Dave's Hot Chicken is a fried-chicken indulgence: everything is hand-breaded and fried, so calories, fat and sodium run high across the whole menu. There is no genuinely lean order here. If you are going, the way to keep it GLP-1-friendlier is to order the chicken on its own, skip the combo's fries, and choose the highest-protein pieces.
Written for anyone eating on a GLP-1 like Ozempic, Mounjaro, or Wegovy. Every Dave's Hot Chicken order below is scored the same published way, from the restaurant's own published nutrition.
The move
Order Dave's Bites (10 pc) on their own, 650 calories for 41 g of protein and no bun or fries, the highest-protein and most protein-dense single order; a Single Tender (490) or Slider (620) is next. Skip the combo's fries, keep the spice at No Spice or Lite Mild, and expect high sodium either way.
Not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Dave's Hot Chicken. "Dave's Hot Chicken" is a trademark of its owner, used here only to refer to the restaurant. Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy are trademarks of their respective owners, named only to describe the medicines many readers take. Nishi is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any of them. Values as published by Dave's Hot Chicken on its official nutrition chart (store.daveshotchicken.com, the FOODS nutrition chart, Revised 3/16/26, nutrition by Registered Dietitians at NewWellness, Inc.). Items that come in two spice bands (Not Hot & Lite Mild, and Mild-Reaper) are listed here at the milder Not Hot & Lite Mild band; the hotter band adds roughly 10 to 30 percent more fat and sodium on the chicken items, and far more sodium on the plant-based Not Chicken singles (up to about two and a half times). A combo is the slider or tenders plus fries (the Dave's Sauce ships with the sliders and tenders whether or not you get the combo); single sliders, tenders and Bites are the chicken without the fries. The 40-piece Hot Box (a sharing size), the plant-based 'Not Chicken' combos, the Saucy Bites, the Hot Mozz line, the Top-Loaded Fries and Top-Loaded Buffalo Mac variants, cheese add-ons, and all sauce cups and packets are not included. Dave's publishes gram serving weights for these items. Menus change; verify in the restaurant (updated Nutritional information as of the Dave's Hot Chicken FOODS nutrition chart, Revised 3/16/26).
The quick take
Dave's is fried chicken, so there is no truly lean order, expect high fat and sodium throughout. The highest-protein, most protein-dense single order is Dave's Bites (10 pc) at 650 calories for 41 g of protein, with no bun or fries (though at 1,570 mg it is also the saltiest single). A Single Tender (490) or Slider (620) on its own is lighter. The combos add fries for 930 to 1,500 calories and 2,350 to 3,400 mg of sodium at No Spice or Lite Mild, and the hotter spice levels add more fat and sodium still. Treat Dave's as an occasional splurge, not an everyday GLP-1 spot.
The menu, scored
Scored for whole meals, a gentler bar than single ingredients, since a balanced meal is naturally less protein-dense and fat only counts against it once it tops half the calories. Best fit first; re-sort by what matters today, and tap "Show the math" for the exact rule on any card. How we score.
Nishi's picks
Our best-fit orders for ordering on a GLP-1, from Dave's Hot Chicken's published nutrition. Re-sort them by what matters to you today.
