Dave's Hot Chicken Nutrition & Calorie Calculator

It depends on what you order. A single tender is 490 calories at no spice. A single slider is 620 calories. Regular fries add 440 calories. Dave's #1 — 2 tenders with fries — is 1,230 calories. The 10pc Bites without fries are 650 calories and 41g of protein, making them the best protein-to-calorie option on the menu.

Yes. Each spice level uses a chili oil blend that adds extra fat and calories. No Spice is the lowest calorie option. The difference between No Spice and Reaper on a single tender is roughly 60 calories.

A single tender has 25 grams of protein at 490 calories. A single slider has 31 grams. The 10pc Bites deliver 41 grams of protein at 650 calories without fries — the strongest protein-to-calorie ratio on the menu. Tenders and bites are the better protein choices over sliders since sliders add bun carbs without improving the protein numbers.

The 10pc Bites without fries at 650 calories and 41g of protein is the most efficient order on the menu. Dave's #5 — 1 tender with fries — is 930 calories and is the lightest combo. Swapping fries for kale slaw saves 170 calories (fries are 440 cal, kale slaw is 270 cal). Skipping Dave's Sauce saves another 180 calories per cup.

The chicken at Dave's Hot Chicken is halal-certified through Halal Transactions of Omaha, and the founders built the brand with halal certification as a priority. However, there are nuances worth knowing: the chicken is pre-stunned before hand-slaughter, which some stricter interpretations of halal do not accept. The supply chain and kitchen do not operate under full halal procedures, and sauces, sides, and shared fryers are not halal-certified. For most Muslim customers the chicken itself is considered halal, but if you follow stricter standards, confirm directly with your location and ask about their current supplier and preparation practices.

The cauliflower items are plant-based but fried in the same oil as the chicken. A single cauli tender or slider is 490 calories at no spice — the same as a chicken tender. The real difference is protein: cauli options deliver around 8 grams versus 25 grams for a chicken tender. If protein is the goal, chicken is the better pick every time.

Regular fries are 440 calories. Cheese fries are 450 calories. Top Loaded Fries are 980 calories at no spice. Kale slaw is 270 calories if you want a lighter side, though it's not as low-calorie as most people assume.

A small shake is 590–610 calories depending on flavor. A regular is 740–760 calories. A large is 1,110–1,140 calories. Adding Oreo or M&M toppings to a large shake adds another 480–490 calories on top. Cinnamon Toast Crunch is lighter at 180 calories for a large.

Dave's Hot Chicken uses fresh never-frozen chicken and hand-breads each piece to order. The chain also operates in high-cost urban markets and has grown rapidly with celebrity backing, which factors into pricing. A single tender combo typically runs $12–16 depending on location.