How Many Calories are in 2 Chicken Bites?: A Nutritional Breakdown

October 13, 2025 •

4 min read

A single, small chicken bite can contain as little as 33 calories, but this can increase significantly depending on how it's prepared. The question of how many calories are in 2 chicken bites? is not straightforward and requires a closer look at cooking methods, size, and ingredients.

Quick Summary

The number of calories in two chicken bites varies significantly based on cooking method and preparation. Ranging from as few as 66 for a simple grilled variety to over 100 for a heavily breaded, fried option, the total count is heavily influenced by how they are made.

Key Points

Variable Calorie Count: The number of calories in two chicken bites is highly dependent on preparation, with a range from around 66 for lightly breaded bites to over 100 for fried options.
Cooking Method is Key: Deep-frying significantly increases fat and calorie content, while grilling is the leanest method. Baking and air-frying offer a healthier middle ground.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought: Making chicken bites at home gives you complete control over ingredients, allowing you to use leaner chicken and healthier breading alternatives.
Smart Breading Choices: Opt for lighter breading options like almond flour, whole-wheat crumbs, or parmesan cheese mixed with herbs to reduce carbs and fat.
Balance Your Meal: Incorporate chicken bites into a balanced diet by pairing them with vegetables, whole grains, and low-calorie sauces instead of relying on high-fat sides.
Air Fry for Healthy Crunch: The air fryer is an excellent appliance for achieving a satisfyingly crispy texture with minimal added oil, drastically cutting down on calories.

The Calorie Count Varies: Factors That Influence the Number

When considering a popular appetizer or quick meal like chicken bites, understanding their nutritional profile is key to maintaining a healthy diet. The caloric content is not a single, fixed number but rather a range determined by several key factors. These factors include the cooking method, whether the chicken is breaded or not, the type of breading used, and the overall portion size.

For example, two small, lightly breaded chicken bites from a prepared frozen pack might contain around 66 calories. In contrast, a similar portion that is heavily battered and deep-fried could easily exceed 100 calories, or more, due to the high-fat oil absorption. Homemade versions give you full control over these variables, allowing for much healthier choices. Opting for grilled chicken breast, a naturally lean protein source, is the most calorie-conscious choice.

The Effect of Cooking Method

The way chicken bites are cooked has the most significant impact on their final calorie and fat content. Deep-frying submerges the food in hot oil, leading to a crispy, delicious exterior but also a high-fat, calorie-dense result. Air frying and oven baking use hot air to cook food, simulating the crunch of frying with a fraction of the oil. Grilling, on the other hand, requires very little to no added oil, making it the healthiest option among the three.

Fried Chicken Bites: This method is known for high-fat content. For instance, two small fried chicken bites could be around 100-150 calories or more, with a considerable portion of that coming from fat.
Baked or Air-Fried Chicken Bites: These methods offer a crispier texture than grilling with far fewer calories and fat than deep-frying. Two bites prepared this way might be closer to 60-90 calories.
Grilled Chicken Bites: The leanest option, as the fat content is naturally low and no extra oil is needed. Two small grilled bites could be around 40-60 calories.

Store-Bought vs. Homemade

While store-bought frozen chicken bites offer convenience, they often come with added preservatives, sodium, and ingredients that boost calorie and fat counts. The breading on these products is typically a mix of refined flours and spices, and they are sometimes par-fried before freezing. Homemade chicken bites, however, allow for complete ingredient control. You can use lean chicken breast, a light almond flour or whole-wheat breading, and choose healthier cooking methods like baking or air frying.

A Detailed Nutritional Comparison

To illustrate the significant difference that cooking method makes, here is a comparison of two chicken bites prepared in different ways.


Aspect	Fried Chicken Bites	Baked/Air-Fried Chicken Bites	Grilled Chicken Bites
Calories (per 2 bites)	~100-150+	~60-90	~40-60
Total Fat (g)	Higher, often 6-10g+	Moderate, often 3-5g	Lower, often <2g
Protein (g)	Moderate to High	High	High
Preparation	Deep-fried in oil	Oven-baked or air-fried with minimal oil	Cooked on a grill or skillet with no oil

Healthier Alternatives and Cooking Tips

Making healthier choices doesn't mean giving up flavor or convenience. Here are some tips and alternatives for enjoying chicken bites while keeping calories and fat in check:

Embrace the Air Fryer: An air fryer is a fantastic tool for achieving a crispy texture without the need for excessive oil. For example, a recipe for air-fried chicken bites without breading lists just 233 calories for a larger serving.
Go Lean: Always opt for boneless, skinless chicken breast. It is naturally leaner than dark meat and will result in a lower-fat final product.
Homemade Breading: Instead of refined white flour, use alternative breading options such as crushed whole-wheat crackers, almond flour, or a mix of parmesan cheese and herbs.
Spice it Up: Use spices and herbs like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder to add flavor without adding calories. A simple mix can replace a heavy sauce.
Serve with Veggies: Pair your chicken bites with a side of steamed broccoli, roasted carrots, or a fresh salad to add nutrients and fiber, making the meal more filling and balanced.

How to Incorporate Chicken Bites into a Healthy Diet

Even traditionally prepared chicken bites can be part of a balanced diet if consumed in moderation. For example, if you're enjoying fried chicken bites from a fast-food restaurant, pair them with a side salad instead of fries and a sugary drink to offset some of the caloric and fat intake. For homemade versions, create a balanced meal by including whole grains and plenty of vegetables. Think chicken bite salads, chicken bite wraps with whole-wheat tortillas, or serving them alongside brown rice and a vegetable stir-fry. Planning your portion sizes and making conscious choices about what you serve alongside the chicken bites is crucial.

Conclusion: Making Informed Nutritional Choices

Ultimately, understanding how many calories are in 2 chicken bites? is about recognizing the variables at play rather than looking for a single number. From the cooking method to the ingredients used, every decision impacts the nutritional outcome. By choosing healthier preparation methods like grilling or air-frying and opting for homemade versions, you can enjoy this versatile protein as part of a nutritious, calorie-controlled diet.

For more specific nutritional information on a wide range of foods, reputable databases like Eat This Much can be a helpful resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

The type of breading significantly impacts calorie count. A lighter, homemade breading made with whole-wheat flour or almond flour will be lower in calories and carbs than the heavy, refined-flour batter used in deep-fried, commercial versions.

Yes, grilled chicken bites are consistently lower in calories. Grilling requires little to no oil, allowing the natural fat to render away, whereas deep-frying causes the chicken to absorb significant amounts of high-fat cooking oil.

To keep your meal healthy, pair chicken bites with low-calorie sauces like hot sauce, a homemade honey mustard dressing, a light yogurt-based dip, or simple ketchup.

Absolutely. You can create low-calorie chicken bites at home by using boneless, skinless chicken breast, baking or air-frying instead of deep-frying, and using a light, healthy breading or no breading at all.

While the names are often used interchangeably, the primary difference is often preparation and size. Bites tend to be smaller, and their caloric content depends on the specific cooking method, just like nuggets. Many fast-food nuggets are heavily processed and high in calories, but both can be made healthily at home.

To reduce calories, skip the deep fryer and cook frozen chicken bites in an air fryer or oven. For an even healthier option, look for frozen varieties with no or minimal breading, like grilled chicken bites.

Using boneless, skinless chicken breast is the better choice for lower-calorie bites. Chicken breast is a naturally leaner cut of meat than the fattier chicken thigh.