When ordering a salad at a restaurant, most people assume they are making a healthy, low-calorie choice. However, many popular chain restaurant salads are actually calorie bombs, packed with more calories than a standard cheeseburger. While the base ingredients like greens and vegetables are nutritious, heavy dressings, fried toppings, and rich cheeses quickly drive up the calorie count.
High-Calorie Salads at The Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory is known for its massive portions, and its salads are no exception. The Santa Fe Salad contains 1,670 calories, featuring marinated chicken, fresh corn, black beans, cheese, tortilla strips, and a spicy peanut-cilantro vinaigrette. For an even heavier option, the Sheila’s Chicken and Avocado Salad reaches a staggering 1,820 calories.
Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad
A long-time favorite for many, the Oriental Chicken Salad at Applebee’s comes in at 1,550 calories. This dish features crispy breaded chicken tenders on a bed of Asian greens, crunchy noodles, almonds, and a sweet Oriental vinaigrette, served alongside a buttery garlic breadstick.
Chili’s Quesadilla Explosion Crispers Salad
Chili’s offers the Quesadilla Explosion Crispers Salad, which delivers 1,420 calories. This meal combines hand-battered chicken crispers, cheese, tomatoes, corn salsa, tortilla strips, and a citrus-balsamic dressing, all served with cheese quesadillas on the side.
Buffalo Wild Wings Honey BBQ Chicken Salad
The Honey BBQ Chicken Salad at Buffalo Wild Wings contains 1,060 calories. It features grilled chicken tossed in honey BBQ sauce, mixed with romaine, cabbage, carrots, ranch dressing, cheddar-jack cheese, bacon crumbles, and croutons.
California Pizza Kitchen Charcuterie Salad
Topping the list is the Charcuterie Salad from California Pizza Kitchen, which contains a massive 2,540 calories for a full portion. This salad features mixed greens, basil, and a mustard herb vinaigrette, loaded with premium toppings like applewood smoked ham, salami, creamy Brie, Parmesan, green apples, candied walnuts, and toasted sesame crackers.
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