Potato, french fries, with chili, fast food / restaurant
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Crispy, golden potato fries smothered in a warm, spiced chili sauce, creating a satisfying contrast of textures and a bold, savory flavor profile. This fast-food staple packs a surprising 5.2g of protein and 3.6g of fiber per 100g, thanks to the chili's beans and meat, making it more substantial than plain fries. It's a comfort food that delivers a quick energy boost with 30.79g of carbohydrates, though its fat content of 10.78g per 100g reflects the deep-frying process.
Calorie split: 9% protein · 51% carbs · 40% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love chili cheese fries for their indulgent, comforting combination of salty, crispy fries and rich, savory chili, often topped with melted cheese. This dish is a cultural icon in American diners and fast-food chains, representing a satisfying, shareable meal that hits multiple flavor notes at once.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sodium and fat content can be problematic for those monitoring blood pressure or heart health, and the combination of refined carbs and fat may cause blood-sugar spikes. To counteract this, pair it with a side of leafy greens or a protein-rich salad, practice portion control by sharing a serving, or opt for baked fries and a low-sodium chili recipe at home.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates
- Contains dietary fiber from the chili and potato
- Offers a modest protein boost from the chili's meat or beans
- Delivers essential minerals like potassium from the potato
- Serves as a convenient, high-calorie meal option
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The concept of topping fries with chili likely originated in the 1960s at a California drive-in, where it was marketed as a hearty, all-in-one meal for truck drivers and late-night diners.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 51.5 g |
| Energy | 241 kcal |
| Protein | 5.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 10.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 30.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 3.6 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.69 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 19.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.2 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 31.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 116 mg |
| Potassium, K | 473 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 261 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.90 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.13 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 2.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 5.2 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.14 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.05 mg |
| Niacin | 2.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.30 mg |
| Folate, total | 38.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 38.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 38.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 34.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.17 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 4.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 38.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 4.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 6.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 708 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 24.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 8.9 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.0 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.68 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.4 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.6 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 3.3 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.31 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 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 | 6.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Snacks, potato chips, made from dried potatoes, reduced fat — USDA does not publish this profile for Potato.
| Tryptophan | 0.04 g |
| Threonine | 0.24 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.25 g |
| Leucine | 0.37 g |
| Lysine | 0.35 g |
| Methionine | 0.07 g |
| Cystine | 0.07 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.26 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.22 g |
| Valine | 0.33 g |
| Arginine | 0.27 g |
| Histidine | 0.13 g |
| Alanine | 0.20 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.1 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.94 g |
| Glycine | 0.19 g |
| Proline | 0.20 g |
| Serine | 0.23 g |
FAQ
Are chili fries a good source of protein?
Yes, they provide about 5.2g of protein per 100g, mainly from the chili's meat or beans, making them a better protein source than plain fries.
How can I reduce the fat content in chili fries?
You can bake the fries instead of frying them, use lean ground turkey in the chili, and limit added cheese or sour cream toppings.
Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?
It can be if you use a vegetarian chili with beans and vegetables, but many fast-food versions contain meat, so check the ingredients.
What's the best way to enjoy chili fries without overeating?
Share a portion with a friend, pair it with a side salad or steamed vegetables, and drink water to fill up and control portions.
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 2.41 kcal/g · 9% calories from protein · 3.6 g fiber · 0.7 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: 0.55 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.