Dave's Bites (10 pc)Good fit
41 g protein · 650 cal · 39 g carbs · 35 g fat · 0 g fiber
watch: 1570 mg sodium
Show the math
Protein41 gstrong at 30 g or morestrong
Protein density6.3 g per 100 kcalstrong at 7.5+, weak under 4moderate
Fat48.5% of caloriesflag over 50% or friedok
Fiber0 greward 5+, flag over 30ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 30 gnot scored
Portion density650 kcalflag if density under 4 and 300 kcal or moreok
Sodium1570 mginformational over 1200 mgshown; does not change the tier
Good fit. Solid, but not the full combination of strong protein, strong density, and no flags, so it sits in the middle. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Dave's #1 ComboGood fit
56 g protein · 1230 cal · 119 g carbs · 58 g fat · 3 g fiber
watch: 3080 mg sodium
Show the math
Protein56 gstrong at 30 g or morestrong
Protein density4.6 g per 100 kcalstrong at 7.5+, weak under 4moderate
Fat42.4% of caloriesflag over 50% or friedok
Fiber3 greward 5+, flag over 30ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 30 gnot scored
Portion density1230 kcalflag if density under 4 and 300 kcal or moreok
Sodium3080 mginformational over 1200 mgshown; does not change the tier
Good fit. Solid, but not the full combination of strong protein, strong density, and no flags, so it sits in the middle. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Dave's #3 ComboGood fit
62 g protein · 1370 cal · 128 g carbs · 67 g fat · 3 g fiber
watch: 3400 mg sodium
Show the math
Protein62 gstrong at 30 g or morestrong
Protein density4.5 g per 100 kcalstrong at 7.5+, weak under 4moderate
Fat44% of caloriesflag over 50% or friedok
Fiber3 greward 5+, flag over 30ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 30 gnot scored
Portion density1370 kcalflag if density under 4 and 300 kcal or moreok
Sodium3400 mginformational over 1200 mgshown; does not change the tier
Good fit. Solid, but not the full combination of strong protein, strong density, and no flags, so it sits in the middle. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Dave's #2 ComboGood fit
68 g protein · 1500 cal · 143 g carbs · 75 g fat · 3 g fiber
watch: 3340 mg sodium
Show the math
Protein68 gstrong at 30 g or morestrong
Protein density4.5 g per 100 kcalstrong at 7.5+, weak under 4moderate
Fat45% of caloriesflag over 50% or friedok
Fiber3 greward 5+, flag over 30ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 30 gnot scored
Portion density1500 kcalflag if density under 4 and 300 kcal or moreok
Sodium3340 mginformational over 1200 mgshown; does not change the tier
Good fit. Solid, but not the full combination of strong protein, strong density, and no flags, so it sits in the middle. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Dave's Bites (10 pc) with FriesGood fit
47 g protein · 1090 cal · 98 g carbs · 55 g fat · 3 g fiber
watch: 2770 mg sodium
Show the math
Protein47 gstrong at 30 g or morestrong
Protein density4.3 g per 100 kcalstrong at 7.5+, weak under 4moderate
Fat45.4% of caloriesflag over 50% or friedok
Fiber3 greward 5+, flag over 30ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 30 gnot scored
Portion density1090 kcalflag if density under 4 and 300 kcal or moreok
Sodium2770 mginformational over 1200 mgshown; does not change the tier
Good fit. Solid, but not the full combination of strong protein, strong density, and no flags, so it sits in the middle. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Mac & CheeseGood fit
14 g protein · 290 cal · 25 g carbs · 16 g fat · 1 g fiber
14 g protein · lower fat
Show the math
Protein14 gstrong at 30 g or morebelow 30 g
Protein density4.8 g per 100 kcalstrong at 7.5+, weak under 4moderate
Fat49.7% of caloriesflag over 50% or friedok
Fiber1 greward 5+, flag over 30ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 30 gnot scored
Portion density290 kcalflag if density under 4 and 300 kcal or moreok
Sodium1090 mginformational over 1200 mgok
Good fit. Solid, but not the full combination of strong protein, strong density, and no flags, so it sits in the middle. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Intelligent weight managementGet your personal targets
Your protein and calorie numbers, and what clears them at any chain, not just this one. About 2 minutes, free.
Deciding what to order at Dave's Hot Chicken?Nishi scores your exact order against your goals, builds it with you, and remembers what works, at any restaurant.
Scored a lower fit for a GLP-1 pattern, whether for higher fat, a denser portion, or less protein per calorie. Some carry a lot of protein but enough fat or calories that our rubric still rates them a lower fit, so the number is not the whole story. Each shows the specific reason. For a better fit, see the orders above. How we score.
