How Many Calories Are in a 20 Piece Chicken Nugget Order? A Detailed Look

Chicken nuggets are a popular fast food menu item, especially with kids. The battered and fried nuggets are tasty and convenient. But many health-conscious customers wonder – how many calories are in a 20 piece chicken nugget order?

In this article we’ll take a close look at the calorie count and nutrition facts for a 20 piece serving of chicken nuggets from major fast food chains. We’ll also discuss whether this makes for a healthy meal option.

Calorie Count in 20 Piece Chicken Nuggets

The number of calories in a 20 piece order of chicken nuggets can vary depending on the restaurant. Here is the calorie count at some top fast food chains:

• McDonald’s – A 20 piece order of McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets contains 890 calories This is based on the standard US menu,

• Burger King – Burger King’s 20 piece Chicken Nuggets pack 850 calories.

• Wendy’s – Wendy’s 20 piece Chicken Nuggets have 930 calories.

• Chick-fil-A – Chick-fil-A’s 20 count Chick-fil-A Nuggets contain 790 calories.

So on average, a 20 piece serving of chicken nuggets from most major chains will have 850-900 calories. McDonald’s and Wendy’s tend to be on the higher side, while Chick-fil-A’s version is slightly lower in calories.

Nutrition Facts Breakdown

Looking beyond just calories, what do the full nutrition facts look like for a 20 piece nugget order?

Here is a nutritional breakdown for McDonald’s 20 piece Chicken McNuggets:

• Total Fat – 53g
• Saturated Fat – 9g
• Trans Fat – 0g
• Cholesterol – 145mg
• Sodium – 1680mg
• Total Carbohydrates – 53g
• Dietary Fiber – 4g
• Sugars – 0g
• Protein – 49g

Like most fried foods, a large part of the calories come from fat – 54% of the calories in a 20 piece order are from total fat. It also contains a full day’s worth of sodium at 1680mg.

On the positive side, it does pack 49g of protein. But overall, the high fat, sodium, and calorie count make this a less healthy option.

Serving Size Matters

One way to reduce the calorie count of your chicken nugget meal is to opt for a smaller serving size. For example:

• McDonald’s 4 piece Chicken McNuggets = 190 calories
• McDonald’s 10 piece Chicken McNuggets = 440 calories

Choosing a 10 piece serving would shave off 450 calories compared to the 20 piece order.

Portion control is an easy way to enjoy your nugget craving while limiting calorie intake. Share larger orders or save some nuggets for later.

Healthier Sides and Dipping Sauces

Another strategy is choosing healthier sides and dipping sauces to complement your nuggets:

• Sides – apple slices, yogurt, salad, or baked fries instead of regular french fries

• Sauces – barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or sweet and sour sauce rather than creamy, mayo-based sauces

This allows you to keep the nuggets as the main attraction while adding more balance to the full meal.

Should You Avoid Chicken Nuggets Altogether?

With their high sodium, fat, and calorie content, chicken nuggets are often singled out as an unhealthy fast food option. But in moderation, they can be incorporated into an overall balanced diet.

Some tips:

• Treat them as an occasional indulgence, not an everyday thing
• Stick to sensible portion sizes
• Pair with healthier sides and dips
• Choose nuggets made from all white meat chicken breast whenever possible for more protein
• Compare chains and opt for lower calorie preparations like Chick-fil-A’s version

By following these tips, you can still enjoy chicken nuggets in moderation as part of an active, healthy lifestyle. The key is balance and portion control.

The Bottom Line

A 20 piece serving of chicken nuggets contains around 850-900 calories at most major fast food chains. Opting for a smaller 10 piece size can slash calories in half. While nuggets are high in sodium, fat, and calories, they can be incorporated into a balanced diet in moderation by pairing them with healthier sides, watching portions, and comparing nutrition facts between chains. Satisfy your nugget craving wisely by staying informed on nutrition counts!