Calories in Chicken McNuggets (McDonald's)
Calories, protein, carbohydrate and fat per 100 g and per serving, from the USDA reference database — plus what actually changes the number on your plate.
Short answer
100 g of Chicken McNuggets (McDonald's) contains 302 kcal, with 15.8 g of protein, 15.1 g of carbohydrate and 19.8 g of fat.
A typical serving — 1 piece, about 16 g — is roughly 48 kcal.
That is a fairly calorie-dense food, so portion size matters.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | 1 piece (16 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 302 kcal | 48 kcal |
| Protein | 15.8 g | 2.5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 15.1 g | 2.4 g |
| Sugars | 0.1 g | 0 g |
| Fat | 19.8 g | 3.2 g |
| Saturated fat | 3.3 g | 0.5 g |
| Cholesterol | 44 mg | 7 mg |
| Sodium | 566 mg | 91 mg |
| Potassium | 252 mg | 40 mg |
| Calcium | 11 mg | 2 mg |
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 0.1 mg |
| Vitamin C | 1.2 mg | 0.2 mg |
| Water | 47 g | 8 g |
Calories per serving
| Serving | Weight | Calories | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 piece | 16 g | 48 | 2.5 g | 2.4 g | 3.2 g |
Photograph it instead of looking it up
Wellix identifies Chicken McNuggets on your plate, estimates the portion and logs calories, protein, carbs and fat in seconds. Free to start on iPhone and Android.
Calories by weight
Use this table when you know the weight but not the serving:
| Amount | Calories | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 g | 76 | 3.9 g | 3.8 g | 5 g |
| 50 g | 151 | 7.9 g | 7.5 g | 9.9 g |
| 100 g | 302 | 15.8 g | 15.1 g | 19.8 g |
| 150 g | 453 | 23.7 g | 22.6 g | 29.7 g |
| 200 g | 604 | 31.6 g | 30.2 g | 39.6 g |
| 250 g | 755 | 39.5 g | 37.7 g | 49.5 g |
| 300 g | 906 | 47.4 g | 45.3 g | 59.4 g |
Where the calories come from
Calories come from three macronutrients: protein and carbohydrate at 4 kcal per gram, fat at 9 kcal per gram. For Chicken McNuggets (McDonald's) the split is:
- Protein: 15.8 g × 4 = 63 kcal — 21% of calories
- Carbohydrates: 15.1 g × 4 = 60 kcal — 20% of calories
- Fat: 19.8 g × 9 = 178 kcal — 59% of calories
- Most of the energy in Chicken McNuggets (McDonald's) comes from fat (59% of calories).
- With 15.8 g of protein per 100 g it counts as a high-protein food.
- That is 5.2 g of protein per 100 kcal — a useful number when protein is your target.
- For 200 kcal you can eat about 65 g.
What actually changes the number
McNuggets are 302 kcal per 100 g, about 48 kcal each: a 6-piece is 290 kcal, a 10-piece 480, a 20-piece 960. Each sauce sachet adds 30–110.
How accurate are these numbers?
The values on this page are reference averages from the USDA FoodData Central database (SR Legacy release), measured on samples of Chicken McNuggets as sold and prepared in the United States. Your portion will differ: produce varies by variety and ripeness, meat by cut and trim, and anything cooked by the fat and water it gained or lost.
For most foods the per-100 g figure is reliable to within about 10%. The larger uncertainty is almost always the weight of what is on your plate and the cooking fat you cannot see — the two things worth checking before you worry about the database.
How accurate are AI calorie counting apps? →
Related foods
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Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in 100 g of Chicken McNuggets?
100 g of Chicken McNuggets (McDonald's) contains 302 kcal (15.8 g protein, 15.1 g carbohydrate, 19.8 g fat), according to USDA reference data.
How many calories are in a serving of Chicken McNuggets?
A typical serving of Chicken McNuggets — 1 piece, about 16 g — has roughly 48 kcal. Weigh your own portion once to see how it compares; serving sizes vary more than the food does.
How much protein is in Chicken McNuggets?
Chicken McNuggets (McDonald's): 15.8 g of protein per 100 g, which is high. Foods above about 15–20 g per 100 g, or where protein supplies a third or more of the calories, are usually considered high-protein.
What amount of Chicken McNuggets equals 200 kcal?
At 302 kcal per 100 g, about 65 g of Chicken McNuggets equals 200 kcal.
Can I track Chicken McNuggets by taking a photo?
Yes. A photo calorie app like Wellix identifies Chicken McNuggets on the plate and estimates the portion from the image. The estimate is most accurate when you confirm the weight or the count, and tell the app about anything the camera cannot see — cooking oil, butter, dressings and sauces.
Source
Nutrition data: U.S. Department of Agriculture, FoodData Central — SR Legacy, FDC ID 173297: "McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS". Values are per 100 g of edible portion. Serving weights are USDA household measures or typical retail sizes; check the label where one exists. View the USDA record.
Wellix provides general nutrition information and is not medical advice. Nutrition values are reference averages and individual foods vary. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes.
Photograph it instead of looking it up
Wellix identifies Chicken McNuggets on your plate, estimates the portion and logs calories, protein, carbs and fat in seconds. Free to start on iPhone and Android.
