McDonald’s crispy chicken sandwich is a popular menu item that people often enjoy as a lower-calorie alternative to burgers and sandwiches made with beef or pork. But exactly how many calories are in a McDonald’s crispy chicken sandwich? In this in-depth article, we will examine the calorie count and full nutrition facts for a standard McDonald’s crispy chicken sandwich.
The Basics: What’s in a McDonald’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich?
First, let’s look at what’s included in a typical McDonald’s crispy chicken sandwich:
- Bun: The sandwich comes on a regular white flour bun. A standard McDonald’s hamburger bun has around 150 calories.
- Chicken patty: The crispy chicken patty provides the bulk of the calories. A standard chicken patty contains around 320 calories.
- Lettuce: The sandwich is topped with a couple of small lettuce leaves, adding minimal calories.
- Mayonnaise: Around 1-2 tablespoons of mayo are included, adding roughly 100 calories.
Based on these main ingredients alone, we can estimate the basic calorie count of a McDonald’s crispy chicken sandwich to be around 570 calories. However, there are additional factors that can alter the final calorie total.
Calories Can Vary Between Menu Options
McDonald’s offers the crispy chicken sandwich in different varieties, which can impact the calorie count:
- Regular Crispy Chicken Sandwich – The standard version with lettuce and mayo described above has around 570 calories.
- Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich – The spicy version adds a sriracha sauce, adding roughly 50 more calories for a total of 620 calories.
- Crispy Chicken Sandwich Deluxe – This premium version includes extras like tomato and leaf lettuce, adding around 10-20 more calories for around 590 calories.
So when determining the calories for a McDonald’s crispy chicken sandwich, be sure to account for any specialty sauces or additional toppings that may be included in the particular menu item.
Sandwich Size Impacts Calories
McDonald’s serves the crispy chicken sandwich in different sizes, which impacts the calorie count:
- Regular Size – The nutrition info provided above is for the standard regular size sandwich.
- Snack Size – A smaller sized junior sandwich likely contains around 420 calories.
- Large Size – A deluxe sandwich served as a larger ‘extra value meal’ may contain around 650-700 calories.
As you might expect, the bigger the sandwich, the more calories it will provide. A snack, junior, or kid-sized crispy chicken sandwich will have a calorie count on the lower end of the range, while a deluxe or extra value meal sandwich will be on the higher end.
Calorie Range Summary
Given all the possible variables – type of sandwich, size, and added toppings – here is a summary of the typical calorie range for a McDonald’s crispy chicken sandwich:
- Snack Size: Around 420 calories
- Regular Size: 570-620 calories
- Large/Deluxe: Around 650-700 calories
So in most cases, expect a McDonald’s crispy chicken sandwich to provide between 420-700 calories, depending on the exact menu option.
Full Nutrition Facts for a McDonald’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Now that we’ve estimated the calorie count, let’s look at the full nutrition facts for a regular crispy chicken sandwich from McDonald’s:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 570 |
| Fat | 23g |
| Carbohydrates | 51g |
| Protein | 25g |
| Sodium | 1280mg |
| Sugar | 6g |
As you can see, while the crispy chicken sandwich is lower in calories than a Big Mac or Quarter Pounder, it still packs a decent amount of fat, carbs, and sodium. The protein content is a plus at 25g per sandwich.
How the Crispy Chicken Sandwich Compares Nutritionally
Here is how the nutrition facts for a regular crispy chicken sandwich compare to some other McDonald’s menu items:
- Big Mac: 563 calories, 25g fat, 45g carbs, 25g protein
- Quarter Pounder: 520 calories, 28g fat, 33g carbs, 25g protein
- Filet-O-Fish: 383 calories, 17g fat, 38g carbs, 16g protein
- McChicken: 380 calories, 16g fat, 33g carbs, 18g protein
As you can see, the crispy chicken sandwich contains more calories, fat, and carbs than the Filet-O-Fish or McChicken. However it has more protein than those options. Compared to the Big Mac and Quarter Pounder, it is lower in calories but has a similar amount of protein and more carbs.
Tips for Making Your Crispy Chicken Sandwich Healthier
If you want to reduce the calories, fat, or sodium in your crispy chicken sandwich, here are some tips:
- Ask for no mayo or sauce
- Order the snack or junior size
- Opt for grilled chicken instead of crispy fried
- Load up on lettuce, tomato, and other veggies
- Skip the fries and soda as sides
- Use mustard instead of mayo for moisture
- Share with a friend to reduce portion size
Implementing some of these tweaks can save you anywhere from 50-200 calories per sandwich. Small changes add up fast!
Healthier Sides and Drinks
To make your overall McDonald’s meal healthier:
- Sides: Instead of fries, choose apple slices, a side salad, or yogurt.
- Drink: Skip sugary sodas and have water or unsweetened tea instead.
Is the Crispy Chicken Sandwich Healthy Overall?
While the crispy chicken sandwich is one of the lower calorie entrees at McDonald’s, it is still a fried, fast food item. So it should be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet. Going for grilled chicken and eliminating sugary drinks and fried sides will help make it a healthier option when dining at McDonald’s.
Other Questions and Answers
Is the crispy chicken sandwich healthier than a Big Mac?
Yes, the crispy chicken sandwich generally contains fewer calories (around 570 calories vs 563 calories), less fat, and fewer carbs than a Big Mac.
Is the McDonald’s crispy chicken sandwich gluten free?
No, McDonald’s crispy chicken sandwich is not gluten free. It contains wheat in the breaded chicken patty and the sesame seed bun, so it contains gluten.
Does McDonald’s have a grilled chicken sandwich?
Yes, McDonald’s also offers a grilled chicken sandwich. The grilled chicken version contains fewer calories (around 340) and less fat compared to the crispy fried chicken sandwich.
Is McDonald’s crispy chicken real chicken?
Yes, McDonald’s states that the crispy chicken sandwich is made with 100% real chicken breast meat that is breaded and fried. No fillers or artificial ingredients are used in the chicken.
Which is healthier: Wendy’s or McDonald’s chicken sandwich?
Wendy’s grilled chicken sandwich is slightly healthier with around 330 calories. McDonald’s grilled chicken sandwich has 340 calories. For fried chicken sandwiches, McDonald’s has around 570 calories while Wendy’s has around 530 calories.
The Bottom Line
A McDonald’s crispy chicken sandwich contains between 420-700 calories, depending on size and toppings. While it’s lower in calories than a Big Mac or Quarter Pounder, it still packs a decent amount of fat, carbs, and sodium as a fried fast food item. Enjoy it occasionally as part of an overall healthy diet, and opt for grilled chicken or smaller sizes to make it a healthier choice.
