How many calories are in grilled chicken at McDonald's?

November 25, 2025 •

3 min read

While McDonald's may have discontinued its premium grilled chicken sandwiches and salads in the U.S. and some other countries, many international menus still feature grilled chicken items. The calorie count for these items varies significantly depending on the specific product, so asking how many calories are in grilled chicken at McDonald's requires examining each option individually. A grilled chicken fillet can be as low as 90 calories, while a fully dressed sandwich can climb to over 400 calories.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for McDonald's grilled chicken varies by item and location, as not all grilled chicken products are available globally. A simple grilled chicken fillet is significantly lower in calories than a complete sandwich or snack wrap, which includes added buns, sauces, and other toppings. The specific nutritional profile is heavily influenced by the meal's components, including fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

Key Points

Calorie Count Varies: The number of calories in grilled chicken at McDonald's is not static and depends on the specific menu item, such as a sandwich, salad, or wrap.
Fillet is Leanest: A basic grilled chicken fillet from archived data contains around 90 calories, making it a very lean, high-protein component.
Sandwiches Add Significant Calories: Buns, sauces, and toppings drastically increase the calorie count, with some sandwiches reaching 400 calories or more.
Wraps are Lower-Calorie Options: Grilled chicken snack wraps are a smaller and lower-calorie choice, typically around 220 calories, depending on the specific additions.
Customization is Key: Asking for less sauce, extra vegetables, or no bun are effective ways to reduce the overall calories and improve the nutritional value of your meal.
Sodium Can Be High: While lower in fat than fried chicken, grilled chicken items at McDonald's can still be high in sodium due to seasonings and sauces.
Menu Items Differ Regionally: Many popular grilled chicken items, like the Artisan Grilled Chicken sandwich, are no longer available in the U.S. but can be found on international menus.

Understanding the Calorie Differences in McDonald's Grilled Chicken

The perception of fast-food grilled chicken is often that it's a 'healthy' alternative to fried options. While this is generally true, the total calorie count can still be influenced by the preparation and additional ingredients. At McDonald's, the nutritional data depends on which item you select and which country's menu you are viewing, as offerings differ significantly.

The Bare Grilled Chicken Fillet

For those seeking the leanest option, the basic grilled chicken fillet is the most revealing. According to archived nutritional data for a discontinued fillet, a single chicken breast portion contained approximately 90 calories. This portion offers a high protein-to-calorie ratio, with around 20g of protein and just 1g of fat, making it a very lean protein source. However, this fillet is not served on its own and the calories increase substantially once paired with other ingredients.

Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

Many international McDonald's menus still feature grilled chicken sandwiches. For example, the Grilled Chicken Sandwich from McDonald's Canada has approximately 400 calories, a notable increase from the bare fillet. The additional 310 calories come primarily from the potato bun, mayo-style sauce, and other toppings. A Spicy Grilled Chicken Sandwich from the same region sits slightly lower at 380 calories. These sandwiches demonstrate how added sauces and buns can more than quadruple the calorie count of the base chicken fillet.

Snack Wraps and Salads

Snack wraps with grilled chicken, a product recently brought back in some regions, offer a lower-calorie, smaller portion size. A Grilled Chicken Snack Wrap from McDonald's Canada contains about 220 calories. The calorie count remains low thanks to the smaller tortilla and more minimal toppings compared to a full sandwich. Similarly, older or international versions of salads featuring grilled chicken can be relatively low in calories. A Grilled Chicken Salad from McDonald's UK, for instance, is around 139 kcal before dressing. However, dressings, like McDonald's Balsamic Dressing, contribute additional calories and should be considered.

Ingredient and Preparation Factors

It is important to remember that McDonald's grilled chicken isn't simply plain chicken breast. The ingredients for the Grilled Chicken Portion in Canada include chicken breast, water, rice starch, salt, sugar, onion powder, natural flavor, and other seasonings. It is then cooked on a grill with clarified butter, which adds flavor but also a small amount of fat and calories. This differs from a home-cooked breast and explains the higher sodium and other nutritional values compared to unseasoned poultry.

Calorie Comparison: Grilled vs. Crispy Chicken

This table highlights the significant difference in calories and other nutritional factors when comparing grilled and crispy chicken options at McDonald's, based on comparable-sized products available in various global markets.


Feature	Grilled Chicken Sandwich (Canada)	Crispy Chicken Sandwich (Approximate, U.S. Menu)
Calories	~400 kcal	~510-520 kcal
Total Fat	16g	21g+
Saturated Fat	Lower	Higher
Sodium	650mg	1000mg+
Protein	31g	~27g
Carbohydrates	32g	~51g
Key Difference	Healthier fat profile, lower sodium.	Higher fat content from breading, higher carb count.

Making a Healthier Choice

Even when choosing a grilled chicken item, customization can make a difference. To reduce calories, you can ask for no sauce or a lighter condiment. For wraps and salads, extra vegetables are a great way to increase fiber and volume without adding many calories. Skipping the cheese or opting for whole-wheat bread when available can also improve the nutritional profile. These small adjustments can help maintain a more balanced diet while still enjoying a fast-food meal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the calorie count for grilled chicken at McDonald's is not a single number but depends entirely on the specific menu item and location. A plain grilled chicken fillet is low in calories, but full sandwiches and wraps increase the count due to buns, sauces, and other additives. While generally a lower-calorie option than its fried counterpart, a grilled chicken item can still be high in sodium and other factors that should be considered for a balanced diet. Always check the nutritional information for the specific item available at your local McDonald's to make the most informed decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

As of late 2024 and mid-2025, McDonald's has discontinued its Premium grilled chicken sandwiches and salads in the U.S. and many other locations, though they remain on some international menus.

According to archived data for a single fillet, the unadorned McDonald's grilled chicken patty contains approximately 90 calories, with a high protein content of about 20g.

Grilled chicken sandwiches are typically lower in calories than their crispy (fried) counterparts. For example, a Canadian grilled chicken sandwich is 400 calories, while a crispy version is often 500+ calories.

Like the sandwiches, grilled chicken salads were largely phased out in the U.S. but may still be on the menu in other countries. The calories in a salad can vary based on dressings and additional toppings.

A grilled chicken snack wrap from McDonald's can have around 220 calories, making it one of the lower-calorie options on the menu.

To lower the calorie count, you can skip the bun (if having a sandwich), ask for less or no sauce, and choose a side salad with a low-calorie dressing instead of fries.

While it is a healthier alternative to fried chicken due to lower fat content, the overall healthiness depends on the complete meal. Pay attention to high sodium levels and added sauces, which can add significant calories.