How Many Carbs are in Culver’s Chicken Tenders?

Culver’s is a popular fast casual restaurant chain known for their delicious butterburgers, custard, cheese curds, and of course – chicken tenders Their crispy, juicy chicken tenders are a customer favorite. But if you’re watching your carb intake, you may be wondering exactly how many carbs are in Culver’s chicken tenders. In this article, we’ll break down the nutrition facts and carb count so you can still enjoy this tasty menu item guilt-free

Nutrition Facts for Culver’s Chicken Tenders

For starters let’s look at the complete nutrition facts for Culver’s chicken tenders

• Serving Size: 3 tenders (244g)
• Calories: 540
• Fat: 24g
• Carbs: 42g
• Protein: 40g

So in a standard 3 tender serving, there are 42 grams of carbohydrates. The majority of the calories come from fat (40%) followed by carbs (31%) and protein (30%).

To put this carb count in perspective, the daily recommended intake of carbs is around 225-325 grams. So a serving of Culver’s chicken tenders contains roughly 13-19% of your total daily carb allotment.

Counting Carbs in Different Portion Sizes

The carb count will change based on how many chicken tenders you order. Here’s a breakdown:

• 1 tender (81g): 14g carbs
• 2 tenders (162g): 28g carbs
• 3 tenders (244g): 42g carbs
• 4 tenders (325g): 56g carbs
• 6 tenders (488g): 84g carbs

See? The more tenders you eat, the more carbs you’ll take in. Keep portion sizes in mind if you’re limiting carbs.

Tips for Reducing Carbs in Your Order

Here are some tips that will help you enjoy Culver’s chicken tenders while cutting back on carbs:

• Request grilled chicken tenders instead of breaded – this eliminates the carb-heavy breading
• Order a smaller size like 1-2 tenders instead of 3-4
• Skip the Texas toast and opt for a side salad instead
• Choose ranch, mayo, or mustard instead of sugary barbecue sauce for dipping
• Avoid adding cheese curds, fries, or other high-carb sides to your meal

By making changes like these, you can greatly lower the amount of carbs in your chicken tender meal.

How Do Culver’s Tenders Compare to Other Menu Items?

Culver’s chicken tenders have fewer carbs compared to some of their other popular menu choices:

• Cheese curds: 51g carbs
• Cheeseburger on bun: 49g carbs
• Regular fries: 64g carbs

That being said, chicken tenders are one of the better carb-heavy sides at Culver’s. The tenders will have more carbs than their salads or grilled chicken sandwiches without a bun, though.

Are Culver’s Chicken Tenders Healthy?

When compared to fried chicken tenders from other fast food chains, Culver’s breaded tenders are considered a relatively healthier choice. They’re lower in calories than many competitors and not overly breaded or processed. The white meat chicken provides lean protein as well.

However, the carbs do add up quickly, especially when pairing tenders with other high-carb menu items. Sticking to a reasonable portion and balancing with veggies and protein is key. The grilled chicken tender option eliminates the bready coating too for an even cleaner nutrition profile.

The Bottom Line

If you’re limiting carbs, Culver’s crispy chicken tenders can absolutely still fit into your diet in moderation. Opt for grilled over breaded, watch your portions, and pair with low-carb sides to keep your meal balanced. A 1-2 tender serving along with a side salad is a satisfying way to scratch that chicken tender craving without going overboard on carbs.