How many calories does Popeyes have? A Comprehensive Guide

November 30, 2025 •

3 min read

The Popeyes Classic Chicken Sandwich contains approximately 700 calories. A trip to Popeyes is often a delicious treat, but understanding how many calories does Popeyes have is key for those tracking their nutritional intake. This guide offers a detailed breakdown of the calorie content across its menu, from the famous fried chicken to its Cajun-style sides.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the calorie content for popular Popeyes menu items, including sandwiches, chicken pieces, tenders, and sides, to help customers understand the nutritional impact of their choices. It offers information on both higher-calorie and lower-calorie options available.

Key Points

Chicken Sandwiches: The Classic and Spicy Chicken Sandwiches both contain approximately 700 calories.
Blackened Tenders: The 3-piece Blackened Tenders are the lowest-calorie chicken option, with only 170 calories, as they are not breaded or fried.
Side Choices: Regular green beans (60 calories) and mashed potatoes (110 calories) are the lowest-calorie sides available.
High-Calorie Items: Large Cajun Fries (800 calories) and the Spicy Superstack Sandwich (907 calories) are among the most calorie-dense items.
Customizing Your Order: Modifying your meal by choosing smaller portion sizes, opting for unbreaded chicken, and avoiding extra sauce can significantly reduce overall calorie intake.
Dessert Facts: Desserts like the Pecan Pie (410 calories) can add a significant number of calories to your meal.
Overall Diet: Popeyes can fit into a balanced diet with mindful choices and portion control, despite being a fast-food restaurant.

Popeyes Chicken Sandwiches and Fried Chicken Calories

Popeyes is most famous for its chicken, and the calorie counts reflect the delicious, deep-fried preparation. The signature items vary significantly based on the cut of chicken and whether it is breaded or unbreaded.

Chicken Sandwiches

The viral Classic Chicken Sandwich is a calorie-heavy option, but its spicy counterpart is comparable. These sandwiches, served on a brioche bun with pickles and mayo, offer a significant energy boost.

Classic Chicken Sandwich: 700 calories.
Spicy Chicken Sandwich: 700 calories.
Classic Superstack Sandwich (UK): 867 kcal.
Spicy Superstack Sandwich (UK): 907 kcal.

Signature Chicken (Bone-in)

Calorie counts for the bone-in chicken pieces depend on the cut. Breasts are the most calorific due to their larger size, while legs are a lower-calorie choice.

Mild Chicken Breast: 440 calories.
Spicy Chicken Breast: 420 calories.
Mild Chicken Thigh: 280 calories.
Spicy Chicken Thigh: 260 calories.
Mild Chicken Leg: 160 calories.
Spicy Chicken Leg: 170 calories.

Tenders and Nuggets

For those who prefer boneless chicken, Popeyes offers tenders and nuggets. The Blackened Chicken Tenders are a standout option for health-conscious diners, as they are not breaded and offer a much lower calorie count.

3-piece Handcrafted Mild Tenders: 340 calories.
3-piece Handcrafted Spicy Tenders: 310 calories.
5-piece Handcrafted Tenders: 740 calories.
3-piece Blackened Chicken Tenders: 170 calories.
5-piece Blackened Chicken Tenders: 280 calories.
4-piece Chicken Nuggets (Kid's): 150 calories.

Seafood Options

Popeyes offers a selection of seafood for those who want an alternative to chicken. Calorie counts for seafood can vary by regional menu offerings.

Popcorn Shrimp (1/4 pound): 390 calories.
3-piece Cajun Fish Filet: 380 calories.
Catfish Filet (2 pieces): 460 calories.

Calorie Breakdown for Popeyes Sides and Desserts

Side dishes and desserts can significantly add to the total calorie count of a meal. While some options are surprisingly low in calories, others are very high.

Sides

Regular Cajun Fries: 270 calories.
Large Cajun Fries: 800 calories.
Regular Mashed Potatoes w/ Cajun Gravy: 110 calories.
Regular Coleslaw: 220 calories.
Regular Red Beans & Rice: 230 calories.
Biscuit: 210 calories.
Regular Macaroni & Cheese: 200 calories.
Regular Green Beans: 60 calories.

Desserts

Cinnamon Apple Pie: 240 calories.
Mardi Gras Cheesecake: 310 calories.
Pecan Pie: 410 calories.

Comparison Table: Popular Popeyes Items vs. Healthier Choices


Item	Calories	Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Notes
Spicy Chicken Sandwich	700	42	1,460	High in fat and sodium.
3-piece Blackened Tenders	170	2	550	Lowest calorie chicken option; not breaded.
Regular Cajun Fries	270	15	580	A moderate side option.
Regular Green Beans	60	2	680	Lowest calorie side option.
Large Cajun Fries	800	41	1,440	Very high calorie and sodium side.

How to Manage Your Calorie Intake at Popeyes

For many, a trip to Popeyes is a chance to indulge. However, if you are looking to manage your calorie intake, there are ways to make more moderate choices. Choosing healthier options from the menu and modifying your order can make a big difference.

Tips for a Lighter Meal

Go for Blackened Tenders: The blackened chicken tenders are not breaded and fried, making them significantly lower in calories and fat than their Handcrafted counterparts. They also offer a good dose of protein to keep you feeling full.
Choose Lower-Calorie Sides: Opt for the regular mashed potatoes or green beans instead of the high-calorie Cajun fries. The regular coleslaw is also a more moderate choice than the large-size fried sides.
Drink Water: Sodas and other sugary beverages can pack a lot of extra, empty calories. Sticking with water is the best way to avoid unnecessary sugar intake.
Avoid Sauces: Dipping sauces can add hundreds of extra calories and a ton of sodium. Skipping the ranch or buttermilk sauces and opting for milder, lower-calorie options like Creole Cocktail sauce can be a good compromise.
Control Your Portions: Be mindful of the number of pieces you order. A single leg or a small portion of tenders is a much more reasonable meal than a large combo meal.

Conclusion

Understanding how many calories does Popeyes have is crucial for making informed food choices. While many of the items are calorie-dense, particularly the fried chicken and large sides, there are also healthier options available on the menu, such as the blackened tenders and green beans. By being mindful of your choices, you can still enjoy Popeyes as part of a balanced diet. Whether you're looking for a low-calorie meal or indulging in your favorites, the key is portion control and knowing the nutritional facts before you order. For further research, check out the official Popeyes nutritional information document on their website. [https://popeyes.com/nutrition-info]

Frequently Asked Questions

The Popeyes Classic Chicken Sandwich contains approximately 700 calories. This total includes the fried chicken, brioche bun, and mayonnaise.

The lowest calorie main dish at Popeyes is the 3-piece Blackened Chicken Tenders, which contains 170 calories. This item is not breaded and is prepared with Cajun seasoning instead of a heavy batter.

Yes, Popeyes' blackened tenders are a healthier option because they are not breaded or fried in the same way as the handcrafted tenders. They contain only 170 calories for a 3-piece serving, significantly less than the 340 calories in the regular mild tenders.

A single Popeyes biscuit contains 210 calories. Biscuits, often included with meals, can add a substantial amount of calories and fat to your order.

The lowest calorie side dishes are regular green beans (60 calories) and regular mashed potatoes with Cajun gravy (110 calories).

To reduce calories, you can choose the blackened tenders instead of fried chicken, select lower-calorie sides like green beans or mashed potatoes, skip dipping sauces, and choose a smaller portion size.

No, the calorie difference between mild and spicy versions of fried chicken at Popeyes is generally minimal. For example, the Classic and Spicy Chicken Sandwiches both have around 700 calories.