Eight Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets have 130 calories and 25 g protein. Three Popeyes blackened tenders have 170 calories and 28 g protein. That is a 40-calorie and 3 g protein difference between the named portions—not between equal weights of chicken.
Keep the item count visible
| Order and portion | Calories | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Sodium (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chick-fil-A · Grilled Nuggets, 8 count 8 grilled nuggets, without dipping sauce | 130 | 25 | 3 | 440 |
| Popeyes · 3 Blackened Tenders 3 tenders, biscuit, sauce and drink excluded | 170 | 28 | 6 | 860 |
| Popeyes · 5 Blackened Tenders 5 tenders, biscuit, sauce and drink excluded | 280 | 47 | 9 | 1,430 |
Sodium changes more than protein in the smaller portions
The eight nuggets have 440 mg sodium; the three tenders have 860 mg. The tenders provide 3 g more protein alongside 420 mg more sodium. Five tenders increase protein to 47 g and sodium to 1,430 mg. A protein-only ranking would leave out a meaningful part of that choice.
Neither the eight-count nuggets nor the tender portions include a side, drink, biscuit or dipping sauce in these figures. The restaurants use different item shapes and preparations, so we have not invented an equal-weight serving.
One supported way to build out the order
Popeyes’ regular Red Beans & Rice adds 260 calories, 7 g protein, 6 g fiber and 580 mg sodium. With three tenders, the calculated order is 430 calories, 35 g protein, 7 g fiber and 1,440 mg sodium. It is an explicit two-item sum, not a claim about every combo sold at the counter.
To compare a different finished order, include its exact side and sauce amounts. Review the Chick-fil-A records or review the Popeyes records, then compare the named items in the finder.
Sources and date boundaries
These are selected U.S. portions, not a complete menu survey. Extra drinks, sides and sauce packets are excluded unless named. Published portions can differ from the food actually served. The inspected Popeyes PDF is labeled September 2026.