Applebee's vs Chili's: Calorie Comparison (2026)

When it comes to casual dining, Applebee's and Chili's are two popular contenders. Both chains offer a variety of meals, but how do they stack up in terms of calories? This comparison will shed light on which restaurant provides lighter meal options without sacrificing flavor. Let's dive into the numbers and see what each chain has to offer.

Applebee's vs Chili's: The Numbers

At a glance, Applebee's and Chili's present different calorie averages. Applebee's has a higher average than Chili's.

Metric	Applebee's	Chili's
Menu items analyzed	251	262
Average calories per item	404 kcal	340 kcal
Lightest real meal	4 oz Sirloin (140 kcal)	Grilled Chicken, Fajitas Mix & Match (140 kcal)
Highest-protein item	Salsa Verde Beef Nachos (70 g)	15 Original Crispers (152 g)
Best protein-per-calorie	Chicken Grillers (20/100cal)	Grilled Chicken, Fajitas Mix & Match (20/100cal)
Calorie range	5-1990 kcal	5-1850 kcal

Applebee's averages 404 calories per item across 251 menu items, while Chili's averages 340 calories across 262 items. This indicates that if you're looking for lighter meal options, Chili's may have the edge.

Average Calories by Category

Both restaurants feature a range of meal options.

Category	Avg cal, Applebee's	Avg cal, Chili's
Desserts	842 kcal	982 kcal
Burgers	1110 kcal	705 kcal
Entrees	836 kcal	940 kcal
Salads	698 kcal	562 kcal
Appetizers & Sides	490 kcal	647 kcal
Sandwiches	538 kcal	493 kcal
Fried Potatoes	420 kcal	290 kcal
Soup	261 kcal	329 kcal
Beverages	208 kcal	201 kcal
Toppings & Ingredients	176 kcal	176 kcal

Applebee's lightest real meal is the 4 oz Sirloin at 140 calories, while Chili's offers the Grilled Chicken, Fajitas Mix & Match, also at 140 calories. However, the highest protein option at Applebee's is the Salsa Verde Beef Nachos with 70g of protein, compared to Chili's Original Crispers at 152g.

Lightest Options at Applebee's

Lightest at Applebee's	Calories	Protein
Milk, Kids	110 kcal	8 g
Grilled Shrimp Skewer	110 kcal	8 g
4 oz Sirloin	140 kcal	23 g
Chocolate Milk, Kids	160 kcal	8 g
Swiss Cheese	160 kcal	11 g
Fried Shrimp	170 kcal	9 g

Lightest Options at Chili's

Lightest at Chili's	Calories	Protein
Grilled Chicken, Fajitas Mix & Match	140 kcal	28 g
2% Milk, Kids	180 kcal	12 g
Black Bean Patty	190 kcal	17 g
Turkey Patty	200 kcal	32 g
Terlingua Chili, Cup	210 kcal	14 g
Chicken Enchilada Soup, Cup	220 kcal	11 g

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The Verdict

In conclusion, Chili's stands out as the lighter option with an average of 340 calories per item compared to Applebee's 404. For those prioritizing protein, Applebee's Salsa Verde Beef Nachos offers significant protein content. Ultimately, the choice depends on whether you are looking for lighter meals or higher protein options.

Methodology

Both chains are compared using verified calorie and macro data from published menu information. Averages cover all analyzed items and are a rough guide, not a claim that one chain is universally healthier, since your order and toppings drive the real number. Applebee's averages 404 calories per item across 251 items; Chili's averages 340 across 262.