USDA Standard Reference · Fast Foods
McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS
According to USDA FoodData Central (FDC ID 173297, data refreshed July 2026), nutrition facts per 100g, sourced verbatim.
- 302
- Caloriesmoderate density
- 15.8g
- Proteinhigh · 32% DV
- 15.1g
- Carbsmoderate · 5% DV
- 19.8g
- Fathigh · 25% DV
McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS contains 302 calories per 100g according to USDA FoodData Central. It has 15.8g of protein, 19.8g of fat, and 15.1g of carbohydrates per 100g. Data is sourced verbatim from the USDA Standard Reference database, refreshed July 2026.
- More protein than 63% of USDA whole foods
The verdict
McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS carries 15.8g of protein per 100g, more than 63% of USDA whole foods.
- 15.8g
- protein per 100g
- Top 37%
- protein vs USDA whole foods
- 302
- calories per 100g
- 0.1g
- sugar per 100g
Percentile computed against the 7,880 USDA SR Legacy and Foundation whole foods with a protein value, not branded or processed items.
McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS contains 302 calories per 100g, according to the USDA FoodData Central database. It provides 15.8g of protein, 19.8g of fat, and 15.1g of carbohydrates per 100g. Below you will find a complete nutrient breakdown including vitamins, minerals, and daily value percentages based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are normalized to a 100g serving per the USDA FoodData Central standardization. Source: USDA laboratory analysis and manufacturer-reported label data for food products sold in the United States.
Where this data comes from
USDA FoodData Central is the United States government's authoritative reference for food composition, maintained by the Agricultural Research Service and updated as new laboratory analyses and manufacturer submissions are processed. McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS is catalogued there as FDC ID 173297, a usda standard reference entry, in the "Fast Foods" food group. Every figure on this page comes from USDA laboratory analysis under the FDC USDA Standard Reference program, standardized to 100 g so it can be compared fairly against any other food in the database. Values are shown on the USDA per-100 g basis.
By the per-100g standardization, McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS reads as high protein, sugar free within common dietary frameworks. Compare it against 6 nutritionally similar items in Nearby Foods below, or browse the whole Fast Foods group for context.
Nutritional Value at a Glance
McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS is a high-protein food (by FDA per-100g convention), making it suitable for muscle building and recovery diets.
Allergen indicators
No FDA Big 9 major-allergen indicator was detected in the product name and brand text scan (milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame). Absence-of-flag does NOT mean allergen-free. The USDA FoodData Central release does not always include a full ingredient list, always verify with the FDA-mandated ingredient and allergen statement printed on the physical package before consumption.
Where the calories mostly come from
Values per 100g
Macro Breakdown
302 kcal = 15% of FDA 2,000 kcal Daily Value
Values shown per 100g, the USDA FoodData Central standardization. Serving size for this entry is not declared in the USDA release.
How McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS compares to Fast Foods
Per 100 g, against the average across all fast foods foods in USDA FoodData Central.
81% Higher in protein than 81% of fast foods on record, a standout in its group.
Category averages computed live across the USDA Fast Foods group. Compare against a specific food →
Where McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS ranks on protein
Its 15.8g of protein per 100g placed against every USDA reference (whole) food, the 7,880 SR Legacy and Foundation items with a protein value.
Protein per 100g - McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS vs every USDA reference food
USDA reference (whole) foods with a protein value
16 Top 37% higher than 63% of 7,880 USDA reference foods
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more USDA reference foods. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy & Foundation · July 2026
Where McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS sits among Fast Foods
Plotted by protein and calorie percentile among the 312 Fast Foods foods with both values, not raw amounts, so foods of very different sizes compare fairly.
McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS: 81st protein percentile, 82nd calorie percentile among Fast Foods foods
Read the chart as text
- Fast foods, nachos, with cheese: Protein percentile 11, Calorie percentile 94
- CHICK-FIL-A, Chick-n-Strips: Protein percentile 93, Calorie percentile 29
- SUBWAY, cold cut sub on white bread with lettuce and tomato: Protein percentile 27, Calorie percentile 23
- BURGER KING, french fries: Protein percentile 4, Calorie percentile 68
- KFC, biscuit: Protein percentile 17, Calorie percentile 96
- POPEYES, Fried Chicken, Mild, Thigh, meat only, skin and breading removed: Protein percentile 96, Calorie percentile 18
- DIGIORNO Pizza, supreme topping, rising crust, frozen, baked: Protein percentile 43, Calorie percentile 43
- Fast foods, taco with beef, cheese and lettuce, hard shell: Protein percentile 19, Calorie percentile 28
- School Lunch, pizza, BIG DADDY'S LS 16" 51% Whole Grain Rolled Edge Turkey Pepperoni Pizza, frozen: Protein percentile 68, Calorie percentile 39
- SUBWAY, roast beef sub on white bread with lettuce and tomato: Protein percentile 51, Calorie percentile 7
- WENDY'S, Chicken Nuggets: Protein percentile 84, Calorie percentile 91
- KFC, Popcorn Chicken: Protein percentile 88, Calorie percentile 96
- POPEYES, Fried Chicken, Mild, Drumstick, meat only, skin and breading removed: Protein percentile 97, Calorie percentile 11
- DIGIORNO Pizza, pepperoni topping, thin crispy crust, frozen, baked: Protein percentile 63, Calorie percentile 72
- Fast Food, Pizza Chain, 14" pizza, cheese topping, stuffed crust: Protein percentile 52, Calorie percentile 61
- Fast foods, grilled chicken in tortilla, with lettuce, cheese, and ranch sauce: Protein percentile 70, Calorie percentile 27
- Fast foods, biscuit, with ham: Protein percentile 45, Calorie percentile 94
- PIZZA HUT 12" Cheese Pizza, THIN 'N CRISPY Crust: Protein percentile 79, Calorie percentile 83
- PIZZA HUT 14" Super Supreme Pizza, Hand-Tossed Crust: Protein percentile 38, Calorie percentile 39
- McDONALD'S, DOUBLE QUARTER POUNDER with Cheese: Protein percentile 85, Calorie percentile 49
- BURGER KING, Hash Brown Rounds: Protein percentile 3, Calorie percentile 82
- Pizza, pepperoni topping, regular crust, frozen, cooked: Protein percentile 75, Calorie percentile 61
- Fast foods, burrito, with beans and beef: Protein percentile 41, Calorie percentile 19
- LITTLE CAESARS 14" Cheese Pizza, Thin Crust: Protein percentile 82, Calorie percentile 86
- McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS: Protein percentile 81, Calorie percentile 82
Read the chart
McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS ranks at the 81st percentile for protein and the 82nd percentile for calories among Fast Foods foods (n=312).
- Fast foods, nachos, with cheese: 11th protein percentile, 94th calorie percentile
- CHICK-FIL-A, Chick-n-Strips: 93rd protein percentile, 29th calorie percentile
- SUBWAY, cold cut sub on white bread with lettuce and tomato: 27th protein percentile, 23rd calorie percentile
- BURGER KING, french fries: 4th protein percentile, 68th calorie percentile
- KFC, biscuit: 17th protein percentile, 96th calorie percentile
- POPEYES, Fried Chicken, Mild, Thigh, meat only, skin and breading removed: 96th protein percentile, 18th calorie percentile
- DIGIORNO Pizza, supreme topping, rising crust, frozen, baked: 43rd protein percentile, 43rd calorie percentile
- Fast foods, taco with beef, cheese and lettuce, hard shell: 19th protein percentile, 28th calorie percentile
- School Lunch, pizza, BIG DADDY'S LS 16" 51% Whole Grain Rolled Edge Turkey Pepperoni Pizza, frozen: 68th protein percentile, 39th calorie percentile
- SUBWAY, roast beef sub on white bread with lettuce and tomato: 51st protein percentile, 7th calorie percentile
- WENDY'S, Chicken Nuggets: 84th protein percentile, 91st calorie percentile
- KFC, Popcorn Chicken: 88th protein percentile, 96th calorie percentile
Full Nutrient Breakdown
Every nutrient USDA reports for this food, per 100 g, with each value's share of the FDA Daily Value shown as a bar.
