Spicy chicken sandwiches are a fast food favorite. The spicy chicken sandwich consists of a bun; breaded and deep-fried spicy chicken breast filet; and toppings like mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato. The spice and heat in a spicy chicken sandwich comes from the breading, so grilled chicken is a milder option.
Calories
The basic spicy chicken sandwich contains 440 to 480 calories, depending upon whether or not you include mayonnaise. This calorie count includes the bun and breaded chicken filet but does not include cheese or bacon. Your sandwich may be served plain or with mayonnaise. If you opt to add cheese and bacon for a deluxe sandwich, it will cost you 610 calories. Add tomatoes, lettuce and onion for extra flavor without additional calories. Your spicy chicken sandwich can add up to almost a third of your daily calorie intake.
Fat and Cholesterol
Without the mayo, your spicy chicken sandwich has 13 to 20 grams of total fat and 45 to 55 milligrams of cholesterol. If you upgrade to a deluxe sandwich with bacon and cheese, expect to consume 27 to 28 grams of fat. A basic spicy chicken sandwich has 3.5 to 4.5 grams of saturated fat. The Cleveland Clinic recommends you limit saturated fat to 7 percent of your daily calories, or around 15 grams per day. If you choose a deluxe spicy chicken sandwich, you'll consume 8 grams of saturated fat, or more than half of your daily allowance, and 80 milligrams cholesterol -- nearly half of the recommended 200 milligram daily total.
Protein, Vitamins and Minerals
A spicy chicken sandwich provides between 28 and 36 grams protein, depending upon the restaurant and the toppings you select. The chicken and enriched bun on the sandwich will fulfill 20 percent of your daily iron intake. If you add lettuce and tomato, a spicy chicken sandwich also provides small amounts of vitamin A and vitamin C. A slice of cheese adds 10 percent of the calcium you need each day.
Sodium
Like most fast food meals, a spicy chicken sandwich is high in sodium. Depending on the restaurant, your sandwich may contain between 1,350 and 1,800 milligrams sodium. The 2010 guidelines from the United States Department of Agriculture recommend no more than 1,500 to 2,300 milligrams sodium daily, depending upon your age and health. A fast food spicy chicken sandwich can easily represent your entire sodium allowance or even exceed it.
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