Chili’s spicy shrimp tacos are a popular menu item at the Tex-Mex restaurant chain. But like many restaurant dishes, they can be high in calories. Knowing the calorie count can help you make informed choices when dining out.
In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the calorie content of Chili’s spicy shrimp tacos. We’ll examine the calories in each individual component of the tacos. We’ll also look at how the calories add up for the full serving.
Understanding calorie counts is important for maintaining a healthy diet. Excess calorie intake can lead to weight gain over time. Being aware of calorie amounts can help you balance your meals and make adjustments as needed.
Calories in Each Taco Component
Chili’s spicy shrimp tacos consist of several different ingredients that each contribute calories to the overall dish. Let’s break down the calories in each main component:
Tortillas
The spicy shrimp tacos are served on warm flour tortillas. Each 6-inch flour tortilla from Chili’s contains approximately:
- 150 calories
- 2.5 g fat
- 260 mg sodium
- 28 g carbs
- 2 g protein
Since the tacos come as a pair, there are two flour tortillas totaling about 300 calories just for the tortilla shells.
Shrimp
The spicy shrimp is the star ingredient in these tacos. A serving of Chili’s grilled shrimp contains roughly:
- 50 calories
- 1 g fat
- 590 mg sodium
- 2 g carbs
- 10 g protein
Each taco comes with a portion of about 3-4 large shrimp. So for two tacos, the shrimp contributes approximately 100-130 calories.
Slaw
The tacos are topped with a crunchy slaw made of cabbage, carrots, and other vegetables. A side salad’s worth of Chili’s Classic Cole Slaw has around:
- 80 calories
- 6 g fat
- 15 mg sodium
- 6 g carbs
- 1 g protein
There is approximately 1/4 cup of slaw on each taco. So for two tacos, the slaw adds about 160 calories.
Sauce
A spicy Sriracha sauce is drizzled over the tacos. Two tablespoons of a typical Sriracha sauce contains roughly:
- 15 calories
- 0 g fat
- 300 mg sodium
- 3 g carbs
- 0 g protein
Each taco likely has around 1 tbsp of sauce. So for both tacos, the sauce contributes approximately 30 calories.
Total Calories
Adding up the calories from each component, a full order of two Chili’s spicy shrimp tacos contains roughly:
- Tortillas: 300 calories
- Shrimp: 100-130 calories
- Slaw: 160 calories
- Sauce: 30 calories
- Total: 590-620 calories
So you’re looking at close to 600 calories total for the pair of tacos. This is a significant portion of an average adult’s recommended 2000 daily calorie intake.
Nutrition Information Table
Here is a table summarizing the full nutrition facts for a 2-taco order of Chili’s spicy shrimp tacos:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 590-620 |
| Total Fat | 9.5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 170 mg |
| Sodium | 1165-1195 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 66 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugars | 3 g |
| Protein | 21 g |
As you can see, the tacos are quite high in sodium at over 1000 mg. They also contain a good amount of cholesterol and saturated fat. The protein and fiber content help balance out some of the less healthy components. But overall the tacos are fairly high in calories and fat compared to other menu options.
Calorie Saving Tips
Here are some tips for reducing the calories if you want to make your Chili’s shrimp tacos a bit healthier:
- Ask for just one taco instead of two – this cuts the calories in half
- Order corn tortillas instead of flour – corn has around half the calories
- Skip the sour cream and cheese as add-ons
- Ask for extra salsa instead of the creamy Sriracha sauce
- Load up on the slaw and tomatoes for more volume and fiber
- Enjoy the tacos with a side salad instead of rice or beans
- Split an order with a friend
- Take home half the tacos for leftovers
Making a few simple tweaks can help turn these indulgent tacos into a more figure-friendly meal.
Healthy Taco Alternatives
If you want to pick a lighter taco option at Chili’s, consider these recommendations:
- Fajita Veggie Tacos
- Chicken Fajita Tacos
- Crispy Chicken Tacos
- Grilled Chicken Soft Tacos
- Create your own tacos with grilled chicken or steak, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, corn tortillas
All of these choices will save you 200 calories or more compared to the Spicy Shrimp Tacos.
You can also build a healthier custom taco salad by starting with romaine lettuce as the base and loading up with your favorite fresh toppings.
Conclusion
Chili’s spicy shrimp tacos clock in at around 600 calories for the full order. The flour tortillas, shrimp, slaw, and creamy Sriracha sauce all contribute substantial calories and fat. There are several ways you can adjust the tacos or swap in healthier choices to cut back on the calories. Being mindful of nutrition facts, controlling portions, and making smart menu picks can help you balance out this indulgent menu item.