How Many Calories Are in a Chicken Cheesesteak? Unpacking the Nutrition

October 18, 2025 •

4 min read

A single chicken cheesesteak can contain anywhere from approximately 500 to over 1000 calories, a significant range depending on the specific ingredients and portion size. This wide variation directly influences the answer to how many calories are in a chicken cheesesteak, highlighting the importance of understanding its core components for a balanced diet.

Quick Summary

The total calorie count of a chicken cheesesteak varies considerably, influenced by the type of bread, cheese, quantity of chicken, and additional toppings. Understanding this nutritional breakdown is crucial for controlling intake, as different versions can impact dietary goals differently. Modifications can significantly lower the overall calorie density.

Key Points

Significant Calorie Variation: The number of calories in a chicken cheesesteak can vary drastically, from 500 to over 1000, depending on portion size and ingredients.
Ingredient Choice is Key: The type and amount of bread, cheese, and toppings like mayo are major factors influencing the total calorie and fat content.
Chicken is Leaner than Beef: Opting for a chicken cheesesteak over a beef one typically results in a lower-calorie and lower-saturated-fat meal.
Customization for Control: Making simple adjustments like reducing cheese, using a smaller or hollowed-out roll, and adding more vegetables can significantly reduce calories.
Sodium Content is High: Both chicken and beef cheesesteaks are often high in sodium, a nutritional aspect to be aware of, especially for those with specific health concerns.
Meal Prep for Control: Making a chicken cheesesteak at home offers the most control over ingredients and portion sizes, allowing for precise calorie management.

The Calorie Breakdown: What's in a Chicken Cheesesteak?

Understanding the calorie count of a chicken cheesesteak requires looking at its individual components. A standard cheesesteak is made of several key ingredients, each contributing to the total nutritional value.

The Core Components of a Chicken Cheesesteak

The Roll: The hoagie roll is a primary source of carbohydrates and calories. For example, a larger 10-inch roll from a chain can contribute over 300 calories, while a smaller roll adds fewer. Opting for a whole-grain bun can add fiber but might not significantly reduce calories unless it's a smaller size.
The Chicken: As a leaner protein source than traditional beef, chicken is a key factor in reducing calories. However, the preparation method matters. Grilled or pan-seared chicken breast will have far fewer calories and saturated fat than fried or heavily oiled chicken.
The Cheese: Cheese is a major contributor of both calories and fat. The amount and type of cheese used will heavily influence the total. Provolone, American, or whiz are common options, and reducing the quantity or choosing a lower-fat variety can make a difference.
The Toppings: The classic sautéed onions and peppers add flavor and nutrients with minimal calories. However, some shops add mayonnaise, extra sauces, or additional ingredients like bacon, which drastically increase the final calorie count.

Chicken vs. Beef Cheesesteak: A Calorie Comparison

While both sandwiches are classic comfort foods, the choice of meat is a significant factor in the overall nutritional profile. Generally, a chicken cheesesteak is a lower-calorie alternative to its beef counterpart.


Feature	Chicken Cheesesteak	Beef Cheesesteak	Nutritional Insight
Typical Calories	500-1000+	Can be higher, often 700-1200+	Chicken is typically leaner, resulting in fewer calories per serving.
Saturated Fat	Lower, especially with lean chicken breast	Often significantly higher due to fat marbling in beef steak	A key area of difference impacting heart health.
Protein	High protein content	Also high in protein	Both are good sources of muscle-building protein.
Sodium	Can be very high, depending on preparation	Often very high due to ingredients and seasoning	Sodium content is high in both and depends on condiments and preparation.

Lowering the Calorie Count of Your Chicken Cheesesteak

For those who love the flavor but want a healthier option, several modifications can significantly reduce the calorie and fat content.

Practical Modifications for a Healthier Cheesesteak

Choose the Right Bread: Opt for a smaller roll, or consider hollowing out a portion of the inside to remove some carbs. A lettuce wrap is an even lower-carb option.
Control the Cheese: Request less cheese or ask for a lower-fat cheese option. Even a single slice instead of two can make a difference.
Load Up on Veggies: Request extra sautéed onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms. They add bulk, nutrients, and flavor without many calories.
Mind Your Toppings: Skip high-calorie additions like mayonnaise or extra sauces. Season with herbs and spices instead for more flavor.
Use Leaner Cooking Methods: When making a chicken cheesesteak at home, use cooking spray instead of oil for the skillet. If eating out, ask if the chicken can be cooked with minimal oil.

Reading the Label and Calculating Your Meal

Many food tracking apps and websites, like Nutritionix and Eat This Much, provide nutritional information for common foods, including chicken cheesesteaks. However, restaurant or store-bought versions will vary. For the most accurate calculation, add up the individual components based on standard serving sizes:

Meat: Calculate calories for the amount of chicken used (e.g., 4-6 oz). Lean, grilled chicken breast has approximately 175 calories per 4 oz.
Bread: Consider the size of the roll. An 8-inch roll can be around 200-300 calories.
Cheese: Look up the calories for your chosen cheese type and amount. A single slice of provolone is about 98 calories.
Veggies: Onions and peppers are low-calorie. An extra cup might add only 50 calories.

Making informed choices about your food helps in controlling your dietary intake while still enjoying your favorite meals. The flexibility of a chicken cheesesteak means you can tailor it to your nutritional needs without sacrificing taste.

Conclusion

In summary, how many calories are in a chicken cheesesteak? The answer is not fixed. Calories can range widely from around 500 to over 1000, depending on ingredients, portion size, and preparation. A chicken cheesesteak is generally a healthier choice than its beef counterpart due to leaner meat, but it can still be high in sodium and saturated fat. Customizing your sandwich by choosing a smaller roll, less cheese, and more vegetables are effective strategies for reducing its caloric impact. Ultimately, a balanced approach allows you to enjoy this flavorful sandwich as part of a nutritious diet.

For more information on the specific nutritional content of different chicken vs. beef preparations, Livestrong.com offers insights on chicken cheesesteak nutrition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a chicken cheesesteak is generally considered a healthier option than a traditional beef version because chicken, especially lean breast meat, has less saturated fat and fewer calories than beef steak.

You can reduce calories by asking for less cheese, requesting a smaller or hollowed-out roll, skipping high-fat toppings like mayonnaise, and loading up on extra vegetables like onions and peppers.

Yes, portion size has a huge impact. A 10-inch sandwich can have significantly more calories than an 8-inch version, as seen in the nutritional information for Capriotti's, where sizes range from 730 to 1000 calories.

The calorie count for a chicken cheesesteak wrap varies, but an example from HomeCooked shows a wrap can contain around 442 calories, often a lower-calorie alternative to a sandwich on a large roll.

The calorie difference depends on the amount and specific type of cheese, but generally, provolone and American cheese have similar calorie densities. Using less cheese or opting for a lower-fat option is the most effective way to reduce calories from this component.

Yes, you can easily make a lower-carb version at home by skipping the traditional hoagie roll and serving the mixture of chicken, cheese, and veggies in a bowl, a lettuce wrap, or on a low-carb bun.

Vegetables like bell peppers and onions add fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants with very few calories. They help increase the meal's volume and nutritional value, making it more filling without a significant calorie increase.