Raising Cane’s is a popular fast food chicken finger chain with over 600 locations across the United States. Their signature menu item is the 3 finger combo, which consists of 3 chicken fingers, crinkle cut fries, coleslaw, Texas toast, and Cane’s sauce.
For people watching their carb intake, knowing the carb count of menu items is important. In this article, we will analyze the carb content of each component of a Raising Cane’s 3 finger combo to determine the total carb count.
Chicken Fingers
The chicken fingers are the star of the show in a 3 finger combo. Raising Cane’s chicken fingers are made from all-white meat chicken fillets that are marinated, hand battered, and fried.
According to the Raising Cane’s nutrition information, each chicken finger contains 0g carbs. So for the 3 chicken fingers in a 3 finger combo, the carb count is 0g.
Crinkle Cut Fries
The crinkle cut fries at Raising Cane’s are fried in a blend of canola and cottonseed oil. A Cane’s box combo comes with a regular order of crinkle cut fries.
Based on the nutrition information, a regular order of crinkle cut fries contains 48g of total carbohydrates and 3g of dietary fiber. So the net carb count for a regular fry is 45g.
Cole Slaw
Raising Cane’s coleslaw is made from a mix of finely chopped cabbage and carrots combined with Cane’s vegan mayonnaise dressing.
According to the nutrition facts, a side order of Cane’s coleslaw contains 15g total carbohydrates and 2g of fiber. So the net carbs in coleslaw side is 13g.
Texas Toast
No chicken finger meal is complete without a slice of toasted bread. Raising Cane’s serves up traditional Texas toast, thick-cut white bread that is grilled with butter.
The nutrition information shows a slice of Raising Cane’s Texas toast has 15g of total carbs and 1g of fiber. So the net carbs in a slice of Texas toast is 14g.
Cane’s Sauce
The signature Cane’s sauce is a big part of what makes this chicken finger meal special. The tangy, peppery dipping sauce is made with Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, garlic, and other spices.
According to the nutrition facts, a single serving of Cane’s sauce contains 8g of total carbohydrates. It does not contain any fiber, so the net carbs is also 8g.
Total Carb Count
Now let’s add up the net carb counts for each component of a 3 finger combo meal:
| Item | Net Carbs |
| 3 Chicken Fingers | 0g |
| Crinkle Cut Fries | 45g |
| Cole Slaw | 13g |
| Texas Toast | 14g |
| Cane’s Sauce | 8g |
| Total | 80g |
So the total net carb count for a 3 finger combo from Raising Cane’s with a regular fry and all the fixings is approximately 80g.
This meal would make up a significant chunk of a daily low carb diet. Someone following a keto diet would likely want to skip the Texas toast and possibly get a smaller side of fries to cut down the carbs. But overall, this popular fast food chicken meal is lower in carbs than a burger or sandwich combo.
Ways to Reduce Carbs in a 3 Finger Combo
If you want to watch your carb intake but still enjoy some Cane’s chicken fingers, there are ways to reduce the carbs in a 3 finger combo:
– Skip the Texas Toast – eliminates 14g carbs
– Opt for extra fingers instead of toast – adds 0g carbs
– Get a side salad instead of fries – saves 45g carbs
– Get a small order of fries – reduces carbs by about 20g
– Skip the coleslaw – eliminates 13g carbs
– Ask for extra sauce on the side – reduces carbs absorbed
– Eat only half your fries – cuts around 20g carbs
– Share your meal and split the sides – halves the carb counts
With some simple customizations and smart planning, you can enjoy Raising Cane’s chicken fingers on a low carb diet. Just watch the fries, toast, sauce, and coleslaw portions.
Low Carb Sides at Raising Cane’s
If you want to skip the carbs in the fries and coleslaw, here are some low carb options available at Raising Cane’s:
Side Salad
Their Fresh Garden Side Salad with ranch dressing has only 5g net carbs compared to 45g for fries. Get it as a substitution or side item to cut back on carbs.
Extra Chicken Fingers
Add some extra chicken fingers instead of fries or toast to get a serving of protein with 0g carbs.
Mac and Cheese
Surprisingly, the individual mac and cheese side at Cane’s contains only 16g net carbs. It has fewer carbs than their Texas toast or regular fries.
Green Beans
The individual order of seasonal steamed green beans has 5g of net carbs, making it one of the lowest carb veggie sides available.
Mashed Potatoes
While the mashed potatoes do contain 30g net carbs, that’s still 15g less than a regular serving of fries. So this could be a good reduced carb option.
Corn Cobette
Each grilled Corn Cobette has around 13g net carbs. Again, slightly lower than fries or a typical carb-heavy veggie side dish.
Keto Friendly Options
If you’re following a keto diet, your net carb intake for the entire day is usually around 20-50g. Here are some ways to make a Cane’s 3 finger combo keto friendly:
– Get a 3 finger combo with extra fingers instead of Texas toast
– Choose a Fresh Garden Side Salad with ranch instead of fries and coleslaw
– Ask for 2-3 sauces on the side to control how much you use
– Add a Corn Cobette as a side for around 15g net carbs
– Opt for a small serving of mashed potatoes or mac & cheese instead of fries
– Get half a side of green beans with 5g net carbs
Customizing your meal by omitting sandwiches and getting low carb veggie sides and extra fingers can allow you to stay within keto macros while enjoying delicious chicken fingers.