Macronutrients
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 15.1 G | 5% |
| Energy | 302 KCAL | |
| Protein | 15.8 G | 32% |
| Total Sugars | 0.08 G | |
| Total lipid (fat) | 19.8 G | 25% |
| Ash | 2.2 G | |
| Energy | 1263.0 kJ | |
| Fructose | 0.00 G | |
| Galactose | 0.00 G | |
| Glucose | 0.00 G | |
| Lactose | 0.00 G | |
| Maltose | 0.00 G | |
| Sucrose | 0.08 G | |
| Water | 47.1 G |
Vitamins
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Niacin | 7 MG | |
| Pantothenic acid | 1 MG | |
| Riboflavin | 0 MG | |
| Thiamin | 0 MG | |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.3 UG | |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0 MG | |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1 MG |
Minerals
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium, Ca | 11 MG | 1% |
| Iron, Fe | 1 MG | 5% |
| Potassium, K | 252 MG | 5% |
| Sodium, Na | 566 MG | 25% |
| Copper, Cu | 0 MG | |
| Magnesium, Mg | 24 MG | |
| Manganese, Mn | 0 MG | |
| Phosphorus, P | 272 MG | |
| Zinc, Zn | 1 MG |
Lipids
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Cholesterol | 44 MG | 15% |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.3 G | 16% |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.11 G | |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 8.1 G | |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 5.6 G | |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.05 G | |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.06 G | |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.01 G | |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.28 G | |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.28 G | |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 G | |
| MUFA 18:1 | 7.7 G | |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 7.6 G | |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.14 G | |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 G | |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 G | |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.01 G | |
| PUFA 18:2 | 5.2 G | |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.02 G | |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 5.1 G | |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.32 G | |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.03 G | |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 G | |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 G | |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.02 G | |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.05 G | |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 G | |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 G | |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 G | |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 G | |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 G | |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.04 G | |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 G | |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.1 G | |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.01 G | |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.99 G | |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.07 G | |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.04 G | |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.03 G | |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 G | |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 G | |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 G | |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 G | |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.05 G | |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.06 G | |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 G |
Other
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 G | |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.30 G | |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 G | |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.01 G | |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.01 G |
Key takeaways
- McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS delivers 15.8g of protein per 100g, more than 63% of USDA whole foods. See the protein ranking
- It carries 302 calories per 100g - about at or above the fast foods average of 253. Compare fast foods
- Based on its per-100g profile, it fits high protein, sugar free patterns.
Nearby Foods
Foods in the same category with similar calorie content, useful for swaps, substitutions, and side-by-side comparison.
BURGER KING, Hash Brown Rounds
Fast Food, Pizza Chain, 14" pizza, cheese topping, thin crust
CHICK-FIL-A, hash browns
Fast foods, biscuit, with egg, cheese, and bacon
PIZZA HUT 12" Cheese Pizza, THIN 'N CRISPY Crust
WENDY'S, french fries
→ Compare McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS side-by-side with BURGER KING and Fast Food
Frequently Asked Questions
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More in This Category
Other foods in Fast Foods
Nutrition Guides
Learn how to interpret and use nutrition data effectively
Primary source data
Data Sources & Methodology
Data from USDA FoodData Central, April 2026 release. See our methodology.
Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC ID 173297) — USDA Standard Reference database. Verify with USDA →
Source: FDA 2,000-calorie Daily Value reference — %DV computed against the USDA per-100g standardization basis.
Disclaimer: This information is for reference only and should not replace professional dietary advice. Nutrient content may vary by brand, preparation method, and seasonal factors.
All federal data sources used on this page
- USDA FoodData Central — SR Legacy — nutrient composition for generic and staple foods (Standard Reference lineage, final release April 2018). fdc.nal.usda.gov/data-documentation
- USDA FoodData Central — Foundation Foods — nutrient values from USDA's newer, most rigorously lab-analyzed dataset. fdc.nal.usda.gov/Foundation_Foods_Documentation
- USDA FoodData Central — Branded Foods — manufacturer-submitted label data for packaged products. fdc.nal.usda.gov/data-documentation
- USDA FoodData Central — FNDDS (Survey) — the Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies, used in national nutrition surveys. ars.usda.gov/fndds
- FDA Nutrition Facts Label regulations — the Daily Value percentages and label format this page's figures are computed against. fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label
- FDA food allergen labeling (FALCPA + FASTER Act) — the Big 9 major-allergen disclosure rules referenced on this page. fda.gov/food-allergies
Every figure on GetFoodFacts is rendered directly from official USDA FoodData Central records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.