Calories in a Popeyes Chicken Sandwich: Full Nutrition Breakdown

The Popeyes Classic Chicken Sandwich features a buttermilk-battered and hand-breaded chicken breast fillet served on a toasted brioche bun with barrel-cured pickles and mayo. At approximately 700 calories, it is one of the higher-calorie chicken sandwiches in the fast food landscape, largely due to its thick breading and generous mayo. Despite the calorie count, it delivers 28 grams of protein from the sizable chicken fillet.

Calories by serving size:

The Popeyes Chicken Sandwich gets a significant portion of its calories from the deep-fried breading and the mayo spread, which together contribute over 200 calories of fat. The Blackened Chicken Sandwich is a notably lighter alternative at just 350 calories, using a grilled seasoned fillet instead of a fried one while still delivering nearly the same amount of protein.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the calorie difference between the Classic and Spicy Popeyes sandwich?

The Classic and Spicy Chicken Sandwiches both contain approximately 700 calories, the same amount of fat, and the same protein content. The main difference is that the Spicy version has about 200 mg more sodium at 1640 mg due to the spicy pepper blend on the breading. Nutritionally they are nearly identical, so the choice comes down to flavor preference rather than calorie savings.

How does the Popeyes sandwich compare to a Chick-fil-A sandwich?

The Popeyes Classic Chicken Sandwich has about 700 calories with 42 grams of fat, while the Chick-fil-A Original Chicken Sandwich comes in at roughly 440 calories with 19 grams of fat. The Popeyes sandwich is significantly larger with a thicker fillet and more mayo, accounting for the roughly 260-calorie difference. If you are looking for a lighter option, the Chick-fil-A sandwich is the clear winner on calories.

Why is the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich so high in calories?

The high calorie count is driven by three main factors: the thick buttermilk breading that absorbs oil during frying, the generous portion of mayo, and the buttery brioche bun. The breading and deep-frying process alone adds a substantial amount of fat, and the mayo contributes roughly 220 additional calories. Ordering without mayo brings the sandwich down to about 480 calories, which is a significant reduction.

Is the Blackened Chicken Sandwich a healthier choice?

The Blackened Chicken Sandwich is significantly lighter at 350 calories and 14 grams of fat compared to 700 calories and 42 grams of fat in the Classic version. It uses a grilled, seasoned chicken breast instead of a fried one and comes without mayo, which eliminates the two biggest calorie contributors. It still provides 27 grams of protein, making it one of the best high-protein, lower-calorie options at Popeyes.

How much sodium is in a Popeyes Chicken Sandwich?

The Classic Chicken Sandwich contains approximately 1440 mg of sodium, which is about 63% of the daily recommended limit of 2300 mg. The Spicy version is even higher at 1640 mg of sodium due to the additional seasoning. This is notably high even by fast food standards, so those watching sodium intake should consider the Blackened Chicken Sandwich at 1100 mg or skipping the pickles for a modest sodium reduction.