If you haven't already heard about the super-loaded, high-calorie dishes at your favorite chain restaurants, you better read up. (Some plates can pack on over 2,500 calories alone!) Luckily, there are also smarter options available at Chili's. Here's what to order.
Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage: Arnold Palmer
If you don't want to sip the obvious zero-calorie water, ask for an Arnold Palmer. At just 60 calories, the half-iced-tea-half-lemonade mixture is the smartest option (a straight lemonade will set you back double that—120 calories).
Best Margarita: Skinny Patrón
When offered a marg, you probably won't turn it down. Instead of loading up with extra calories, make sure you choose—even though we hate the name—a Skinny Patrón Margarita. It's only 110 calories (compared to 370 in a Strawberry Patrón marg) and contains zero sugar.
Best Appetizer: Smoked Bone-In Chicken Wings
When you want to start off strong and order a plate to share with friends, the smoked bone-in wings are your best bet. At 560 calories and 55 grams of protein, they're so much better than the greasy 1,670-calorie beef nachos that are packed with 110 grams of fat.
Best Ribs: Dr. Pepper BBQ
In the mood for some baby back ribs? Of course you are, you're at Chili's! The best pick to satisfy this craving is a half rack of Dr. Pepper barbecue ribs. They've got just 460 calories and 28 grams of fat—a feat compared to a full rack of honey-chipotle style, which contain 960 calories and 56 grams of fat.
Best Burrito: Grilled Smoked Chicken with Quinoa
Burritos can be heavy no matter what you pick, but Chili's quinoa and grilled smoked chicken option is quite healthy. It contains 860 calories, which is the same as the restaurant's chicken and rice burrito, but has a bit more protein.
Best Enchiladas: Chicken With Green Chile Sauce
If you're going to pick one of these typically saucy and cheesy meals, make it the chicken with green chile sauce. It's 100 to 200 calories less than the beef, cheese, and loaded options. And it has the most protein. Win-win.
Best Quesadilla: None
With more than 1,700 calories and 130 grams of fat each, none of the quesadilla options are a good idea. Turn to a burrito, enchiladas, or tacos instead.
Best Tacos: Ranchero Chicken
When you order three of these babies, you're gaining 59 grams of protein (versus 31 grams in the spicy shrimp version) and they're 820 calories. If you're not in the mood for poultry, the prime rib is a great option too, with 770 calories and 44 grams of protein. But stay away from the fatty pork carnitas, which packs 990 calories and 57 grams of fat.
Best Fresh Mex Bowl: Margarita Chicken with Quinoa
We're seeing a health trend on the Chili's menu: grilled chicken and quinoa. Order this bowl and you'll save yourself the most calories (it contains 860 and just 30 grams of fat), but the Chipotle Chicken with Quinoa (870 calories) and the Chipotle Chicken with Rice (880 calories) are equally as beneficial with 60 and 59 grams of protein, respectively. Just shy away from the prime rib option, which only gets you 42 grams of protein for 850 calories and 45 grams of fat.
Best Steak: Classic Sirloin with Grilled Avocado
Don't be tempted by the oversize 10-ounce steaks. Stick to the standard 6-ounce cut and you'll be golden. Because it contains 420 calories and 39 grams of protein with only 20 grams of fat. And that includes the vegetable sides it's served with!
Best Burger: Old Timer
This tried-and-true classic is a winner because it's got 760 calories, 45 grams of fat, and 44 grams of protein. Other contenders in this category don't fare so well, like the Big Mouth Bites (1,220 calories and 71 grams of fat) and the Southern Smokehouse (1,140 calories and 70 grams of fat).
Best Sandwich: Grilled Chicken
This option is smart because it's between 150 and 470 calories less than the other sandwich options. It's also comparably low in fat (35 grams) compared to the Bacon Avocado Sandwich (64 grams) and the California Turkey Club (66 grams).
Best Salad: Seared Shrimp Caribbean Salad
Clocking in with only 620 calories and 27 grams of fat, this tropical number is ideal. Although you could also order the chicken version (720 calories) if you're not into seafood. But definitely avoid the Quesadilla Explosion Salad, which contains a whopping 1,480 calories and 100 grams of fat.
Best Fish: Ancho Salmon
An offering on the "Lighter Choices" menu, this spicy filet weighs in with just 590 calories and a strong 48 grams of protein. And it looks damn delish.
Best Chicken: Mango-Chile Chicken
Topped with a slightly spiced mango salsa, this boneless chicken breast only contains 510 calories and just 17 grams of fat. Winner, winner, chicken dinner.
Best Soup: Southwest Chicken
A bowl of this hearty stuff contains 230 calories versus the 440-calorie Chicken Enchilada soup and the 460-calorie Terlingua chili.
Best Side: Asparagus and Garlic Roasted Tomatoes
Don't even think about the extremely heavy, 500-calorie macaroni and cheese when you have fresh fire-grilled veggies that clock in with just 70 calories and less than 2 grams of fat. Loaded mashed potatoes are a no-no as well, because they've got more than 350 calories and 23 grams of fat.
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