KFC Nutrition Menu: Calories, Prices, and More
Looking for the KFC Nutrition Menu with calories and prices so you can order with confidence in the United States today? This guide gives a short, clear answer: you can view calories, filter by availability, and plan orders with many items typically under $10.
Expect mostly fried chicken, so sodium and saturated fat can add up fast. Still, you can build a smarter order by choosing portion sizes, sides, and sauces carefully.
This article is organized by chicken types, nuggets/tenders/wings, sandwiches, bowls/pot pie, sides/fries/potatoes, sauces, and a value/pricing section. A master scannable table will list 15–30 items with Item, Price (typically under $10; varies by location), Calories, diet options, and common allergens.
Dietary breakdown + allergen snapshot: cross-contact is possible in kitchens; items labeled gluten-free or vegetarian are not guaranteed safe for celiac or severe allergies.
Quick takeaway: Original Recipe versus Extra Crispy drives the biggest calorie swing on chicken pieces. Sauces and sides often decide whether your order stays moderate or becomes a high-calorie build.
How to Use the KFC Nutrition Menu to Build a Smarter Order
Making smarter choices at a fried-chicken chain is easier than it seems with a clear plan. Start by treating “healthy” as personal: it might mean fewer calories, more protein, lower carbs, or less sodium.
Quick checklist of numbers to watch
- Calories — your daily target.
- Fat and saturated fat — for richness and heart health.
- Carbs — breading, buns, and sides add up fast.
- Protein — helps you feel full.
- Sodium — the sneaky fast-food multiplier.
Practical ordering rules
Use the one-main + one-side + one-sauce (or none) framework to control portions. Fried pieces and breading raise fat and sodium, so swaps help.
| Goal | Better option | Why | Example items |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower calories | Original Recipe | Less extra breading | Breast + green beans |
| More protein | Breast or tenders | Higher lean meat share | Tenders + corn |
| Lower sodium | Smaller portion | Limits single-item salt totals | Single piece, small side |
Watch portion traps: a bucket or family side can equal many individual menu item calories. Plan ahead using online filters and calorie content tools so you order with a clear option before you get hungry.
KFC Chicken Basics: Original Recipe vs Extra Crispy Chicken
Crunch and calories often trade places when you pick between Original Recipe and extra crispy options. Below is a quick, clear comparison so you can build an order that fits your goals.
Breast calories and macros — instant comparison
| Item | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Recipe breast | 390 | 21g | 11g | 39g |
| Extra Crispy breast | 530 | 35g | 18g | 35g |
Original Recipe snapshot
Breast 390 cal; thigh 280 cal; drum 130 cal; wing 130 cal. These pieces keep calories and fat lower than the extra crispy versions.
Extra Crispy snapshot
Breast 530 cal; thigh 330 cal; drum 170 cal; wing 170 cal. Extra crispy adds breading and fat across the board, so calories climb.
When to choose extra crispy — and when not
Sodium note: a breast can be ~1,100–1,200 mg sodium, even if calories differ. That matters when you add fries or a creamy dip.
- Worth it: pick one extra crispy piece as a textural splurge and pair with a light side.
- Skip it: ordering multiple pieces, buckets, or fries plus sauce — the extra fat and carbs push totals fast.
Rule of thumb: choose Original Recipe for most days; save extra crispy chicken for a one-piece treat.
Is There Grilled Chicken at KFC Right Now?
Grilled chicken is not on the nationwide lineup right now, though older nutrition panels still circulate online. For most U.S. locations, the chain currently serves breaded and fried chicken as its main protein choices.
This matters for ordering because without grilled chicken, carbs, fat, and sodium are harder to keep low. If you want leaner macros, plan swaps and portion control carefully.
- Quick answer: grilled chicken is discontinued nationwide at present.
- Why it matters: nearly every main protein is breaded and fried, raising calories and fat.
| Item | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grilled chicken breast (reference) | 210 | 7g | 0g | 38g |
| Grilled chicken thigh (reference) | 150 | 9g | 0g | 17g |
| Grilled chicken drum (reference) | 80 | 4g | 0g | 11g |
| Grilled chicken wing (reference) | 70 | 3g | 0g | 9g |
Big takeaway: the grilled chicken breast shows a high-protein, lower-calorie profile (210 calories, 38g protein) that fried pieces rarely match.
Workaround: if you want “grilled-style” macros, pick smaller portions (a single tender or a few nuggets), add vegetable sides, and choose a low-calorie sauce.
Menu note: limited-time items and regional tests can appear. Check the KFC online menu for your ZIP code before assuming grilled options are available.
