Dave’s Hot Chicken Low Calorie Options — Ranked Food Guide
Every food item at Dave’s Hot Chicken ranked by calorie count — meals, sides and individual pieces only. The lowest calorie chicken option is the Single Tender at 449 kcal with 30g protein. Use the free calorie calculator to build a lower-calorie order.
Best low calorie food options
Meals and sides only — zero-calorie drinks excluded from this ranking.
Pickles
11 kcal
0g protein
Mac & Cheese
421 kcal
15g protein
Single Tender
449 kcal
30g protein
Single Slider
553 kcal
35g protein
10pc Dave's Bites
601 kcal
39g protein
Cheese Fries
715 kcal
8.2g protein
Dave's Sauce Tub
819 kcal
1.9g protein
Top Loaded Fries - Small
958 kcal
20g protein
Best high protein, low calorie choices
Ranked by protein per 100 kcal — highest return on your calorie budget.
Lowest calorie combo meals
Full meal deals including fries and a drink, ranked lowest to highest.
- 1 Top Loaded Fries - Regular 1,251 kcal 33g prot
- 2 10pc Dave's Bites w/ Fries 1,271 kcal 46g prot
- 3 Dave's #4 1,299 kcal 43g prot
- 4 Dave's #1 1,418 kcal 67g prot
- 5 Top Loaded Fries - Large 1,559 kcal 50g prot
- 6 Dave's #3 1,604 kcal 72g prot
- 7 Dave's #2 1,789 kcal 77g prot
Lowest calorie sides & individual items
À la carte items you can order individually, ranked lowest to highest.
- 1 Pickles 11 kcal 0g prot
- 2 Mac & Cheese 421 kcal 15g prot
- 3 Single Tender 449 kcal 30g prot
- 4 Single Slider 553 kcal 35g prot
- 5 10pc Dave's Bites 601 kcal 39g prot
- 6 Cheese Fries 715 kcal 8.2g prot
- 7 Dave's Sauce Tub 819 kcal 1.9g prot
- 8 Top Loaded Fries - Small 958 kcal 20g prot
Build a meal under 1,000 calories
Realistic combinations with total calories and protein — food only, no drink included unless noted.
| Order | kcal | Protein | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Tender | 449 | 30g | Leanest way to get chicken — one tender on its own. |
| Single Tender + Pickles | 460 | 30g | Add a side for almost no extra calories. |
| Single Tender + Mac & Cheese | 870 | 45g | Most popular lower-calorie build — just under 900 kcal. |
| Single Slider + Mac & Cheese | 974 | 50g | A step up in size and still under 1,000 kcal. |
| 10pc Dave's Bites + Mac & Cheese | 1,022 | 54g | Highest protein build just over 1,000 kcal. |
| Dave's #4 | 1,299 | 43g | Lowest calorie combo meal with fries and drink included. |
Individual item orders do not include a drink. Dave’s #4 is a full meal deal including fries and a regular drink.
Build a lower-calorie meal
Use the free calculator to add your chosen items and see exact calories, protein, carbs and fat for your full order.
All food items ranked by calories
Meals and sides only — drinks, shakes and slushers are excluded. Items marked * show Not Hot / Lite Mild values.
| Item | Section | kcal ↑ | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Salt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pickles | Sides | 11 | 0g | 1.4g | 0g | 0.6g |
| Mac & Cheese | Sides | 421 | 15g | 38g | 22g | 1.8g |
| Single Tender* | Sides | 449 | 30g | 32g | 22g | 2.4g |
| Single Slider* | Sides | 553 | 35g | 41g | 27g | 2.5g |
| 10pc Dave's Bites* | Sides | 601 | 39g | 40g | 32g | 2.8g |
| Cheese Fries | Sides | 715 | 8.2g | 83g | 38g | 2.9g |
| Dave's Sauce Tub | Sides | 819 | 1.9g | 24g | 79g | 3.5g |
| Top Loaded Fries - Small* | Sides | 958 | 20g | 95g | 54g | 4.2g |
| Top Loaded Fries - Regular* | Meals | 1,251 | 33g | 109g | 74g | 6.3g |
| 10pc Dave's Bites w/ Fries* | Meals | 1,271 | 46g | 120g | 66g | 5.2g |
| Dave's #4* | Meals | 1,299 | 43g | 125g | 68g | 5.3g |
| Dave's #1* | Meals | 1,418 | 67g | 139g | 64g | 5.7g |
| Top Loaded Fries - Large* | Meals | 1,559 | 50g | 126g | 92g | 9.2g |
| Dave's #3* | Meals | 1,604 | 72g | 152g | 76g | 6.6g |
| Dave's #2* | Meals | 1,789 | 77g | 164g | 89g | 7.5g |
* Values shown for Not Hot / Lite Mild variant. Click any item name to see all spice variants.
Low calorie drink options
Drinks are excluded from the food rankings above but choosing the right drink makes a meaningful difference to your total order calories.
Zero calorie (0 kcal)
- Still Water - 330ml Can 0 kcal
- Sparkling Water - 330ml Can 0 kcal
- Coca Cola Zero 330ml Can 0 kcal
- Coca Cola Zero - Large 0 kcal
- Coca Cola Zero - Regular 0 kcal
- Diet Coke 330ml Can 0 kcal
- Diet Coke - Large 0 kcal
- Diet Coke - Regular 0 kcal
- Sprite Zero 330ml Can 0 kcal
- Sprite Zero - Large 0 kcal
- Sprite Zero - Regular 0 kcal
- Dr Pepper Zero - Large 0 kcal
- Dr Pepper Zero - Regular 0 kcal
Under 100 kcal
- Fanta 330ml Can 59 kcal
- Lipton Peach Iced Tea 60 kcal
- Lipton Lemon Iced Tea 60 kcal
Frequently asked questions
- What is the lowest calorie meal at Dave's Hot Chicken?
- The Top-Loaded Fries Regular (Meal) is the lowest calorie full combo at 1,251 kcal. If you order individual items rather than a meal deal, the Single Tender (449 kcal, 30g protein) is the most calorie-efficient chicken option.
- What is the best low calorie food choice at Dave's Hot Chicken?
- The Single Tender (449 kcal, 30g protein) offers the best combination of low calories and high protein. Pairing it with Mac & Cheese gives you 870 kcal and 45g protein — a solid choice for a calorie-controlled diet.
- Can I eat Dave's Hot Chicken on a calorie deficit?
- Yes. Individual items like the Single Tender (449 kcal) or Single Slider (553 kcal) are manageable within a 2,000 kcal daily budget. Order individual sides rather than combo meals to keep calories down.
- What are the lowest calorie sides at Dave's Hot Chicken?
- Pickles (11 kcal) are the lowest. Mac & Cheese (421 kcal, 15g protein) is the most balanced low-calorie side. The Single Tender (449 kcal) and Single Slider (553 kcal) are higher in protein and still relatively low in calories.
- Are Dave's Hot Chicken drinks low calorie?
- Diet variants (Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Sprite Zero, Dr Pepper Zero) and water have 0 kcal. Fanta Can and Lipton Iced Tea sit around 59–60 kcal. Regular sodas and slushers range from 132–248 kcal. Drinks are excluded from the food rankings on this page.
Related nutrition guides
Based on Dave’s Hot Chicken’s published nutritional guide. Values may vary. Not affiliated with Dave’s Hot Chicken.