Quick Answer
The Fiesta Lime Chicken meal at Applebee’s contains around 1,270 calories. This is based on the nutritional information provided by Applebee’s for their Fiesta Lime Chicken main dish, served with rice pilaf and broccoli. The exact calorie count may vary slightly depending on portion size and any substitutions or additions made to the meal.
Calculating the Calories in Fiesta Lime Chicken
To determine the calorie count of the Fiesta Lime Chicken meal, we’ll look at the nutrition facts for each component of the meal individually:
Fiesta Lime Chicken
According to Applebee’s nutrition information, one serving of Fiesta Lime Chicken contains:
| Calories | 930 |
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 165mg |
| Sodium | 1920mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 56g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 12g |
| Protein | 82g |
So the Fiesta Lime Chicken main dish itself contains 930 calories.
Rice Pilaf
The rice pilaf side dish contains:
| Calories | 180 |
| Total Fat | 1.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 460mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 35g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Sugars | 2g |
| Protein | 3g |
So the rice pilaf side contributes 180 calories to the total.
Broccoli
And finally, the steamed broccoli side provides:
| Calories | 30 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 40mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 6g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3g |
| Sugars | 1g |
| Protein | 2g |
The broccoli adds 30 calories.
Total Calories
Adding up the calories from each component gives us:
| Fiesta Lime Chicken | 930 calories |
| Rice Pilaf | 180 calories |
| Broccoli | 30 calories |
| Total Calories | 1,140 calories |
So the total calories in a Fiesta Lime Chicken meal at Applebee’s is approximately 1,140 calories based on the standard menu items and portion sizes.
This number may vary slightly depending on:
– Exact portion size served
– Any substitutions, additions, or modifications to the meal
– Variations in preparation method and ingredients
But in most cases, the Fiesta Lime Chicken meal should contain around 1,140-1,270 calories.
Nutrition Summary
To summarize the full nutrition facts of the Fiesta Lime Chicken meal:
| Calories | 1,140 |
| Total Fat | 19.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 165mg |
| Sodium | 2,420mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 97g |
| Dietary Fiber | 6g |
| Sugars | 15g |
| Protein | 87g |
The meal is high in protein from the chicken, but also fairly high in sodium, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. The saturated fat and fiber are moderate.
When dining at Applebee’s, this meal would make a good high protein option, but those limiting sodium, cholesterol, or carbs may want to make some modifications or substitutions. Requesting lower sodium cooking methods and minimizing any extra sauces or dressings can help reduce the salt content.
Daily Nutrition Needs
To put the 1,140 calories and nutrient makeup of the Fiesta Lime Chicken into context, let’s compare it to typical daily nutrition needs:
Calories
The recommended daily calorie intake for adults is:
– Women: 1,600-2,400 calories
– Men: 2,000-3,000 calories
So the Fiesta Lime Chicken meal provides about half the daily calories needed for many adults. For women trying to stay around 1,600-1,800 calories per day or men at 2,000-2,200 calories, this one meal would use up over half their calorie budget.
Carbohydrates
The Dietary Guidelines recommend that adults get 45-65% of their calories from carbs. On a 2,000 calorie diet, this equates to about 225-325g of carbs.
With 97g of carbs, this meal has over a third the daily carb target for a 2,000 calorie diet.
Fiber
The recommendation for dietary fiber is 25-30g per day. This meal provides 6g, so it is a good source of fiber, but you would need additional high fiber foods to meet the daily target.
Fat
The guidelines recommend 20-35% of calories from fat, or about 44-78g on a 2,000 calorie diet. This meal is within the range at 19.5g of fat.
However, saturated fat should be limited to under 10% of calories or 22g. So the 3.5g in this meal is reasonable.
Sodium
The recommended limit for sodium is 2,300mg per day. The Fiesta Lime Chicken provides over 100% of the daily value. So this meal is very high in sodium, and you would need to really minimize salt intake for the rest of the day.
Protein
Adults need a minimum of 0.8g of protein per kg of bodyweight, or about 54-63g for men and 44-56g for women each day. With 87g of protein, this meal well exceeds those needs.
Comparing Fiesta Lime Chicken to Other Applebee’s Meals
How does this Fiesta Lime Chicken meal compare to other options at Applebee’s in terms of calories, carbs, fat, and sodium?
Here’s a comparison to a few other popular entrees:
| Meal | Calories | Total Carbs | Total Fat | Sodium |
| Fiesta Lime Chicken | 1,140 | 97g | 19.5g | 2,420mg |
| Shrimp Broccoli Alfredo | 1,070 | 81g | 53g | 1,520mg |
| Grilled Salmon | 590 | 37g | 32g | 760mg |
| 6 oz Sirloin Steak | 330 | 0g | 18g | 460mg |
| Classic Bacon Cheeseburger | 1,020 | 56g | 51g | 1,610mg |
Compared to these other options:
– The Fiesta Lime Chicken is moderate in calories, carbs, and fat. It’s lower than higher calorie pasta and burger options.
– It’s very high in sodium compared to all the other meals. Only the bacon cheeseburger is also excessively high in sodium.
– The salmon, steak, and burger provide more protein. But the chicken still has a relatively high protein amount.
So in summary, the Fiesta Lime Chicken provides a lot of protein without too many calories or fat, but it is extremely high in sodium. Sodium-conscious diners may want to opt for lower salt dishes like the grilled salmon.
Tips for Dining Out and Making Healthier Choices
When dining at Applebee’s, here are some tips to enjoy your meal while still being mindful of nutrition:
– Ask for any sauces, dressings, or condiments on the side and use sparingly
– Substitute steamed veggies instead of fries
– Split meals or take half home for leftovers
– Choose grilled, roasted, or broiled proteins instead of fried
– Get sauces and dressings on the side
– Opt for side salads instead of starchy sides
– Drink water or unsweetened iced tea instead of high-calorie beverages
– Share an appetizer or dessert instead of getting individual portions
Making customizations like these at any restaurant can allow you to better control calories, carbs, fat, and sodium while still enjoying dining out.
Should You Have the Fiesta Lime Chicken at Applebee’s?
The Fiesta Lime Chicken meal at Applebee’s packs a lot of protein at 1,140 calories. But it is extremely high in sodium, providing over 100% of the recommended daily value in just one meal.
If you are monitoring your salt intake, this entree would not be the best choice. You’d be better off choosing lower sodium options like grilled salmon or steak.
However, if you are focused on getting high protein and keeping calories moderate, the Fiesta Lime Chicken would be a filling option. Just be mindful that you’d need to really minimize sodium intake for the rest of the day. Adding customizations like getting the sauce on the side could help reduce some excess salt as well.
In the end, it comes down to your own personal nutrition goals and dietary needs. The Fiesta Lime Chicken can fit into some healthy eating plans in moderation, while sodium-conscious diners may want to steer towards lower salt choices on the Applebee’s menu. Carefully reviewing the nutrition information and making smart substitutions can help you enjoy Applebee’s meals while still meeting your daily nutrition targets.