How Many Calories Are in an 8 Piece Order of Burger King Chicken Nuggets?

Chicken nuggets are a popular fast food item, especially with kids The crunchy battered exterior and juicy chicken interior make them an irresistible treat But how many calories are you really consuming when you order an 8 piece serving of Burger King chicken nuggets? Let’s take a closer look.

A Closer Look at Burger King’s Chicken Nuggets

Burger King’s chicken nuggets are made with all white meat chicken seasoned with a blend of spices and coated in a crispy tempura batter. An 8 piece order contains approximately:

• 344 calories
• 22 g fat
• 21 g carbs
• 16 g protein

The nuggets are fried until golden brown and crispy They are served hot and ready to dip in your choice of savory sauces like BBQ, ranch, honey mustard or sweet & sour

How the Calories Stack Up

A 344 calorie count may seem high for just 8 small nuggets. To put this into perspective, here’s how the calories compare to some other Burger King menu items:

• Whopper Sandwich: 660 calories
• Whopper Jr: 310 calories
• Cheeseburger: 280 calories
• Hamburger: 240 calories

So an 8 piece order of nuggets contains about half the calories of a standard Whopper sandwich. The nuggets have roughly the same amount of calories as a cheeseburger.

Burger King’s chicken nuggets have significantly more calories compared to a plain hamburger. However, they contain less calories than higher fat/carb options like the Whopper.

Nugget Calorie Count Breakdown

Let’s break down the 344 calories found in an 8 piece order of BK nuggets:

• 198 calories from fat
• 57% of the calories are from fat
• Total fat: 22 g
  • Saturated fat: 3.4 g
  • Trans fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
  • Dietary fiber: 1 g
  • Sugars: 0 g
• Protein: 16 g

The high fat and carb content contribute to the elevated calorie count. Over half the calories come directly from fat. The nuggets are coated in a crispy battered exterior which adds fat and carbs. They are also fried in oil which further increases the fat content.

How Nugget Calories Compare to Other Fast Food Chains

Burger King isn’t the only fast food restaurant serving up chicken nuggets. How does their calorie count compare?

• McDonald’s 4 piece nuggets: 190 calories
• Wendy’s 4 piece nuggets: 180 calories
• Chick-fil-A 8 piece nuggets: 140 calories

The calorie count for BK’s nuggets is noticeably higher than competitor brands. A 4 piece serving from McDonald’s or Wendy’s contains almost half the calories of Burger King’s 8 piece order. Even Chick-fil-A’s 8 piece serving packs significantly less calories.

Tips for Reducing Calories

If you want to enjoy Burger King chicken nuggets but avoid excess calories, here are some tips:

• Order a small size. A 6 piece nuggets contains 260 calories vs 344 for an 8 piece.
• Opt for grilled nuggets when available to slash calories and fat.
• Skip the dipping sauce or choose lower cal options like barbecue, mustard or sweet & sour sauce.
• Pair your nuggets with lower calorie sides like apple slices or a garden salad instead of fries.
• Watch your portion size and stop eating when satisfied to avoid overconsumption.
• Split your order with a friend to control portions.

While chicken nuggets are not the healthiest menu option, you can still enjoy them in moderation by following these smart strategies to reduce calories.

The Bottom Line

An 8 piece order of Burger King chicken nuggets contains 344 calories. Over half of those calories come directly from fat due to the crispy battered coating and frying method. BK’s nugget calorie count is higher compared to nuggets from McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Chick-fil-A. By ordering a smaller size, skipping the sauce, and pairing with healthier sides, you can still satisfy your nugget craving while limiting calorie intake. Chicken nuggets are an occasional treat best enjoyed in moderation.

The healthiest readily available option at Burger King is generally considered to be the Grilled Chicken Sandwich, especially when ordered without mayo.