8 Healthiest Dishes at Chili's, According to Dietitians

Chili's is well known for its Tex-Mex-inspired cuisine, featuring famous baby back ribs, enchiladas, and other hearty dishes. However, many of the menu items—like the Big Bacon BBQ Burger, which packs 1,660 calories, 114 grams of fat, and 2,650 milligrams of sodium—aren't exactly health-conscious choices. But among the ribs, steak dinners, and massive enchilada plates, there are quite a few healthy Chili's menu options to choose from.

To help you make more nutritious selections, we've rounded up eight of Chili's healthiest dishes recommended by dietitians for their balanced nutrition and delicious taste.

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How To Order Healthy Menu Items at Chili's

If you're trying to eat healthy at Chili's, here are a few tips to get you started.

• Watch your sodium intake. Many Chili's menu items are high in sodium. To keep your meal balanced, choose dishes that contain less than 1,800 milligrams of sodium. To further keep your sodium intake in check, consider skipping extras like cheese or salty sides.
• Choose lean proteins with balanced sides. Many of the healthier dishes at Chili's feature lean proteins like grilled chicken, salmon, or sirloin steak. These proteins will help fill you up while keeping calories and saturated fat low.
• Ask for sauce and dressing on the side. Dressings and sauces can add a significant amount of calories, sugar, saturated fat, and sodium to your meal. Instead of skipping your favorite dressing altogether, ask for it on the side. This allows you to control how much you use, adding just enough for flavor without overdoing it.
• Take advantage of the sides. Chili's offers several healthy, fiber-filled side options like corn on the cob, asparagus, broccoli, and black beans. These can add extra nutrients to your meal and help fill you up in a more balanced way.
• Get a to-go box. Many portions served at Chili's are large enough to exceed your daily needs for calories, saturated fat, and sodium. If you often leave the restaurant feeling overly full, ask for a to-go box at the start of your meal. Splitting your dish in half allows you to enjoy your favorite foods without overindulging, turning one meal into two.

The Best Healthy Chili's Menu Options

If you're heading out for a work lunch or date night and want a more healthful option, try one of these eight dietitian-approved healthy Chili's menu options!

Ancho Salmon

"The Ancho Salmon at Chili's is a balanced choice of chile-seasoned salmon, Mexican rice, and broccoli with a drizzle of pesto and queso on top! It clocks in at 640 calories and 43 grams of protein to help keep you full and satisfied," says Caroline Thomason, RD CDCES. "I love leaving a restaurant comfortably full compared to overly stuffed, and this meal does just that," Thomason adds.

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Margarita Grilled Chicken

"The Margarita Grilled Chicken at Chili's stands out as a nutrient-dense option for diners seeking a balanced meal. With 52 grams of protein and only 3 grams of saturated fat, it provides an excellent source of lean protein while keeping the saturated fat content in check," says Kristin Draayer, MS, RDN. "The accompanying black beans add a heart-healthy touch with their fiber content, and the Pico, tortilla strips, and Mexican rice offer a flavorful and satisfying combination," Draayer adds.

Grilled Chicken House Salad with Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette

The house salads come loaded with tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, shredded cheese, and garlic croutons for a lot of flavor, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Adding the grilled chicken on top, along with a drizzle of citrus balsamic vinaigrette, adds protein and fat to keep you full and satisfied. Just be sure to ask for the dressing on the side so you can add as much or as little as you want!

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Cup of Chicken Enchilada Soup

If you're looking for something light, a cup of chicken enchilada soup clocks in at just 200 calories, is low in fat, and has 10 grams of protein. Paired with a side salad and veggie side, this would make a healthy and satisfying light lunch.

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Sweet Corn on the Cob

Chili's has a variety of choices for healthy side dishes, and being able to choose corn on the cob is a fun and nutritious choice, especially if you're pairing it with a protein-heavy entree like steak or chicken. This side dish has just 1 gram of saturated fat and adds 3 grams of fiber and protein to your meal.

Santa Fe Salad

The Santa Fe Chicken Salad topped with grilled chicken is a healthy balanced choice for lunch or dinner. It's more than enough food to fill you up—especially with the satiating avocado—and keep you full for hours with 30 grams of protein. Snag the dressing on the side to reduce the amount of saturated fat you add. With the creaminess of the avocado, which is high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, you may be surprised how little dressing you actually need!

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Guiltless Sirloin, 6-ounce

Yes, you can get a steak dinner from the Chili's menu on a night out and still feel good about your food decision. Choose the 6-ounce sirloin instead of the 10-ounce option to save on calories, sodium, and saturated fat. The side of asparagus will also deliver a bit of fiber to help you feel full.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

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Pepper Pals Grilled Chicken Dippers

If you're a fan of chicken tenders but don't want the extra fat and calories that come from deep-fried chicken, then give the grilled chicken dippers a try for a healthy Chili's order. For an extra 80 calories and 14 grams of sugar, you can dip your grilled chicken tenders in their house-made BBQ sauce.