How many calories are in Chinese Honey Chicken takeout?

December 1, 2025 •

4 min read

Chinese takeout is notoriously high in calories, with many dishes exceeding a single meal's recommended intake. A typical order of Chinese honey chicken takeout can contain between 600 and 1,000 calories per serving, depending on the portion size and cooking method.

Quick Summary

Calorie content for Chinese honey chicken takeout varies significantly, but typically ranges from 600 to 1,000 calories per portion. The final count depends heavily on preparation, portion size, and the amount of sugary, oil-laden sauce used.

Key Points

Calorie Range: A single takeout serving of Chinese honey chicken typically ranges from 600 to over 1,000 calories due to the deep-frying and high-sugar sauce.
High-Calorie Ingredients: The batter and deep-frying method are primary drivers of the high fat and calorie content in this dish.
Sugary Sauce: The honey sauce is often laden with added sugars and corn syrup, contributing hundreds of empty calories to the final product.
Restaurant Variation: Calorie counts can differ significantly between restaurants based on their unique preparation methods and sauce recipes.
Portion Sizes: Restaurant portions are often far larger than a single serving, meaning the total calories consumed can be much higher than expected.
Healthier Alternatives: To reduce calories, consider ordering steamed protein and vegetables, asking for sauce on the side, or making a baked version at home.

Calorie Breakdown: Why Your Honey Chicken Takeout Varies

The calorie count for Chinese honey chicken is not a fixed number. Several key factors contribute to the final tally, and understanding these can help you make more informed choices when ordering.

The Battering and Frying Process

Unlike healthier Chinese chicken dishes, honey chicken is usually deep-fried, and this is a primary source of its high caloric load. The chicken is typically coated in a batter made from flour, cornstarch, and egg, and then cooked in a generous amount of oil. The batter acts like a sponge, soaking up a significant amount of the cooking fat, which substantially increases the fat and calorie content. Some restaurants may double-fry the chicken to ensure extra crispiness, further driving up the calories.

The Sweet and Sticky Sauce

The signature sweet and tangy honey sauce is another calorie-heavy component. While the name suggests honey, many takeout versions also use copious amounts of sugar, corn syrup, and other sweeteners to achieve the desired sticky consistency and flavor. This sauce often includes a cornstarch-based thickener, which also adds a modest number of carbohydrates and calories. The amount of sauce added to the dish can change the total calorie count by hundreds of calories.

Serving Size and Portion Control

Chinese restaurant portion sizes are notoriously large. A single plastic or foil container of honey chicken often contains multiple servings, but many people eat the entire container in one sitting, vastly overshooting a typical calorie recommendation. While a small, standardized serving might have a lower calorie count (e.g., a reported 466 calories for a smaller Asian crispy honey chicken), a full restaurant-sized portion is likely to be much higher, potentially exceeding 1,000 calories.

Calorie Comparison: Honey Chicken vs. Other Takeout Dishes

To put the calories of honey chicken into perspective, it's helpful to compare it to other popular Chinese takeout meals. This comparison can reveal which dishes are the most calorie-dense.


Dish	Typical Calorie Range (per standard container)*	Key Calorie Sources
Honey Chicken	600–1,000+ kcal	Battered, deep-fried chicken; sugary sauce
General Tso's Chicken	900–1,300+ kcal	Battered, deep-fried chicken; sweet and spicy sauce with high sugar and oil
Sweet and Sour Chicken (in batter)	500–1,000+ kcal	Battered, deep-fried chicken; sugary sauce
Chicken Chow Mein	700–850 kcal	Oily noodles; various ingredients and sauces
Beef with Green Peppers	500–600 kcal	Oil used in stir-frying, sauce

*Estimates are for full restaurant portions and can vary based on restaurant and preparation.

Tips for a Lighter Takeout Experience

If you're mindful of your calorie intake but still want to enjoy Chinese food, here are some strategies to reduce the calorie count:

Choose Steamed over Fried: Opt for steamed chicken or fish with vegetables. You can find many recipes for healthier, baked honey chicken at home.
Request Sauce on the Side: Ask for your honey sauce to be served separately. This allows you to control exactly how much you add to your dish, saving significant calories from the sugar and oil in the sauce.
Portion Control: Instead of eating the entire takeout container in one sitting, save half for leftovers. You can also pair it with a healthier side, like steamed vegetables or brown rice, instead of fried rice.
Order Vegetable-Based Dishes: Dishes like steamed vegetables with a light sauce contain far fewer calories than battered meat dishes.
Avoid Fried Appetizers: Steer clear of appetizers like prawn toast and spring rolls, which are high in calories due to deep-frying.

Conclusion

Chinese honey chicken takeout is a delicious but calorie-dense meal, with a single portion often containing 600 to 1,000+ calories due to the deep-fried batter and sugary sauce. While it's not a healthy option for frequent consumption, you can enjoy it in moderation by being mindful of portion sizes and making smarter choices. Opting for sauce on the side, choosing baked alternatives, or selecting healthier dishes like steamed chicken with vegetables can help you significantly lower the calorie count without sacrificing flavor. It's about balance and making informed decisions to align your enjoyment of food with your health goals. For a deeper dive into making healthier versions of your favorite Chinese takeout dishes, consider exploring resources from culinary websites like BBC Food.

Sources

BetterMe: Chinese Food Calories: What To Order To Stay In Your ... - The high calorie nature of deep-fried and heavily sauced Chinese food.

Eat This Much: Asian Honey Chicken - A high-end estimate for Asian honey chicken.

Inlivo: Crispy Honey Chicken Nutrition Facts & Calories - A high estimate for crispy honey chicken.

Skinnytaste: Healthy Honey Chicken {Asian Inspired} - Recipe for a healthier, baked version of honey chicken.

BBC Food: Honey chilli chicken recipe - A recipe for a healthier take on honey chicken.

Quora: How many calories are in a Chinese takeaway? - General information about high-calorie Chinese takeout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. While they can vary by restaurant, both dishes involve deep-fried chicken in a sugary sauce and are generally very high in calories. General Tso's can sometimes be even higher in calories.

To make it healthier, ask for the honey sauce on the side and use it sparingly. You can also opt for a non-battered, stir-fried chicken with a vegetable side to reduce fat and calories.

The two main sources of calories are the deep-fried batter on the chicken and the high-sugar, oil-based sauce. The oil used for frying significantly increases the fat and calorie content.

A typical takeout serving can contain a very high amount of sugar, with some reports suggesting up to 39 grams of sugar in a standardized portion and even more in larger containers. The sauce is a major contributor to this.

Yes, a baked version is almost always significantly lower in calories. Removing the deep-frying process eliminates a large amount of added oil and fat.

No. While many popular dishes involving deep-frying and heavy sauces are high in calories, healthier options exist. Steamed dishes with light sauces or vegetable-heavy stir-fries are generally lower in calories.

The cut of chicken can affect the calorie count. Using skinless chicken breast is leaner and lower in calories than chicken thigh meat. However, the preparation method (deep-frying) and sauce contribute far more to the total calories.