Nutrition Diet: What is the healthiest thing to eat at El Pollo Loco?

November 11, 2025 •

3 min read

In 2018, El Pollo Loco introduced an 'Under 500 Calories' menu to highlight healthier choices for customers. Navigating a fast-food menu while maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be challenging, so knowing what is the healthiest thing to eat at El Pollo Loco? is key to making informed decisions that support your nutritional goals.

Quick Summary

This guide covers the most nutritious items on the El Pollo Loco menu, focusing on high-protein, low-calorie choices like the Double Chicken Avocado Pollo Fit Bowl and customized salads. Learn how to make smart substitutions and pick healthier sides to create a balanced meal.

Key Points

Double Chicken Avocado Pollo Fit Bowl: This is a healthy choice, offering high protein and healthy fats with cilantro lime cauliflower rice and greens.
Plain Fire-Grilled Chicken Breast: Ordering a single grilled chicken breast a la carte provides lean protein with zero carbs, suitable for a healthy meal base.
Customize Salads and Bowls: Removing the fried shell from the Classic Tostada Salad reduces calories and fat significantly.
Choose Healthier Sides: Opt for sides like steamed broccoli, black beans, or a Loco Side Salad over higher-fat options.
Mind Your Dressings and Toppings: Control calorie and sodium intake by using fresh salsas or dressings sparingly on the side.
Build Your Own Low-Carb Meal: Combine plain grilled chicken with a side salad or steamed broccoli for a simple, low-carb meal.

Eating healthy doesn't mean you have to avoid fast food entirely. With a menu focused on fire-grilled chicken, El Pollo Loco offers several options that align with a nutritious diet, especially when you know what to order and how to customize it. By understanding the nutritional information and focusing on key ingredients, it's possible to create a satisfying and wholesome meal on the go.

The Pollo Fit Menu: Your Best Starting Point

For anyone looking for a quick, healthy meal, the dedicated Pollo Fit menu is the ideal place to start. These bowls prioritize protein and vegetables.

Double Protein Avocado Pollo Fit Bowl: This bowl contains chopped fire-grilled chicken breast, organic super greens, cilantro lime cauliflower rice, and avocado. It offers protein, healthy fats, and fiber with controlled calories.
Double Protein Mexican Caesar Pollo Fit Bowl: A keto-friendly option with chicken breast, greens, avocado, radishes, and cotija cheese. Removing the dressing keeps net carbs low.

Pure Protein: Fire-Grilled Chicken a la Carte

Ordering El Pollo Loco's signature fire-grilled chicken by the piece is a simple and nutritious choice. A single fire-grilled chicken breast is an excellent source of lean protein with no carbohydrates. It offers 34 grams of protein for roughly 200 calories. Pairing it with healthier sides like broccoli or a side salad creates a balanced meal.

Customizable Bowls and Salads

Many menu items can be made healthier with small changes. Starting with protein and fresh ingredients helps control the meal's nutritional content.

Classic Tostada Salad (without the shell): The standard Classic Tostada Salad is high in calories due to the fried tortilla bowl. Skipping the shell significantly reduces calories and fat while still allowing you to enjoy the chicken, beans, rice, and vegetables.
Custom Taco Salad: A healthier approach is to order Chicken Tacos al Carbon and add their contents to a Loco Side Salad. This provides flavor without the extra fat and sodium of larger menu items.

Healthy Side Dishes for a Balanced Meal

Choosing the right sides is key to a healthy meal. Focus on nutrient-dense, low-calorie options.

Best Options: Broccoli, a side salad, pinto beans, or cilantro lime cauliflower rice are great choices for fiber and vitamins.
Less Healthy Options: Mashed potatoes with gravy and macaroni & cheese are much higher in calories, fat, and sodium.

Comparison of Healthy vs. Less Healthy Choices

Making informed choices requires comparing options. Here's how a healthy choice compares to a less healthy one.


Item	Calories	Fat (g)	Protein (g)	Sodium (mg)	Notes
Double Chicken Avocado Pollo Fit Bowl	500	18	50	1140	High in protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
Double Chicken Tostada Salad	1000	49	61	1730	High calories and fat due to fried shell and higher sodium content.

Tips for Optimizing Your Meal

Employing general strategies can further enhance the healthfulness of your meal.

Choose sauces wisely: Creamy sauces add calories and sodium. Opt for fresh salsas or use creamy dressings sparingly on the side. Avocado salsa is a flavorful low-calorie option.
Skip cheese and sour cream: These toppings increase fat and calories. Omitting them is an easy way to lighten your meal.
Focus on customization: Adapt items to your diet; for example, order a burrito filling as a low-carb bowl without the tortilla.
Hydrate with water or unsweetened tea: Avoid sugary drinks which add empty calories. Unsweetened iced tea is a zero-calorie alternative.

Making Healthy Choices Simplified

The Double Chicken Avocado Pollo Fit Bowl is a top healthy choice. El Pollo Loco's fire-grilled chicken is a good foundation for a healthy meal. For more detailed nutrition information, visit El Pollo Loco's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

One of the lowest calorie options is the fire-grilled chicken breast, which contains around 200 calories per piece. Another excellent low-calorie choice is the Loco Side Salad with no dressing.

The Original Pollo Bowl is a relatively balanced option, featuring rice, pinto beans, and chicken breast. However, it is high in sodium, so it's a good idea to consider that if you are monitoring your sodium intake.

While the keto burrito is low in net carbs, it is still high in sodium and calories compared to other healthy options. It's a better choice than a traditional burrito but not the healthiest overall item on the menu.

The healthiest side dishes are broccoli, the Loco Side Salad, and pinto or black beans. These provide essential nutrients and fiber with fewer calories and fat than other options like mashed potatoes or macaroni & cheese.

To reduce sodium, focus on ordering plain grilled chicken and avoiding salty toppings like cheese and creamy dressings. Requesting fresh salsa instead can add flavor without as much sodium.

Yes, El Pollo Loco has several low-carb options. The Double Chicken Avocado Pollo Fit Bowl (without the cauliflower rice) and ordering grilled chicken a la carte with a side of broccoli or a salad are great choices for a low-carb diet.

Yes, the Baja shrimp is a good alternative to chicken and is often lower in calories and cholesterol. For example, the Shrimp Tostada Salad without the shell is a lighter option than its chicken counterpart.