KFC’s Original Recipe Chicken Tenders (5 pc): Price, Calories and Nutrition (2026)
KFC’s Original Recipe Chicken Tenders are the boneless answer to the brand’s famous fried chicken: strips of whole chicken breast, hand-breaded in the 11 herbs and spices, fried to the same craggy crunch as the bucket. The 5-piece is the standard order, and it is a serious amount of food at 850 calories before you add a single dip. Here is the 2026 price, the calorie count, and the full nutrition breakdown.
Last updated: August 21, 2026
Table of contents
- What are Original Recipe Tenders
- Chicken Tenders nutrition facts
- Dipping sauces
- Allergens
- Tenders vs Popcorn Nuggets
- Frequently asked questions
What are Original Recipe Tenders
Strips of whole chicken breast, hand-breaded in the 11 herbs and spices and fried like the bone-in chicken. The 5-piece is the standard order and eats like a full meal, not a snack.
Chicken Tenders nutrition facts
Full nutrition breakdown for 5 tenders, based on KFC’s official US nutrition data.
| Nutrient | Amount per 5 pc tenders |
|---|---|
| Calories | 850 |
| Total fat | 55g |
| Total carbohydrates | 42g |
| Protein | 46g |
| Sodium | 2340mg |
At 46 grams of protein this is one of the highest-protein items on the menu, which is the good news. The bad news is everything around it: 55 grams of fat and 2340 mg of sodium, both driven by the fried breading. This is a meal for someone who is genuinely hungry, not a light bite.
Dipping sauces
KFC’s dipping sauces run from about 40 calories (hot sauce) to around 130 calories (ranch, honey mustard). Two packets of ranch add 260 calories to the 850, pushing the order past 1100. If calories matter, hot sauce or no sauce is the play. If flavor matters, budget for it.
Allergens
The tenders contain wheat/gluten, egg, soy, and MSG. The wheat is in the breading, the egg in the batter wash, and soy in the seasoning. MSG is listed in the ingredients, so check the current allergen guide at your restaurant if that affects you.
Tenders vs Popcorn Nuggets
The 5-piece tenders have 850 calories and 46 grams of protein; the 8-piece Popcorn Nuggets have 280 calories and 19 grams of protein. Tenders are the meal, nuggets are the snack. Per piece, tenders are also the better protein value. Pick tenders when you are hungry, nuggets when you want something on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How much are 5 Chicken Tenders in 2026?
They start from $9.99 in most US markets, with prices varying by location.
How many calories are in 5 Chicken Tenders?
850 calories, before dipping sauces.
Are the tenders made with the 11 herbs and spices?
Yes. They are hand-breaded in the same Original Recipe seasoning as the bone-in chicken.
How many calories do the dipping sauces add?
From about 40 calories for hot sauce to around 130 calories for ranch or honey mustard per packet.
Which has more protein, tenders or nuggets?
The 5-piece tenders, with 46 grams of protein versus 19 grams in the 8-piece Popcorn Nuggets.
Do the tenders contain allergens?
Yes: wheat/gluten, egg, soy, and MSG.
ManuBite Team. We track fast food prices and nutrition across the USA so you always know what your meal really costs, in dollars and in calories.
Want more KFC menu favourites? Check our Popcorn Nuggets guide, our Famous Bowl guide and our Classic Chicken Sandwich guide for prices, calories and nutrition facts.
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