How Many Calories Are in a Dairy Queen Chicken Strip Basket?

Dairy Queen’s chicken strip basket is a popular menu item that has been satisfying customers for over 25 years. But with its crispy strips of chicken fries, Texas toast and dipping sauce, you may wonder just how many calories are packed into this indulgent basket. In this article, we’ll break down the calorie count and other nutrition facts so you can make an informed decision next time you visit DQ.

A Classic DQ Treat

The Dairy Queen chicken strip basket features four or six strips of all-white meat chicken coated in a crispy, seasoned breading. The strips are fried until hot and golden. The basket also includes a generous portion of DQ’s signature fries To round out the meal, you get two slices of Texas toast along with your choice of one dipping sauce. From creamy ranch to zesty buffalo, Dairy Queen offers eight sauce options to complement the tenders

This combination of chicken tenders, fries, toast, and sauce has been on DQ menus since 1994. Over the years, it has become one of the chain’s most iconic and crave-worthy items. The chicken strip basket delivers the perfect balance of crunchy, saucy, fried finger food that customers of all ages enjoy.

Calorie Count for a 4 Piece Chicken Strip Basket

So how many calories are in a Dairy Queen four piece chicken strip basket?

• A four piece chicken strip basket from Dairy Queen contains 1020 calories.

That’s over half of the recommended 2000 daily calories for most adults in just one meal!

To break it down further:

• 48 grams of fat (430 calories)
• 111 grams of carbohydrates
• 35 grams of protein

The high calorie count is largely due to deep frying the chicken and fries in oil. The batter coating on the chicken and the oil used for frying add a significant number of calories and fat. The Texas toast and sauce provide additional calories from carbohydrates and fat as well.

Calorie Count for a 6 Piece Chicken Strip Basket

Order a bigger appetite? Opting for the six piece chicken strip basket will rack up even more calories:

• A Dairy Queen six piece chicken strip basket contains 1290 calories.

Here’s the full nutrition breakdown:

• 59 grams of fat (530 calories)
• 139 grams of carbohydrates
• 44 grams of protein

As you can see, just adding two more chicken strips tacks on an extra 270 calories and 11 grams of fat. The extra carbs and protein also pile on more calories.

How Many Calories Does Each Part Contain?

While the chicken strips make up a significant portion of calories, the fries, toast, and sauce contribute their fair share as well. Here is an estimate of the calorie range for each part of a four piece chicken strip basket:

• Chicken strips (4 pieces): 400-600 calories
• Fries: 350-400 calories
• Texas toast: 150-200 calories
• Sauce: 50-100 calories

As you can see, the fried chicken strips and fries account for most of the calories. Limiting your sauce usage can shave off some calories, but the chicken and fries will still deliver a calorie-dense meal.

Burning off the Calories

So how much exercise would it take to burn off a four piece Dairy Queen chicken strip basket?

• To burn off 1020 calories, you would need to:
  • Run for 89 minutes
  • Walk for 146 minutes
  • Take a 21 mile bike ride

As you can see, working off those chicken strip calories takes serious time and effort. It’s the equivalent of jogging for close to 10 miles.

Just one chicken strip meal could undo the progress from your morning workout or hour-long exercise class. The high calorie count is something to consider if watching your waistline.

Making Healthier Choices at Dairy Queen

If you love the taste of Dairy Queen but want to make a lighter choice, consider these options to reduce calories:

• Grilled Chicken Sandwich (440 calories)
• Misty Slush (150 calories)
• Vanilla Soft Serve Cone (170 calories)
• Small Chili Cheese Dog (460 calories)

Sticking to grilled chicken, lighter beverages, and small treats can satisfy your craving while keeping calories in check. Building your own meal with a la carte menu items also allows you to control portions and ingredients.

While the chicken strip basket packs a caloric punch, it remains a Dairy Queen signature with its tantalizing combination of hot crispy chicken, fries, toast, and dipping sauce. Being mindful of calories and portions allows you to enjoy this treat in moderation.

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