Single Tender (no sides)Lower fit
25 g protein · 490 cal · 30 g carbs · 29 g fat · 0 g fiber
watch: higher fat (53.3% of calories), 1210 mg sodium
Show the math
Protein25 gstrong at 30 g or morebelow 30 g
Protein density5.1 g per 100 kcalstrong at 7.5+, weak under 4moderate
Fat53.3% of caloriesflag over 50% or friedflagged
Fiber0 greward 5+, flag over 30ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 30 gnot scored
Portion density490 kcalflag if density under 4 and 300 kcal or moreok
Sodium1210 mginformational over 1200 mgshown; does not change the tier
Lower fit. Flagged on fat without both strong protein and strong density. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Single Slider (no sides)Lower fit
31 g protein · 620 cal · 41 g carbs · 37 g fat · 0 g fiber
watch: higher fat (53.7% of calories)
Show the math
Protein31 gstrong at 30 g or morestrong
Protein density5 g per 100 kcalstrong at 7.5+, weak under 4moderate
Fat53.7% of caloriesflag over 50% or friedflagged
Fiber0 greward 5+, flag over 30ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 30 gnot scored
Portion density620 kcalflag if density under 4 and 300 kcal or moreok
Sodium1150 mginformational over 1200 mgok
Lower fit. Flagged on fat without both strong protein and strong density. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Dave's #4 ComboLower fit
37 g protein · 1060 cal · 103 g carbs · 56 g fat · 3 g fiber
watch: energy-dense, low protein, 2350 mg sodium
Show the math
Protein37 gstrong at 30 g or morestrong
Protein density3.5 g per 100 kcalstrong at 7.5+, weak under 4low density
Fat47.5% of caloriesflag over 50% or friedok
Fiber3 greward 5+, flag over 30ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 30 gnot scored
Portion density1060 kcalflag if density under 4 and 300 kcal or moreflagged
Sodium2350 mginformational over 1200 mgshown; does not change the tier
Lower fit. Protein density is under 4 g per 100 kcal, which is fundamentally low when appetite is limited. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Dave's #5 ComboLower fit
31 g protein · 930 cal · 92 g carbs · 48 g fat · 3 g fiber
watch: energy-dense, low protein, 2410 mg sodium
Show the math
Protein31 gstrong at 30 g or morestrong
Protein density3.3 g per 100 kcalstrong at 7.5+, weak under 4low density
Fat46.5% of caloriesflag over 50% or friedok
Fiber3 greward 5+, flag over 30ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 30 gnot scored
Portion density930 kcalflag if density under 4 and 300 kcal or moreflagged
Sodium2410 mginformational over 1200 mgshown; does not change the tier
Lower fit. Protein density is under 4 g per 100 kcal, which is fundamentally low when appetite is limited. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Cheese FriesLower fit
7 g protein · 450 cal · 60 g carbs · 20 g fat · 3 g fiber
watch: energy-dense, low protein, 1340 mg sodium
Show the math
Protein7 gstrong at 30 g or morebelow 30 g
Protein density1.6 g per 100 kcalstrong at 7.5+, weak under 4low density
Fat40% of caloriesflag over 50% or friedok
Fiber3 greward 5+, flag over 30ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 30 gnot scored
Portion density450 kcalflag if density under 4 and 300 kcal or moreflagged
Sodium1340 mginformational over 1200 mgshown; does not change the tier
Lower fit. Protein density is under 4 g per 100 kcal, which is fundamentally low when appetite is limited. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Not Chicken Bites (no sides)Lower fit
8 g protein · 490 cal · 53 g carbs · 27 g fat · 0 g fiber
watch: energy-dense, low protein
Show the math
Protein8 gstrong at 30 g or morebelow 30 g
Protein density1.6 g per 100 kcalstrong at 7.5+, weak under 4low density
Fat49.6% of caloriesflag over 50% or friedok
Fiber0 greward 5+, flag over 30ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 30 gnot scored
Portion density490 kcalflag if density under 4 and 300 kcal or moreflagged
Sodium310 mginformational over 1200 mgok
Lower fit. Protein density is under 4 g per 100 kcal, which is fundamentally low when appetite is limited. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Single Not Chicken Slider (no sides)Lower fit
8 g protein · 490 cal · 38 g carbs · 33 g fat · 0 g fiber
watch: higher fat (60.6% of calories), energy-dense, low protein
