandwich is a popular menu item at the fast food restaurant chain. For those watching their calorie intake, knowing the nutrition information for menu items is important. So how many calories are in a Chick-fil-A Chicken Deluxe sandwich?
Calories in a Chick-fil-A Chicken Deluxe
According to the Chick-fil-A website, a Chicken Deluxe sandwich contains 510 calories. Here is a breakdown of the calorie content:
- Chicken Filet – 320 calories
- Bun – 250 calories
- Pickles – 0 calories
- Lettuce – 0 calories
- Tomato – 0 calories
So the chicken filet and bun make up the majority of calories at 570 calories total. The pickles, lettuce, and tomato contain minimal calories.
Nutrition Facts for Chick-fil-A Chicken Deluxe
Here are the complete nutrition facts for a Chick-fil-A Chicken Deluxe sandwich:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 510 |
| Total Fat | 16g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Trans Fat | 0.5g |
| Cholesterol | 115mg |
| Sodium | 1280mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 46g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 6g |
| Protein | 28g |
As you can see from the nutrition label, the Chicken Deluxe packs 16g of total fat, 46g of carbs, and 28g of protein. It also contains a considerable amount of sodium at 1280mg.
How the Calories Compare to Other Chick-fil-A Sandwiches
The Chicken Deluxe is on the higher end of the calorie spectrum compared to other Chick-fil-A sandwiches. Here’s how it compares:
- Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich – 440 calories
- Chick-fil-A Spicy Chicken Sandwich – 460 calories
- Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwich – 320 calories
- Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Club – 350 calories
The original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich and Spicy Chicken Sandwich have around 440-460 calories. The grilled chicken options range from 320-350 calories. So the Chicken Deluxe exceeds these other sandwiches by 70-190 calories.
Lower Calorie Options at Chick-fil-A
For lower calorie sandwich options, order one of the grilled chicken sandwiches without the bread. A grilled chicken filet by itself contains just 120 calories. You can also create a salad with grilled or fried chicken.
The Chick-fil-A Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken contains just 220 calories. The Cobb Salad with Grilled Chicken has 320 calories. The Spicy Southwest Salad with Fried Chicken has 350 calories.
So there are ways to cut calories at Chick-fil-A if needed. But theChicken Deluxe sandwich does pack a caloric punch at 510 calories.
How Many Calories You Should Eat Per Day
To maintain a healthy weight, the general recommendation is to consume around 2,000 calories per day. But your specific calorie needs vary based on age, gender, activity level and other factors. Here’s a breakdown of estimated calorie needs:
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Child (4-8 years) | 1,200-1,600 | 1,200-1,400 |
| Pre-Teen (9-13 years) | 1,600-2,000 | 1,400-1,600 |
| Teen (14-18 years) | 1,800-2,400 | 1,400-2,000 |
| Adult (19-30 years) | 2,400-3,000 | 2,000-2,200 |
| Adult (31-50 years) | 2,200-3,000 | 1,800-2,200 |
| Adult (51+ years) | 2,000-2,800 | 1,600-2,200 |
As you can see, adult women generally need around 2,000 calories per day to maintain weight. For adult men, closer to 2,500 calories is recommended. Older adults need fewer calories.
One Chicken Deluxe Contains 25% of Calories for Women
Looking at the calories in one Chick-fil-A Chicken Deluxe, it contains about 25% of the recommended daily calories for an adult woman trying to maintain her weight. For men, the Chicken Deluxe provides about 20% of the recommended calories.
So the sandwich is quite high in calories compared to total daily needs. Someone would need to account for the 510 calories by eating lighter meals and snacks for the rest of the day.
Tips for Consuming the Chicken Deluxe as Part of a Healthy Diet
While the Chicken Deluxe is high in calories, fat, and sodium, it can be consumed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet. Here are some tips:
- Split the sandwich in half and share it or save half for another meal.
- Pair it with a low calorie side like a fruit cup rather than fries.
- Order a kid’s size Chicken Deluxe, which cuts calories in half.
- Avoid adding extras like cheese, bacon or sauces which will add even more calories.
- Drink water or unsweetened tea rather than soda.
- Exercise portion control for the rest of the day.
Being mindful about what you eat with the Chicken Deluxe and exercising portion control can help keep your daily calorie intake in check.
Healthier Alternatives to the Chicken Deluxe
If you are looking for healthier sandwich options at Chick-fil-A, consider these:
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich – 320 calories
- Grilled Chicken Club – 350 calories
- Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap – 340 calories
- Grilled Nuggets – 140 calories for 8 pieces
- Greek Yogurt Parfait – 140 calories
- Fruit Cup – 60-100 calories
These grilled chicken options cut calories approximately in half compared to the Chicken Deluxe. And the yogurt, fruit, and salad choices make for lighter, more nutritious meals.
Should You Eat a Chick-fil-A Chicken Deluxe Every Day?
At 510 calories each, eating a Chicken Deluxe every day would not be recommended, especially if you are trying to maintain a calorie deficit for weight loss. One Chicken Deluxe contains about 25-30% of the total calories an average adult needs daily.
To keep the sandwich as an occasional treat in your diet, limit yourself to no more than once or twice per week. Have it on days when the rest of your meals are light and you are able to burn extra calories through activity.
Eating a Chicken Deluxe as your regular lunch every work day would add an extra 2,550-5,100 calories to your diet each week, likely leading to weight gain over time. It’s best to keep indulgences like this in moderation.
Conclusion
The Chick-fil-A Chicken Deluxe is one of the higher calorie sandwich choices at the restaurant, packing 510 calories and 16g of fat. While not a diet-friendly option, it can be consumed occasionally in moderation alongside an overall balanced diet and active lifestyle. To make it healthier, opt for a kid’s portion, share it, or pair it with lighter sides and skip sugary drinks.
Chick-fil-A does offer lower calorie grilled chicken sandwiches, salads, and sides for those looking for better-for-you choices. In terms of daily calorie needs, one Chicken Deluxe makes up about 25% of the average adult female’s recommended intake for the day. So enjoy this tasty sandwich in moderation as part of an active, healthy lifestyle.