Low Carb Dipping Sauce Options
Raising Cane’s famous Cane’s sauce does contain 8g carbs per serving. If you want to cut back on carbs, try dipping your chicken in one of these lower carb sauces:
Mustard
Yellow mustard or spicy brown mustard both have less than 1g net carb per tablespoon.
Mayonnaise
Cane’s vegan mayo contains 1g net carb per packet, making it a keto-friendly dipping sauce.
Buffalo Sauce
The tangy and spicy buffalo sauce has around 1-2g net carbs per tablespoon, so it’s a great low carb alternative.
Barbecue Sauce
Sticky sweet BBQ sauce averages around 5g net carbs per serving, slightly less than Cane’s sauce.
Ranch
Ranch dip made with dairy and vegetable oil has roughly 1-2g net carbs per tablespoon.
Blue Cheese
Creamy, pungent blue cheese dressing packs a lot of flavor at only 1g carb per tablespoon.
Low Carb Sauce Recipe
You can also make your own quick and easy low carb sauce at home to enjoy with Raising Cane’s chicken fingers:
Ingredients
– 1/2 cup mayonnaise
– 2 tbsp yellow mustard
– 1 minced garlic clove
– 1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
– 1/4 tsp black pepper
– Dash of cayenne pepper
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, worcestershire, black pepper and cayenne.
2. Whisk together until fully mixed.
3. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
This easy homemade sauce mimics the Cane’s sauce flavor with significantly fewer net carbs. You can adjust the ingredients to suit your tastes.
Healthier Carb Alternatives
While the traditional sides at Cane’s are high in carbs, there are some healthier alternatives available that can reduce your carb intake:
Sweet Potato Fries
An order of sweet potato fries contains around 20g net carbs compared to 45g in the regular fries. Sweet potatoes offer more nutrients like vitamin A and fiber.
Fruit Cup
Fresh fruit is a healthy way to get natural sugar and fiber. A fruit cup with melon, grapes, and berries makes a colorful low carb side.
Side Caesar Salad
A side Caesar salad with lean grilled chicken adds protein while keeping net carbs under 10g. Load up on fresh greens and veggies.
Broccoli Florets
Broccoli is packed with vitamin C and fiber while only having 5g net carbs per serving. It’s a nutritious substitution for fries.
Applesauce
Get a sweet fix without extra carbs by choosing unsweetened applesauce, with 12g net carbs per serving. It also offers fiber.
While Raising Cane’s doesn’t offer these healthier carb options, you can create a more balanced meal by choosing nutritious add-ons and substitutions.
Lower Carb Meal Combinations
If you want to eat at Raising Cane’s while reducing your carb intake, here are some meal combinations you can request:
3 Fingers + Side Salad
Order a 3 finger combo with a Fresh Garden Side Salad instead of fries and coleslaw. Top your salad with grilled chicken for added protein.
3 Fingers + Extra Finger + Green Beans
Get a 3 finger meal with an extra finger instead of Texas Toast and add a side of green beans instead of fries.
3 Fingers + Mashed Potatoes + Side Caesar Salad
Substitute a side of mashed potatoes for fries and add a Side Caesar Salad for a healthier balanced meal.
3 Fingers + Mac & Cheese + Corn Cobette
Order the 3 finger combo with mac & cheese and a grilled Corn Cobette for lower carb sides.
3 Finger + Extra Finger + Broccoli Florets
Request an extra finger instead of toast and a side of broccoli florets from another restaurant to make it lower carb.
With smart substitutions and combinations, you can enjoy Raising Cane’s chicken fingers and still watch your carb intake by choosing healthier sides.
Low Carb Dining Tips
Here are some useful low carb eating tips when dining at Raising Cane’s:
– Request nutrition info breakdowns without the meal components to customize your order
– Ask for sauces and dressings on the side to control portions
– Skip the soda and stick with unsweetened beverages like water, tea, or coffee
– Share high carb sides or split your meal with someone else at the table
– Add extra protein like grilled chicken to salads and veggie sides
– Eat slowly and stop when full before over-consuming carbs
– Take home leftovers to avoid carb overages for multiple meals
– Choose grilled, roasted, steamed, or broiled veggie options if available
– Ask for an extra side salad instead of French fries or coleslaw
Following healthy low carb eating habits will help you cut back on carbohydrates while still enjoying your favorite fast food.
Conclusion
A Raising Cane’s 3 finger combo with crinkle cut fries, Texas toast, coleslaw, and Cane’s sauce adds up to around 80g net carbohydrates. By customizing your order with low carb substitutions and combinations, you can reduce the carbs to 40g or less. Skip the toast, get a salad instead of fries, choose lighter dipping sauces, and add extra protein to craft a more keto or low carb meal. With better understanding of the carb counts in menu items, you can still enjoy the delicious flavors of Raising Cane’s chicken fingers without overdoing it on carbohydrates.