Show the math
Protein8 gstrong at 30 g or morebelow 30 g
Protein density1.6 g per 100 kcalstrong at 7.5+, weak under 4low density
Fat60.6% of caloriesflag over 50% or friedflagged
Fiber0 greward 5+, flag over 30ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 30 gnot scored
Portion density490 kcalflag if density under 4 and 300 kcal or moreflagged
Sodium680 mginformational over 1200 mgok
Lower fit. Protein density is under 4 g per 100 kcal, which is fundamentally low when appetite is limited. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
French FriesLower fit
6 g protein · 440 cal · 58 g carbs · 20 g fat · 3 g fiber
watch: energy-dense, low protein
Show the math
Protein6 gstrong at 30 g or morebelow 30 g
Protein density1.4 g per 100 kcalstrong at 7.5+, weak under 4low density
Fat40.9% of caloriesflag over 50% or friedok
Fiber3 greward 5+, flag over 30ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 30 gnot scored
Portion density440 kcalflag if density under 4 and 300 kcal or moreflagged
Sodium1200 mginformational over 1200 mgok
Lower fit. Protein density is under 4 g per 100 kcal, which is fundamentally low when appetite is limited. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Kale SlawLower fit
2 g protein · 270 cal · 8 g carbs · 26 g fat · 3 g fiber
watch: higher fat (86.7% of calories)
Show the math
Protein2 gstrong at 30 g or morebelow 30 g
Protein density0.7 g per 100 kcalstrong at 7.5+, weak under 4low density
Fat86.7% of caloriesflag over 50% or friedflagged
Fiber3 greward 5+, flag over 30ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 30 gnot scored
Portion density270 kcalflag if density under 4 and 300 kcal or moreok
Sodium170 mginformational over 1200 mgok
Lower fit. Protein density is under 4 g per 100 kcal, which is fundamentally low when appetite is limited. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Best proteins to build around
GLP-1 fit is Nishi's score, not the restaurant's. How we score.
Numbers are for one item as Dave's Hot Chicken lists it on its FOODS nutrition chart, at the milder Not Hot & Lite Mild spice band where two bands are published; a combo is the slider or tenders plus fries, and single sliders, tenders and Bites are the chicken without fries. Tap "Show the math" on any pick to see exactly how its rating was calculated.
Dave's Bites (10 pc)Lower fit
41 g protein · 650 cal · 35 g fat · 1570 mg sodium
watch: higher fat (48.5% of calories), 1570 mg sodium
Show the math
Protein41 gstrong at 25 g or morestrong
Protein density6.3 g per 100 kcalstrong at 10+, weak under 6moderate
Fat48.5% of caloriesflag over 37.5% or friedflagged
Fiber0 greward 5+, flag over 18ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 17 gnot scored
Portion density650 kcalflag if density under 6 and 300 kcal or moreok
Sodium1570 mginformational over 800 mgshown; does not change the tier
Lower fit. Flagged on fat without both strong protein and strong density. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Single Tender (no sides)Lower fit
25 g protein · 490 cal · 29 g fat · 1210 mg sodium
Protein density5.1 g per 100 kcalstrong at 10+, weak under 6low density
Fat53.3% of caloriesflag over 37.5% or friedflagged
Fiber0 greward 5+, flag over 18ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 17 gnot scored
Portion density490 kcalflag if density under 6 and 300 kcal or moreflagged
Sodium1210 mginformational over 800 mgshown; does not change the tier
Lower fit. Protein density is under 6 g per 100 kcal, which is fundamentally low when appetite is limited. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Single Slider (no sides)Lower fit
31 g protein · 620 cal · 37 g fat · 1150 mg sodium
Protein density5 g per 100 kcalstrong at 10+, weak under 6low density
Fat53.7% of caloriesflag over 37.5% or friedflagged
Fiber0 greward 5+, flag over 18ok
Added sugarnot published by the restaurantflag over 17 gnot scored
Portion density620 kcalflag if density under 6 and 300 kcal or moreflagged
Sodium1150 mginformational over 800 mgshown; does not change the tier
Lower fit. Protein density is under 6 g per 100 kcal, which is fundamentally low when appetite is limited. These published rules are applied the same way to every item scored on this bar; see how we score.
