How much calories does golden chick have?

Golden Chick is a popular fried chicken restaurant chain in the Southern United States. With over 185 locations across Texas, Oklahoma, and other states, Golden Chick serves up fried chicken, tenders, sandwiches, sides, and more.

Many people enjoy Golden Chick’s tasty fried fare. However, with fried foods often being higher in calories, some customers wonder just how many calories are in Golden Chick menu items. Knowing the calorie counts can help consumers make informed choices when dining at Golden Chick.

In this comprehensive guide, we will provide the calorie counts for all main menu categories at Golden Chick: chicken, sandwiches, sides, salads, desserts, and drinks. Read on to learn the calorie content in your favorite Golden Chick meals and sides.

Calories in Golden Chick Fried Chicken

Golden Chick is best known for its hand-breaded, freshly prepared fried chicken. Fried chicken is often higher in calories, but the exact counts can vary depending on the cut of chicken and preparation method. Here are the calorie counts for Golden Chick’s fried chicken offerings:

Menu Item Calories
2 Piece Leg & Thigh Combo 790
3 Piece Mixed Combo 1,030
4 Piece Mixed Combo 1,180
6 Piece Meal 1,520
8 Piece Meal 1,840
12 Piece Meal 2,530
16 Piece Meal 3,060
20 Piece Meal 3,700
Chicken Tenders (3 pieces) 420
Chicken Tenders (5 pieces) 640

As you can see, calorie counts for Golden Chick’s fried chicken range from 420 calories for a 3-piece tender meal up to 3,700 calories for a 20-piece meal. In general, the more pieces you order, the more calories you will consume.

Calories vary slightly depending on the cut of chicken. For example, a chicken thigh with skin will have slightly more calories than a chicken breast without skin. But all cuts of Golden Chick fried chicken are higher in calories due to being breaded and fried in oil.

Calories in Golden Chick Sandwiches & Wraps

In addition to bone-in fried chicken, Golden Chick also offers a variety of sandwiches and wraps made with breaded chicken fillets, tenders, or grilled chicken. Here are the calorie counts for Golden Chick’s sandwiches and wraps:

Menu Item Calories
Classic Chicken Sandwich 670
Spicy Chicken Sandwich 720
Club Sandwich 830
Chicken Bacon Swiss Sandwich 810
Chicken Tender Sandwich 760
Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap 950
Chicken Caesar Wrap 760
Asian Chicken Wrap 790
Santa Fe Chicken Wrap 820
Chicken Fajita Pita 650

Sandwiches and wraps at Golden Chick contain anywhere from 650 calories for a Chicken Fajita Pita up to 950 calories for a Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap. The chicken fillets and fried tenders add a lot of calories, as does cheese and condiments like ranch and bacon. Going with grilled chicken or lighter sauces and toppings will cut down on calories for sandwiches and wraps.

Calories in Golden Chick Sides

What would fried chicken be without yummy sides like fries, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and biscuits? Here are the calorie counts for sides at Golden Chick:

Menu Item Calories
French Fries 370
Cheesy Fries 510
Onion Rings 500
Fried Okra 230
Green Beans 180
Corn Niblets 230
Mashed Potatoes with Gravy 320
Mac & Cheese 320
Cole Slaw 320
Potato Salad 320
Biscuit (1) 460

French fries, onion rings, and cheesy fries are some of the highest calorie sides at Golden Chick, ranging from 370-510 calories. Healthier options like green beans and corn niblets are around 180-230 calories. And biscuits pack a whopping 460 calories each. Choosing lighter sides like green beans and passing on the biscuit will save you calories with your Golden Chick meal.

Calories in Golden Chick Salads

For a lighter option, Golden Chick has a small selection of salads topped with grilled or fried chicken. Here are the calorie counts:

Menu Item Calories
Side Salad 160
Chicken Fajita Salad with Grilled Chicken 490
Chicken Fajita Salad with Spicy Fried Chicken 730
California Chicken Salad with Grilled Chicken 490
California Chicken Salad with Crispy Chicken 680
Chef Salad with Grilled Chicken 470
Chef Salad with Spicy Fried Chicken 690
Chicken Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken 490
Chicken Caesar Salad with Spicy Fried Chicken 760

A side salad with just lettuce, veggies, cheese, and dressing comes in at 160 calories. The chicken salads with crispy or spicy fried chicken range from 680-760 calories. Opting for salads with grilled chicken cuts about 200 calories. Avoiding fried toppings like tortilla strips or fried chicken will also reduce the calorie count.

