Chicken fillet sandwich, NFS
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A chicken fillet sandwich is a classic handheld meal featuring a tender, seasoned chicken breast fillet—often grilled or crispy-fried—nestled in a soft bun. The texture is a satisfying contrast between the juicy, lean protein and the pillowy bread. Nutritionally, it's a solid protein source, but the carb and fat content can vary significantly based on the cooking method and bun choice.
Calorie split: 17% protein · 39% carbs · 43% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its universally appealing, savory flavor profile and the comforting, familiar combination of tender chicken and soft bread. Its true appeal lies in its versatility—it can be dressed up with gourmet sauces or kept simple, fitting seamlessly into fast food, diner culture, or home cooking.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Fried versions can be high in saturated fat and calories, while the white bun offers refined carbs that may lead to blood-sugar spikes. To counteract this, opt for grilled chicken, choose a whole-grain or lettuce wrap, and load up on fiber-rich veggies like lettuce, tomato, and onion to slow digestion and add nutrients.
Key benefits
- Good source of lean protein for muscle maintenance
- Provides a balanced mix of macronutrients for energy
- Highly customizable to fit different dietary preferences
- A convenient and portable meal option
- Can be a part of a balanced diet when prepared thoughtfully
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The modern chicken sandwich is often credited to a 1964 incident at a Georgia restaurant where a customer's refusal of a hamburger led the owner to fry a piece of chicken and serve it on a bun.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 44.8 g |
| Energy | 281 kcal |
| Protein | 12.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 13.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 27.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.7 g |
| Total Sugars | 3.1 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 77.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.8 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 25.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 154 mg |
| Potassium, K | 209 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 571 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.63 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.09 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 21.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.80 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.28 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.15 mg |
| Niacin | 5.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.22 mg |
| Folate, total | 52.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 24.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 27.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 68.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 32.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.18 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 4.0 ug |
| Retinol | 3.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 5.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 4.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 28.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.8 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 18.5 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.1 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.6 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.3 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.9 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.11 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.7 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 5.6 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 5.2 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.34 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 21.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from WENDY'S, Homestyle Chicken Fillet Sandwich — USDA does not publish this profile for Chicken fillet sandwich.
| Tryptophan | 0.15 g |
| Threonine | 0.50 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.54 g |
| Leucine | 0.93 g |
| Lysine | 0.83 g |
| Methionine | 0.29 g |
| Cystine | 0.18 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.51 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.27 g |
| Valine | 0.59 g |
| Arginine | 0.65 g |
| Histidine | 0.38 g |
| Alanine | 0.65 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.1 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.4 g |
| Glycine | 0.52 g |
| Proline | 0.68 g |
| Serine | 0.53 g |
FAQ
Is a chicken fillet sandwich healthy?
It can be. Grilled chicken on a whole-grain bun with plenty of vegetables is a nutritious, protein-rich meal. The healthiness depends heavily on the cooking method (grilled vs. fried) and the choice of bun and condiments.
How much protein is in a typical chicken fillet sandwich?
A standard sandwich with a 118g chicken fillet provides roughly 20-25 grams of protein, depending on the exact cut and preparation. This makes it a good option for meeting daily protein needs.
Can I make a chicken fillet sandwich healthier at home?
Absolutely. Use boneless, skinless chicken breast, season it well, and grill or air-fry it instead of deep-frying. Serve it on a whole-wheat bun or lettuce wrap, and add plenty of fresh vegetables like spinach, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.81 kcal/g · 17% calories from protein · 1.7 g fiber · 3.1 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.73 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.