Go easy on
Everything is fried, every chicken item at Dave's is hand-breaded and fried, so fat is high across the board (most items are 45 to 55 percent of calories from fat). There is no grilled option; the leanest-relative choice is the highest-protein, smallest order you will be satisfied with.
Sodium, sodium is very high everywhere: chicken singles run 1,150 to 1,570 mg and the combos 2,350 to 3,400 mg at No Spice or Lite Mild, more than a full day in one combo. The Kale Slaw (170 mg) is the lowest-sodium item, though it is high in fat from the dressing.
The combo fries, the fries are what turn a 490 to 650 calorie order of chicken into a 930 to 1,090 calorie combo; the multi-piece combos run 1,230 to 1,500. Ordering the chicken on its own, or Dave's Bites, keeps the protein and drops hundreds of calories and a lot of sodium.
Hotter spice levels, the hotter bands (Mild through Reaper) are listed with more fat and sodium than the No Spice and Lite Mild versions, roughly 10 to 30 percent more on the chicken items and far more sodium on the plant-based Not Chicken singles. If you are watching either, No Spice or Lite Mild is the lighter choice.
Common questions
What's the most GLP-1-friendly order at Dave's Hot Chicken?
Dave's Bites (10 pc) on their own: 650 calories for 41 g of protein, with no bun or fries, the most protein for the fewest calories here. A Single Tender (490 calories, 25 g) or Single Slider (620, 31 g) without the combo is lighter still. The key move is skipping the combo's fries.
Is Dave's Hot Chicken OK on a GLP-1?
As an occasional splurge, yes; as an everyday spot, not really. Everything is fried, so fat and sodium are high no matter what you order. If you go, Dave's Bites (10 pc) or a single tender on its own, at No Spice or Lite Mild and without the fries, is the way to get a lot of protein with the least around it.
How much sodium is in a Dave's combo?
A lot. At No Spice or Lite Mild the combos run about 2,350 to 3,400 mg of sodium, with the #4 and #5 the lowest (around 2,350 to 2,410) and the #3 the highest at about 3,400. That is roughly a full day's sodium in one combo, and the hotter spice levels add more. Ordering the chicken on its own (1,150 to 1,570 mg) is the way to cut it, though it is still high.
What's the best side at Dave's on a GLP-1?
None are great. Kale Slaw is the lowest in sodium (170 mg) and calories (270) but high in fat from the dressing; Mac & Cheese adds 14 g of protein but 1,090 mg of sodium. The fries are the heaviest add. If you want to keep it lighter, skip the side and let the chicken be the meal.
Which Dave's Hot Chicken order has the most protein?
Among the orders listed in this guide, the Dave's #2 Combo carries the most protein: about 68 g in 1500 calories. That is the highest total protein in the guide, which is not the same as the most protein per calorie: a larger order can carry more total protein along with more calories and fat.
What is the lowest-calorie Dave's Hot Chicken order with at least 15 g of protein?
Among the orders listed in this guide, the lowest-calorie Dave's Hot Chicken order that still reaches at least 15 g of protein is the Single Tender (no sides): about 490 calories and 25 g protein.
How each score is calculated. Deterministic rules published in full in our methodology (v1.1), with one published bar for single ingredients and one for whole meals. Every row above lists the exact factors behind its label.
What the score does and does not consider. See the limitations. It scores one item, not your whole day, and it is not medical advice.
How to challenge or correct it.Tell us if a value is stale or a call looks wrong. Corrections are recorded in the methodology version history.