Calories in Golden Chick Desserts

If you have room for dessert after polishing off fried chicken and sides, Golden Chick offers several sweet treats. Here are the calorie counts:

Menu Item Calories
Brownie 470
Cookie 260
Peach Cobbler 330
Banana Pudding 320

These desserts range from 260 calories for a cookie up to 470 calories for a rich, fudgy brownie. The peach cobbler and banana pudding fall in the lower 300-calorie range. Dessert can round out your meal if you have the calories to spare. Or you can opt for a lighter dessert like a cookie or side of fruit.

Calories in Golden Chick Drinks

To wash down all that fried deliciousness, here are the calorie counts in Golden Chick beverages:

Menu Item Calories
Soft Drinks 0-300
Iced Tea 0-180
Flavored Iced Tea 100-150
Lemonade 180-200
Sweet Tea 200
Milk 100
Chocolate Milk 160

Beverages like soft drinks, sweet tea, and lemonade have around 200 calories per medium or large size. Opting for diet soft drinks cuts calories significantly, or choose unsweetened iced tea for just 5-10 calories. Milk and chocolate milk ring in around 100-160 calories. Getting a smaller size or water with your meal will reduce beverage calories.

Low Calorie Menu Options at Golden Chick

To recap, here are some of the lowest calorie menu items at Golden Chick to help limit your calorie intake:

– 3 Piece Chicken Tenders – 420 calories
– Side Salad – 160 calories
– Green Beans – 180 calories
– Corn Niblets – 230 calories
– Grilled Chicken Sandwiches and Wraps – 650-700 calories
– Chicken Salads with Grilled Chicken – 470-490 calories
– Diet Soft Drinks – 0 calories
– Unsweetened Iced Tea – 0-5 calories

Sticking to grilled chicken, lighter sides, and salads without fried toppings will keep your meal under 500 calories in most cases. Pair this with unsweetened tea or water and you have a lower calorie Golden Chick meal.

Avoid creamy, cheesy, or fried menu items like biscuits, mashed potatoes, chicken sandwiches with bacon and ranch, breaded wraps, and fried chicken salads to limit calorie intake. Going for a smaller 3 or 4 piece fried chicken meal instead of a large bucket will also cut calories.

Healthy Eating Tips for Golden Chick

Here are some expert tips for eating healthy and watching your calorie intake when dining at Golden Chick:

– Opt for grilled chicken sandwiches or salads instead of fried chicken. Remove skin and breading to reduce calories significantly.

– Choose lighter sides like corn, green beans, or side salads. Avoid fries, biscuits, creamy sides, and cheesy toppings.

– Skip sugary soft drinks and go for water or unsweetened tea.

– Ask for all sauces and dressings on the side to control portions.

– Share a meal or take half home for leftovers to reduce portions and calories.

– Compare calorie counts for fried vs. grilled chicken, creamy vs. low fat sauces, etc. and choose the lighter options.

– Don’t feel obligated to finish sides if you get full. Take leftovers home.

– Allow yourself an occasional small treat like a cookie but skip high-calorie items like brownies, shakes, etc.

While fried chicken and hearty sides will always be higher in calories, you can enjoy Golden Chick guilt-free by customizing your meal, watching portions, and choosing lighter menu items most of the time.

Conclusion

Golden Chick is a tasty destination for comfort food classics like fried chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes and more. However, the calorie counts can quickly climb when indulging in these crave-worthy yet fried and sodium-laden options.

By using this guide to understand the calories in Golden Chick menu items, you can still enjoy your favorites while making smart swaps like grilled chicken, lighter sides, and skipping high-calorie drinks. Limit portions of fried entrees and sides. And balance an occasional indulgent meal with healthier everyday choices.

Knowledge is power when it comes to your food choices. Use the detailed calorie counts provided to build your own lower calorie meal next time you visit Golden Chick. Now you can keep your healthy eating goals on track when you crave that delicious Southern fried comfort food.

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