Understanding Nutrition: How many calories are in a charbroiled chicken club?

October 31, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data from popular fast-food chains, a charbroiled chicken club sandwich typically contains between 500 and 700 calories, varying significantly by restaurant and ingredients. Knowing how many calories are in a charbroiled chicken club is the first step toward making informed dietary decisions.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for a charbroiled chicken club differs based on the restaurant's preparation, ingredients, and toppings. The core components, including the chicken, bun, bacon, cheese, and mayonnaise, contribute to its total nutritional profile, which can be modified for lower calorie intake.

Key Points

Variable Calories: The calorie count of a charbroiled chicken club varies significantly, typically ranging from 500 to 700 calories, depending on the restaurant and ingredients.
Ingredient Impact: Components like bacon, cheese, and mayonnaise are major contributors to the high-calorie and fat content of the sandwich.
Restaurant Differences: Chick-fil-A's Grilled Chicken Club, at approximately 520 calories, is often a lighter option compared to Carl's Jr. or Hardee's versions, which can reach 600-650 calories.
Healthy Modifications: Reducing or removing high-calorie ingredients like mayonnaise, cheese, and bacon can significantly lower the total calorie count.
Dietary Role: While not a low-calorie meal, a customized charbroiled chicken club can fit into a balanced diet when consumed in moderation and paired with lighter meals throughout the day.

Calorie Breakdown of a Charbroiled Chicken Club

For many, a charbroiled chicken club sandwich can seem like a healthier option than a traditional fried chicken sandwich. While grilling the chicken does save some calories, the total count is heavily influenced by the other ingredients. Fast-food versions from chains like Carl's Jr., Hardee's, and Chick-fil-A have their own specific recipes, resulting in different calorie totals.

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's Charbroiled Chicken Club

Carl's Jr. and its sister company Hardee's offer a very similar sandwich. The Carl's Jr. Charbroiled Chicken Club features a charbroiled chicken breast, two strips of bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise on a toasted bun. The calorie count can range depending on the data source, with some reports showing it around 600 calories, and others slightly higher. Hardee's version is also often cited at around 650 calories. The significant contributors to this calorie count are the bacon, cheese, and mayonnaise. Each adds a considerable amount of fat and sodium, driving up the total energy content.

Chick-fil-A's Grilled Chicken Club

Chick-fil-A's sandwich is a good example of how slight modifications can lower the calorie count. Their Grilled Chicken Club sandwich is served on a multigrain brioche bun with Colby Jack cheese, bacon, lettuce, and tomato. According to their nutrition information, it contains approximately 520 calories. The difference stems from the bun choice, a potentially leaner bacon preparation, and different cheese types. It highlights that even within the same product category, nutritional values are not uniform across restaurants.

Factors that Influence Calorie Count

When a charbroiled chicken club exceeds the 500-calorie mark, it's typically due to several factors that accumulate to increase the total energy density. Understanding these components can help you make more conscious choices.

The Bun: A large, rich brioche or sourdough bun contains more carbohydrates and fats than a standard or multigrain option, adding extra calories.
The Bacon: While delicious, bacon is a significant source of fat and sodium. Two to three slices can easily add 80 to 120 calories, or more, to the sandwich total.
The Cheese: Swiss or Colby Jack cheese adds flavor but also a notable amount of calories and saturated fat. Each slice can add around 50-100 calories.
The Mayonnaise: A generous spread of regular mayonnaise can contribute an additional 90 to 180 calories per serving due to its high fat content.
Portion Size: The overall size of the sandwich, including the chicken breast itself, can lead to calorie variations. A larger portion of any ingredient will increase the total calorie count.

Comparison of Charbroiled Chicken Club Sandwiches


Item	Calories	Total Fat	Sodium
Carl's Jr. Charbroiled Chicken Club	~600	~29g	~1450mg
Hardee's Charbroiled Chicken Club	650	29g	1870mg
Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Club	520	22g	1115mg

Healthier Modifications for Your Sandwich

For those monitoring their intake, a charbroiled chicken club can be customized to align with nutritional goals. Small adjustments can significantly reduce the overall calorie, fat, and sodium content.

Hold the Mayo: Simply asking for no mayonnaise can save a substantial number of calories from fat. Many restaurants offer healthier alternatives like mustard or a light vinaigrette that won't compromise flavor.
Reduce the Bacon: Reducing the amount of bacon or omitting it entirely is another effective way to decrease fat and sodium. Some restaurants might offer a leaner turkey bacon alternative.
No Cheese: Skipping the cheese is a simple and effective strategy. If you must have cheese, consider asking for a half portion or a lower-fat option if available.
Lettuce Wrap: For the most significant calorie and carbohydrate reduction, opt for a lettuce wrap instead of a bun. Some chains, like Hardee's, offer this option, lowering the total calories significantly.
Portion Control: Sometimes, the best modification is simply sharing the sandwich or saving half for later. This allows you to enjoy the flavor without overdoing it on calories.

The Role of a Charbroiled Chicken Club in a Balanced Diet

It is important to remember that a charbroiled chicken club, even with modifications, is still often a single meal with a high calorie and sodium count compared to a home-cooked meal. While it can fit into a balanced diet occasionally, it's wise to consider its place within your overall daily intake. For instance, if you have this sandwich for lunch, you might opt for a lighter dinner and reduce other high-calorie snacks throughout the day. Paying attention to overall intake is more effective than focusing solely on one meal. For more information on creating a balanced nutrition plan, you can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity website.

Conclusion

While a charbroiled chicken club can be a tasty and satisfying meal, the answer to how many calories are in a charbroiled chicken club? is not a single number. It depends heavily on the specific restaurant and the preparation method. Fast-food versions typically range from 500 to 700 calories, primarily influenced by the bun, cheese, bacon, and mayonnaise. By understanding these components, consumers can make simple but effective modifications to reduce the overall calories and improve the sandwich's nutritional profile, allowing it to fit into a balanced diet in moderation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main ingredients adding significant calories are the bacon, cheese (like Swiss or Colby Jack), and high-fat spreads like mayonnaise. The type of bun also plays a role in the total calorie count.

A charbroiled (or grilled) chicken club generally contains fewer calories than a fried chicken sandwich because the chicken itself is not fried in oil. However, added ingredients like bacon, cheese, and mayonnaise can make the total calorie count comparable to, or even higher than, some fried alternatives.

To reduce calories, you can ask for no mayonnaise, omit the bacon and cheese, or switch the bun for a lettuce wrap, if available. Many fast-food chains are accommodating to these types of requests.

The type of bun, such as brioche, sourdough, or a standard white bun, influences the calorie count due to varying carbohydrate and fat content. A larger, richer bun will add more calories than a smaller or whole-grain option.

The sodium content is typically high, often exceeding 1,000mg. For example, Carl's Jr. and Hardee's versions have been reported to contain between 1,450mg and 1,870mg of sodium, largely due to the bacon and processed cheese.

Yes, a charbroiled chicken club is a good source of protein, with most fast-food versions providing between 37g and 44g of protein per sandwich, from the chicken breast and bacon. Protein contributes to satiety and supports muscle mass.

Yes, preparing a version at home allows for total control over ingredients. You can use a smaller, whole-grain bun, less bacon, low-fat cheese or skip it entirely, and use a light mayo substitute or a mustard spread to significantly reduce calories and fat.