How Many Calories Are in Publix Chicken Tenders?

Chicken tenders from Publix are a popular grab-and-go meal option. But how many calories are actually in these convenient chicken strips? I did some research to find the calorie count and other nutrition information for Publix chicken tenders.

An Overview of Publix Chicken Tenders

Publix chicken tenders are prepared fresh daily in Publix deli departments. They come in a traditional breaded and fried preparation. The chicken is described as Publix quality chicken, meaning it meets the supermarket chain’s standards.

The chicken tenders are fully cooked and ready to eat. You can purchase them hot and ready to eat immediately or take them home to reheat later. Either way, Publix chicken tenders make a quick, easy protein to add to lunch, dinner, or snacks.

Below I’ll share the nutrition information I found specifically for Publix fried chicken tenders.

Calories in 4 Publix Chicken Tenders

According to the Publix nutrition information I reviewed. 4 Publix chicken tenders (230g) contain

• 450 calories
• 17g total fat
• 30g protein
• 30g carbohydrates
• 2g fiber
• 865mg sodium

So each chicken tender contains approximately 112 calories.

The calorie count may vary slightly depending on the exact size of the tenders, but this gives a good ballpark estimate.

Percentage Breakdown of Nutrients

Looking at the macro nutrient percentage breakdown for Publix chicken tenders

• 39% of calories come from fat
• 31% of calories come from protein
• 30% of calories come from carbs

The tender’s crispy outer breading contributes a good amount of the fat and carb content, But these chicken tenders still provide a solid dose of lean protein as well,

How Publix Chicken Tender Calories Compare

Comparing Publix chicken tenders to other popular fried chicken options:

• Publix tenders (4 tenders): 450 calories
• Chick-fil-A chicken strips (2 strips): 400 calories
• KFC original recipe chicken tender (1 tender): 160 calories
• Popeyes fried chicken tender (1 tender): 170 calories

So Publix tenders contain slightly more calories than other leading fast food chicken strips and tenders. The cause is likely the larger tender size and thicker breading from Publix.

Overall though, the calorie difference is not huge. Publix tenders provide a similar fried chicken option to popular fast food chains.

Ways to Make Your Tenders a Little Healthier

If you want to lighten up your Publix chicken tenders, there are couple easy ways:

• Remove some of the breading: Scrape off a bit of the crispy coating to reduce carbs and fat.

• Eat with lower calorie dipping sauces: Options like mustard, barbecue sauce, or hot sauce add flavor with less calories than creamy sauces.

• Pair with veggies: Serve your tenders with carrot sticks, celery, or a side salad to add nutrients and fill up.

A serving of 3 fried chicken tenders can range from 240 to 720 calories, depending on the specific preparation, size, and restaurant. For example, Kwik Star’s 3-piece tenders contain 720 calories. Sonic’s 3 piece chicken tenders contain 260 calories.