Nuggets, Tenders, and Wings: Best Picks for Protein and Portions
Small-plate picks like nuggets and tenders can give you big protein without a bucket-size calorie hit.
12-piece nuggets are a clear macro win versus the old large popcorn chicken. The nuggets clock about 420 calories, 18g fat, 24g carbs, and 36g protein. By contrast, the large popcorn chicken was around 620 calories, 39g fat, 39g carbs, and 27g protein.

Extra-crispy tenders as building blocks
One extra crispy tender is about 140 calories, 7g fat, 8g carbs, and 10g protein with roughly 320mg sodium. That makes tenders easy to scale: add one or two for more protein without guessing totals.
Wing math made simple
Wings look small, but calories and sodium multiply fast. An Original Recipe wing is ~130 calories and 380mg sodium. Six wings can match or exceed a larger piece in both calories and salt.
- Portion guide: try 6 nuggets or 1–2 tenders plus a veggie side for a lighter meal.
- Sauce impact: two creamy dipping sauces can tack on 200+ calories, extra sodium, and sugar.
- Protein + sides idea: pair tenders or nuggets with a side salad (no heavy dressing) to feel full without a combo-box calorie spike.
| Item | Calories | Protein | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-piece nuggets | 420 | 36g | Lower fat than popcorn chicken |
| Large popcorn chicken (old) | 620 | 27g | Higher fat and carbs |
| Extra crispy tender (1) | 140 | 10g | 320mg sodium; easy to scale |
| Original Recipe wing (1) | 130 | — | ~380mg sodium per wing |
Bottom line: nuggets and single tenders let you control calories, fat, and sodium more easily. Always check the chain’s nutrition tools for exact sauce and portion facts before ordering.
Chicken Sandwiches and High-Calorie Builds to Watch
Sandwiches can quickly become the highest-calorie choice when fried chicken meets a bun and sauce. This “bread-on-breading” effect raises carbs and calories beyond a single piece of chicken.
Typical sandwich profile
The KFC chicken sandwich clocks about 650 calories, 35g fat, 49g carbs, and 34g protein. Large breading, a sturdy bun, and creamy sauce explain why it often tops many fast food rivals.
Sizing strategy: small vs spicy
The Chicken Little is a lower-calorie option at 300 calories and 27g carbs with 620mg sodium. The Spicy Chicken Sandwich stays at 650 calories but can spike sodium to about 1,260mg. That makes side choices crucial.
High-calorie cautionary example
The Double Down (limited return) is a near 950-calorie build with 63g fat, cheese, and extra sauce. It’s a once-in-a-while indulgence, not an everyday option.
- Buyer’s guide: pick one sandwich and swap fries for a veggie side to cut totals.
- Customization reality check: kfc chicken outlets offer limited swaps—control portions, sides, and sauces instead.
| Item | Calories | Fat | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Little | 300 | — | 620mg |
| Chicken Sandwich | 650 | 35g | — |
| Spicy Chicken Sandwich | 650 | 35g | 1,260mg |
| Double Down | 950 | 63g | — |
Bowls and Pot Pie: Comfort Food Calories, Fat, and Sodium Explained
Bowls and the pot pie are classic comfort picks, but their calorie and sodium totals can surprise you.

Famous Bowl sizing — what you save
The Snack-Size Famous Bowl is 270 calories, 13g fat, 820mg sodium, and 27g carbs. Choosing the snack size saves about 470 calories and 21g fat versus the regular bowl. That makes sizing down the single smartest swap for comfort eats.
Where bowls add extra calories
Bowls are stacked combos: mashed potatoes, gravy, cheese, breaded chicken, and corn. Each adds fat and sodium even when the dish looks “contained.” Swapping to a mac & cheese bowl increases richness, so calories and fat can climb faster with larger portions.
Pot pie and spicy variations
The chicken pot pie sits at roughly 720 calories, 41g fat (25g saturated), 1,750mg sodium, 60g carbs, and 26g protein. Spicy bowl versions often just add hot sauce — a big flavor win with little calorie cost, though sodium still counts.
- Smart order: pick one comfort item and keep other choices light — water and a veggie side.
- Buyer’s guide: for best protein-per-calorie, tenders or nuggets plus a vegetable side often beat large bowls.
| Item | Calories | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Snack-Size Famous Bowl | 270 | Saves calories and fat vs regular |
| Chicken Pot Pie | 720 | High sodium and saturated fat |
| Spicy bowl variant | Varies | Hot sauce adds flavor, little extra calories |
Sides, Fries, and Potatoes: What Complements Fried Chicken Best
Sides often decide whether a fried meal feels balanced or becomes a sodium-and-starch overload.
