Chili's vs. Applebee's, by the numbers

Chili's publishes nutrition for 97 items and Applebee's for 152. The typical Chili's item is lighter (median 620 calories vs 660), Chili's has the single highest-protein item, and Chili's has the most protein-dense order. Below: the numbers side by side, then the lightest pick in each category both chains sell, all from the chains' own nutrition guides.
Menus:
Chili's menuLow-calorie Chili'sApplebee's menuLow-calorie Applebee's
Items with published nutrition
Chili's: 97
Applebee's: 152
Median calories per item
Chili's: 620
Applebee's: 660
Real meals under 500 calories (15 g+ protein)
Chili's: 12
Applebee's: 8
Lightest real meal (15 g+ protein)
Chili's: Classic Sirloin (6 oz) (250 calories, 34 g protein)
Applebee's: Kids Chicken Taco (210 calories, 19 g protein)
Most protein
Chili's: House BBQ Ribs (Full Rack) (2160 calories, 136 g protein)
Applebee's: Quesadilla Chicken Salad (1960 calories, 122 g protein)
Most protein per 100 calories
Chili's: Surf & Turf Sirloin (10 oz) (14.7 g)
Applebee's: Classic Bone-In Wings (no flavor or dipping sauce) (13.7 g)
Keto meals (under 10 g net carbs, 15 g+ protein)
Chili's: 7
Applebee's: 1
Median sodium per item
Chili's: 1580 mg
Applebee's: 1250 mg

Lightest burger

Chili's ›
Kids Cheeseburger Bites
per kids meal · 25g protein · 36g carbs · 23g fat
450 kcal
Applebee's ›
Kids Cheeseburger
per serving · 25g protein · 39g carbs · 35g fat
570 kcal

Lightest chicken sandwich

Chili's ›
Buffalo Big Crispy Chicken Sandwich
per sandwich · 43g protein · 62g carbs · 33g fat
710 kcal
Applebee's ›
Crispy Chicken Tender Salad (with Grilled Chicken)
per salad · 60g protein · 37g carbs · 29g fat
640 kcal

Lightest fries

Chili's ›
Homestyle Fries
per side · 6g protein · 60g carbs · 17g fat
420 kcal
Applebee's ›
Classic Fries (Side)
per side · 6g protein · 53g carbs · 18g fat
400 kcal

Lightest salad

Chili's ›
Santa Fe Chicken Salad with Grilled Chicken
per salad · 35g protein · 24g carbs · 35g fat
540 kcal
Applebee's ›
Caesar Salad (Side)
per side · 5g protein · 13g carbs · 17g fat
220 kcal

Lightest bowl

Chili's ›
Bowl of Loaded Street Corn
per side · 6g protein · 24g carbs · 26g fat
350 kcal
Applebee's ›
Tex-Mex Shrimp Bowl
per entrée · 29g protein · 91g carbs · 27g fat
710 kcal

Lightest pizza

Chili's ›
Kids Cheese Pizza
per kids meal · 17g protein · 34g carbs · 33g fat
500 kcal
Applebee's ›
Kids Cheesy Pizza
per serving · 25g protein · 85g carbs · 27g fat
670 kcal

Lightest sub or sandwich

Chili's ›
Buffalo Big Crispy Chicken Sandwich
per sandwich · 43g protein · 62g carbs · 33g fat
710 kcal
Applebee's ›
Bacon Ranch Chicken Sandwich (with Grilled Chicken) (includes menu sides)
per entrée · 63g protein · 93g carbs · 64g fat
1190 kcal

Lightest dessert

Chili's ›
Classic Cheesecake
per dessert · 11g protein · 71g carbs · 60g fat
870 kcal
Applebee's ›
Kids Sundae - Strawberry
per sundae · 3g protein · 35g carbs · 11g fat
260 kcal

Questions people ask

Which is healthier, Chili's or Applebee's?

By the numbers, Chili's has the lighter typical item and Chili's the better protein per calorie, so it wins both. Real meals under 500 calories (150+ calories, 15 g+ protein): 12 at Chili's and 8 at Applebee's.

Which has more protein, Chili's or Applebee's?

Chili's: House BBQ Ribs (Full Rack) has 136 g. For protein without the calories, Chili's Surf & Turf Sirloin (10 oz) leads at 14.7 g per 100 calories.

Which is better for keto, Chili's or Applebee's?

Chili's has more meals under 10 g net carbs with 15 g of protein (7 vs 1). Each chain's keto page lists them.

Where do these numbers come from?

Chili's and Applebee's own published nutrition guides, reviewed before import. Portions differ between chains, so compare calories and protein, not just item names.

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