Calories in chicken nuggets (fast food)
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 nuggets (fast food) contains 307 kcal, with 15.9 g of protein, 14.9 g of carbohydrate and 20.4 g of fat.
A typical serving — 1 piece, about 16 g — is roughly 49 kcal.
That is a fairly calorie-dense food, so portion size matters.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | 1 piece (16 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 307 kcal | 49 kcal |
| Protein | 15.9 g | 2.5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14.9 g | 2.4 g |
| Sugars | 0.1 g | 0 g |
| Fibre | 0.9 g | 0.1 g |
| Fat | 20.4 g | 3.3 g |
| Saturated fat | 3.6 g | 0.6 g |
| Cholesterol | 55 mg | 9 mg |
| Sodium | 594 mg | 95 mg |
| Potassium | 251 mg | 40 mg |
| Calcium | 11 mg | 2 mg |
| Iron | 0.8 mg | 0.1 mg |
| Vitamin C | 0.6 mg | 0.1 mg |
| Water | 47 g | 7 g |
Calories per serving
| Serving | Weight | Calories | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 piece | 16 g | 49 | 2.5 g | 2.4 g | 3.3 g |
Photograph it instead of looking it up
Wellix identifies chicken nuggets 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 | 77 | 4 g | 3.7 g | 5.1 g |
| 50 g | 154 | 8 g | 7.5 g | 10.2 g |
| 100 g | 307 | 15.9 g | 14.9 g | 20.4 g |
| 150 g | 461 | 23.9 g | 22.4 g | 30.5 g |
| 200 g | 614 | 31.8 g | 29.9 g | 40.7 g |
| 250 g | 768 | 39.8 g | 37.3 g | 50.9 g |
| 300 g | 921 | 47.8 g | 44.8 g | 61.1 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 nuggets (fast food) the split is:
- Protein: 15.9 g × 4 = 64 kcal — 21% of calories
- Carbohydrates: 14.9 g × 4 = 60 kcal — 19% of calories
- Fat: 20.4 g × 9 = 183 kcal — 60% of calories
- Most of the energy in chicken nuggets (fast food) comes from fat (60% of calories).
- With 15.9 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
Fast-food nuggets are 307 kcal per 100 g and about 50 kcal each, so a six-piece is 300 kcal and a ten-piece 500 before dipping sauce. The coating and frying oil are half the calories.
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 nuggets 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
More in Fast food and prepared meals →
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in 100 g of chicken nuggets?
100 g of chicken nuggets (fast food) contains 307 kcal (15.9 g protein, 14.9 g carbohydrate, 20.4 g fat), according to USDA reference data.
How many calories are in a serving of chicken nuggets?
A typical serving of chicken nuggets — 1 piece, about 16 g — has roughly 49 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 nuggets?
Chicken nuggets (fast food): 15.9 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 nuggets equals 200 kcal?
At 307 kcal per 100 g, about 65 g of chicken nuggets equals 200 kcal.
Can I track chicken nuggets by taking a photo?
Yes. A photo calorie app like Wellix identifies chicken nuggets 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 170718: "Fast foods, chicken, breaded and fried, boneless pieces, plain". 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 nuggets on your plate, estimates the portion and logs calories, protein, carbs and fat in seconds. Free to start on iPhone and Android.