Secret Recipe Fries reality check
The Secret Recipe Fries clock about 320 calories, 15g fat, 1,100mg sodium, and 41g carbs. That sodium total is the bigger story—especially with sauce or a sandwich added.
Wedges vs. fries
Potato wedges and fries are close on calories and carbs. Fries usually carry higher sodium because of extra seasoning on the surface.
Vegetable and starchy side choices
Pick green beans (25 calories, 260mg sodium), corn (70 calories), or a house salad (15 calories) to add color, fiber, and volume.
Limit biscuits, mac & cheese, and cornbread muffins: they add fast calories and carbs with little protein.
Simple plate-build and fiber tip
Try Original Recipe chicken + green beans + corn for a hearty plate without the fries-plus-ranch sodium spike.
Order single portions unless you share. Choose at least one veggie side and minimal creamy dressing to add fiber and fullness without blowing calories.
| Item | Calories | Why choose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secret Recipe Fries (individual) | 320 | Comforting starch | 1,100mg sodium; 41g carbs |
| Potato wedges (individual) | ~320 | Similar calories | Often slightly lower sodium than fries |
| Green beans | 25 | Low-cal veggie | Adds fiber and color |
| House salad | 15 | Lowest calories | Skip heavy dressings for best results |
Dipping Sauce and Condiments: The Small Add-Ons That Change Everything
Condiments are part of the meal, not a free extra. A packet can add modest calories or a big hit of fat and salt. Treat sauces as choices that affect your totals.
Lower-calorie picks vs creamy options
Lower-calorie options like hot sauce or ketchup add about 30 calories at most. They give flavor with minimal carbs or fat.
Higher-calorie choices such as ranch or honey mustard often add 100+ calories per serving and more sodium.
Sugar and sodium to watch
BBQ dipping sauce can contain roughly 11g sugar per serving. Ranch may add about 240mg sodium. Those totals stack with kfc chicken pieces or a sandwich.
Practical sauce strategy
- Reframe sauces as part of the order—one packet can change a meal by 200–300 calories.
- Pick one sauce and use half; dip lightly instead of soaking to cut calories and sodium.
- For sandwiches that already include sauce, skip extra packets to avoid double-stacking fats and salt.
- Try this script when ordering: “One sauce on the side, please.”
| Choice | Typical calories | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hot sauce / ketchup | ~30 | Low calories, low carbs |
| BBQ | ~40–60 | Contains sugar (~11g) |
| Ranch / honey mustard | 100+ | Higher fat and sodium (~240mg) |
Prices and Value: What KFC Costs in the United States and How to Spend Wisely
You can usually buy a main item here for under $10, though combos and delivery push the total higher. Set your expectation: many menu items are priced below ten dollars, but add-ons change the math fast.
Value and nutrition aren’t always the same. Buckets and family meals may look like a deal, yet they make it easy to overshoot calories and saturated fat. Watch large sides, multiple sauces, desserts, and sugary drinks—these raise both price and calories quickly.
Budget-friendly ordering
Choose one main + one side instead of a bundled meal. Pick tenders or nuggets with a veggie side and water to keep cost and calories predictable. Compare each menu item by calories and sodium, not just by name.
- Set a $10 cap for single purchases to avoid surprise totals.
- Use the kfc menu online filters to check availability and calories before you order.
- If an item is discontinued, compare the closest swap by calories and sodium.
| Item | Price (typ) | Calories | Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-piece nuggets | $6–$9 | 420 | Regular, spicy |
| Single tender + veggie side | $4–$7 | ~200–350 | Green beans, corn |
| Snack bowl (small) | $3–$6 | 270 | Regular, spicy |
Plan ahead with the kfc menu tools to filter by calories and confirm availability. That saves money and makes the fast food run fit your goals without guessing at nutritional information or prices.
Conclusion
This short conclusion gives a clear next step: pick your main first — an Original Recipe chicken piece, nuggets, or tenders — then choose a side and a sauce that fit your calorie and sodium goals.
Remember the single biggest lever: an Original Recipe breast is about 390 calories versus roughly 530 for an extra crispy breast. That breading choice changes fat and calories most of all.
Grilled chicken is generally not on the nationwide lineup, so lean ordering relies on portions, sides, and sauces. Bowls and the pot pie pack calories and sodium fast; size down if you want comfort food with fewer risks.
Sauces, fries, and creamy sides are not background details — they raise calories and salt quickly. Green beans or a salad add balance with far fewer calories.
Bookmark this page, check the brand’s online nutrition tools before you order, and use the table at the top to compare items fast. You don’t have to eat perfectly to eat wisely.