DENNY'S, chicken nuggets, star shaped, from kid's menu
Whole food · Restaurant Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
Denny's star-shaped chicken nuggets are a playful, kid-friendly staple from the restaurant's children's menu, offering a crispy, golden-brown exterior and a tender, processed chicken interior. Nutritionally, they are notably high in fat, with nearly 29 grams per 100g, while providing a moderate protein boost of about 16g. This makes them a calorie-dense, energy-rich option that prioritizes fun shapes and familiar flavors over lean nutrition.
💚 Why it's loved
People love these nuggets for their nostalgic, playful star shape and the reliable, comforting crunch of a classic fried chicken bite. They are a go-to for parents seeking a simple, kid-approved meal that guarantees a clean plate.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat content (28.57g per 100g) and potential for high sodium are primary concerns, making them a less ideal choice for those monitoring fat intake or with specific dietary restrictions. To counteract this, pair them with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad to add fiber and balance the meal, and practice portion control by sticking to a single serving.
Key benefits
- Provides a moderate protein source (16.27g per 100g) for growing children.
- The star shape makes mealtime more engaging and fun for picky eaters.
- Offers a quick, convenient, and familiar protein option in a restaurant setting.
- The crispy texture provides a satisfying crunch that appeals to many palates.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The star shape is not just for fun; it increases the surface area of the breading, which means a higher ratio of crispy coating to chicken in every bite.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 39.3 g |
| Energy | 377 kcal |
| Energy | 1575 kj |
| Protein | 16.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 28.6 g |
| Ash | 2.3 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 13.6 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.80 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 0.00 g |
| Fructose | 0.00 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 12.6 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 16.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 22.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 254 mg |
| Potassium, K | 244 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 644 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.73 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.06 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.21 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 17.3 ug |
| Thiamin | 0.14 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.19 mg |
| Niacin | 6.4 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.38 mg |
| Folate, total | 29.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.16 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 17.0 ug |
| Retinol | 17.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 58.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 15.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.9 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.06 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 8.3 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 2.5 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.02 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.03 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.05 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 36.6 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 12.6 ug |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 5.6 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.8 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.5 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 9.8 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.56 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.55 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 9.1 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 9.0 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.16 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 10.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 9.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 9.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 1.4 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 1.3 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.10 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.21 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.09 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.01 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.09 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.12 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.12 g |
| Cholesterol | 57.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Threonine | 0.58 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.68 g |
| Leucine | 1.3 g |
| Lysine | 2.0 g |
| Methionine | 0.44 g |
| Cystine | 0.21 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.64 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.51 g |
| Valine | 0.74 g |
| Arginine | 1.2 g |
| Histidine | 0.63 g |
| Alanine | 0.89 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.8 g |
| Glycine | 0.94 g |
| Proline | 1.0 g |
| Serine | 0.68 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.11 g |
FAQ
Are these nuggets made from whole chicken breast?
No, they are typically made from processed, ground chicken formed into shapes, which is common for most fast-food and restaurant nugget products.
How much protein is in a typical serving?
A standard 118g serving contains approximately 19.2g of protein, based on the provided nutritional data.
Are these suitable for a low-fat diet?
No, with nearly 29g of fat per 100g, they are high in fat and not recommended for low-fat dietary plans.