Quick Answer
The chicken Margherita from Olive Garden has around 29g of net carbs. This is based on calculating the nutritional information provided by Olive Garden for the chicken Margherita entree.
Calorie and Nutrition Information for Chicken Margherita from Olive Garden
According to the Olive Garden website, here are the calorie and nutrition facts for the Chicken Margherita entree:
| Serving Size | 1 entree (437g) |
| Calories | 540 |
| Total Fat | 16g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 165mg |
| Sodium | 930mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 41g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Sugars | 12g |
| Protein | 44g |
Calculating Net Carbs in Chicken Margherita
To calculate the net carbs in the Chicken Margherita entree, we take the total carbohydrates and subtract the fiber.
The total carbohydrates are 41g. The fiber is 4g.
Therefore:
Total Carbs: 41g
Fiber: 4g
Net Carbs = Total Carbs – Fiber
Net Carbs = 41g – 4g
Net Carbs = 37g
So the net carbs in the Olive Garden Chicken Margherita is approximately 37g.
Lower Carb Options at Olive Garden
While the Chicken Margherita is relatively high in carbs, Olive Garden does offer some lower carb options:
Herb Grilled Salmon
| Total Carbs | 5g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Net Carbs | 5g |
Shrimp Alfredo
| Total Carbs | 16g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Net Carbs | 14g |
Grilled Chicken Parmigiana
| Total Carbs | 11g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Net Carbs | 9g |
So ordering one of these lower carb entrees can help reduce your carb intake if you are trying to limit carbs.
Tips for Ordering Low Carb at Olive Garden
Here are some tips for ordering low carb options at Olive Garden:
Avoid breaded and fried menu items
Dishes that are breaded and fried like chicken parmigiana or chicken alfredo tend to be higher in carbs. Opt for grilled chicken or seafood dishes.
Ask for sauce on the side
Many Olive Garden sauces have added sugars. Order sauces like alfredo or marinara on the side so you can control how much you use.
Load up on low carb veggies
Opt for side dishes like broccoli, spinach, or zucchini. Get extra veggies instead of pasta or breadsticks.
Stick with salad dressing on the side
Salad dressings and add ins like croutons can add lots of hidden carbs. Ask for dressing on the side and hold croutons.
Avoid sugary drinks
Skip soda, juices, and cocktails. Opt for unsweetened iced tea, water with lemon, or dry wines which have lower carbs.
Conclusion
The Chicken Margherita entree from Olive Garden contains about 37g net carbs. While on the higher side, Olive Garden does offer lower carb options such as salmon, shrimp, and grilled chicken entrees. Limiting sauces, fried foods, sugary drinks, and extras like breadsticks and pasta side dishes can help reduce your carb intake when dining at Olive Garden. Being mindful about what you order and asking for modifications like sauce and dressing on the side can help you enjoy Olive Garden while maintaining a low carb or keto diet.