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Chick-fil-A vs Popeyes: Macros Compared (2026)

Updated 2026-05-15
Head-to-head
Quick Answer: Chicken specialist showdown. For cutting: Chick-fil-A (12 Piece Grilled Chicken Nuggets (Cutting) — 200 cal / 38g protein). For bulking: Popeyes (6 pc Signature Chicken (3 Breasts + 3 Wings) — 1770 cal / 144g protein). For keto: Chick-fil-A (12 Piece Grilled Chicken Nuggets (Keto) — 200 cal / 38g protein). All macros verified against MacroMate's database — no fabricated numbers.
Real data, not estimates. Every macro below is from MacroMate's verified Firestore-backed nutrition database. Both chains' picks come from their own goal-tagged build lists; no modifications or approximations.

Side-by-Side Comparison

GoalChick-fil-APopeyes
Cutting12 Piece Grilled Chicken Nuggets (Cutting)
200 cal / 38g protein		Tenders - Blackened (5 pc)
280 cal / 43g protein
Bulking30 Piece Chicken Nuggets
970 cal / 103g protein		6 pc Signature Chicken (3 Breasts + 3 Wings)
1770 cal / 144g protein
MaintenanceGrilled Chicken Cool Wrap
350 cal / 42g protein		Tenders - Classic or Spicy (3 pc)
450 cal / 38g protein
Keto12 Piece Grilled Chicken Nuggets (Keto)
200 cal / 38g protein		Tenders - Blackened (5 pc) (Keto)
280 cal / 43g protein

Best for Cutting

Chick-fil-A wins for cutting. Chick-fil-A 12 Piece Grilled Chicken Nuggets (Cutting): 200 cal / 38g protein (0.190 P:C). Popeyes Tenders - Blackened (5 pc): 280 cal / 43g protein (0.154 P:C).

Best for Bulking

Popeyes wins for bulking. Popeyes 6 pc Signature Chicken (3 Breasts + 3 Wings): 1770 cal / 144g protein (0.081 P:C). Chick-fil-A 30 Piece Chicken Nuggets: 970 cal / 103g protein (0.106 P:C).

Best for Maintenance

Chick-fil-A wins for maintenance. Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap: 350 cal / 42g protein (0.120 P:C). Popeyes Tenders - Classic or Spicy (3 pc): 450 cal / 38g protein (0.084 P:C).

Best for Keto

Chick-fil-A wins for keto. Chick-fil-A 12 Piece Grilled Chicken Nuggets (Keto): 200 cal / 38g protein (0.190 P:C). Popeyes Tenders - Blackened (5 pc) (Keto): 280 cal / 43g protein (0.154 P:C).

Bottom Line

Both Chick-fil-A and Popeyes have macro-friendly orders that fit most goals — the right pick depends on what you're optimizing for on a given meal. Use the table above to decide based on the goal you're hitting; pull the full goal-tagged build list at each chain's MacroMate page below.

MacroMate has 8+ verified macro-friendly builds across Chick-fil-A and Popeyes alone — plus 1,500+ across 110+ other chains. Free on iOS and Android.

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