How Many Calories in McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets?

Chicken McNuggets are a popular menu item at McDonald’s. These tasty battered and fried chicken chunks are loved by kids and adults alike. But with rising rates of obesity many people want to know – how many calories are actually in Chicken McNuggets? In this article, we’ll break down the calorie count in McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets and look at how they fit into a balanced diet.

An Overview of Chicken McNuggets

First, let’s start with an overview of McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets. Chicken McNuggets are made from small pieces of boneless chicken breast meat that are battered and breaded, then deep fried. The chicken is chopped into bite-size pieces, allowing for easy, on-the-go eating.

McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets come in different serving sizes

• 4 pieces
• 6 pieces
• 10 pieces
• 20 pieces
• 40 pieces

The smaller serving sizes like 4 or 6 pieces are commonly ordered as a snack or side item. The larger sizes like 20 or 40 pieces are more likely to be ordered as a meal.

Now let’s look at the all-important calorie count.

Calories in McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets

How many calories are in Chicken McNuggets depends on how many you eat. Here is a list of how many calories are in each size of McDonald’s Chicken McNugget:

• 4 pieces: 180 calories
• 6 pieces: 270 calories
• 10 pieces: 440 calories
• 20 pieces: 890 calories
• 40 pieces: 1,770 calories

As you can see, the calorie count ranges widely based on how many pieces you order. The smallest 4 piece order contains just 180 calories, while the large 40 piece order packs a whopping 1,770 calories.

The calories come mostly from fat and protein:

• Fat: 11-107 grams
• Protein: 10-98 grams

The outside of the nuggets is coated in a crispy, fried breading that adds more fat and calories. The chicken inside also provides protein.

Calories from Sides and Dips

Chicken McNuggets are rarely eaten alone. They are usually accompanied by a side item like fries and a dipping sauce. This can add a significant number of extra calories:

• Small french fries: 230 calories
• Medium fries: 340 calories
• Large fries: 500 calories
• Ketchup packet: 15 calories
• Barbeque sauce: 45 calories
• Sweet n Sour sauce: 50 calories

A meal of just 10 Chicken McNuggets, a small fry, and two sauces would add up to 730 calories total.

How Many Chicken McNuggets Should You Eat?

Now that we know the calorie count, how many Chicken McNuggets should you eat in one sitting? Here are some general guidelines based on a 2,000 calorie diet:

• As a snack or side: 4-6 pieces
• As part of a combo meal: 10 pieces or less
• For a hungry teenager or athlete: Up to 20 pieces
• Avoid large 40 piece orders except for sharing

The FDA recommends consuming no more than 20-35% of your total calories from fat. On a 2,000 calorie diet, this equates to 44-78 grams of fat per day. Ordering a 20 or 40 piece Chicken McNugget by yourself can easily exceed this recommended limit.

To keep your fat and calories in check, stick to smaller serving sizes. Pair it with healthier sides like a salad and low-calorie dipping sauces.

Tips for Making Chicken McNuggets Healthier

Here are some tips to enjoy Chicken McNuggets in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet:

• Order the 4 or 6 piece size and pair it with a salad or Fruit & Yogurt Parfait.

• Ask for BBQ sauce or mustard instead of creamy, high-fat sauces.

• Skip the fries and choose a lower calorie side like apple slices instead.

• Watch your portion of dipping sauce and aim for just one packet.

• Share a 10 or 20 piece order with a friend to control portions.

• Eat Chicken McNuggets only occasionally as a treat meal, not daily.

Chicken McNuggets can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. Just be mindful of your portion size, what you pair it with, and how often you indulge.

The Bottom Line

How many calories are there in Chicken McNuggets? For every 4 pieces, there are 180 calories, and for every 40 pieces, there are 1,770 calories. Cut down on the size of your meals to keep your calories in check. Pair Chicken McNuggets with healthier sides and dipping sauces. As part of a healthy, active lifestyle and a balanced diet, enjoy it once in a while. To keep this fast food favorite from getting in the way of your health goals, you need to watch how much you eat and how it’s prepared.