Reading and exploring restaurant menus can be stressful if you're following a restrictive diet. That's why we made this complete guide to eating keto at Chili's! We’re here to show you how to easily navigate this restaurant's offerings while staying true to your keto goals by providing a thorough overview of Chili's menu, nutritional info, and ordering tips.
We’ll walk you through how to order keto-friendly at Chili's and how to choose the perfect entrées that align with your diet. We'll also suggest the best meal combinations to keep your carb count low and your satisfaction high. Plus, we’ll highlight what to steer clear of on its menu to maintain your ketogenic lifestyle. These tips allow you to enjoy a meal without compromising your keto goals. If you would like to explore other fast-food chains’ menus, check out our comprehensive keto guide to fast-food restaurants.
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How to Eat Keto at Chili's - Ordering Tips
Before diving into the specifics of its menu and what you can and cannot eat there while on keto, here are some general tips to keep in mind when ordering your low-carb meal:
- Go bunless: When ordering a burger or sandwich, ask for it without the bun, which contains most of the carbs.
- Skip the rice and the beans: Many of the main dishes at this place come with a side of Mexican rice or beans, which are very high in carb content. Instead, consider ordering a helping of veggies, like asparagus or broccoli.
- Always pick grilled meat: Opt for the grilled beef and chicken, which are usually super low-carb.
- Watch the sauces: Be careful with sauces and salad dressings, as they often contain hidden carbs and sugars.
- Avoid sugary drinks: Choose diet soda over regular soda, and if available, go for unsweetened versions of teas and lemonades.
Chili’s Entrées that Work With the Keto Diet
When it comes to main dishes, they offer three different protein options: chicken, beef, and seafood-based meals. This variety alone makes it an appealing dining choice for anyone on a keto diet. Here are some of our favorite entrées to satisfy your fast-food cravings while ensuring you don’t mess up your daily macros.
Big Mouth Burgers
Chili's Big Mouth Burgers are famous for their hearty portions and bold flavors. Here’s how to enjoy these delicious burgers while keeping them keto-friendly.
1. Oldtimer w/ Cheese
When you order it without the bun and fries, you’ll get a classic combination of beef patty, pickles, lettuce, tomato, red onion, mustard, and cheddar cheese. You can always double the order to make a low-carb, protein—and fat-packed feast.
2. Alex’s Santa Fe Burger
Without the bun, you’ll end up with a beef patty complemented by a delicious mixture of avocado, pepper Jack cheese, red onion, jalapeños, cilantro, and spicy Santa Fe sauce. To make it richer, consider pairing it with one of the keto-friendly sides mentioned in this guide.
3. Mushroom Swiss Burger
If you’re a big fan of mushrooms, then you’ll love this burger because it’s loaded with them. It also comes topped with sautéed onions, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. Just order it without the bun and skip the fries to make it keto-friendly.
4. Just Bacon Burger
As its name suggests, this is a simple burger layered with slices of bacon, cheddar cheese, pickles, red onion, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. If you would like to beef it up, Chili’s offers the option to add an extra beef patty. Even without the bun, we’d say this is a pretty filling meal.
Steaks & Ribs
Enjoy its succulent steaks and ribs by making a few simple adjustments to keep your meal keto-friendly.
1. Surf & Turf Ribeye
If you’re craving seafood, this delicious combination of marbled steak and a dozen shrimp served in garlic butter packs enough protein to meet your daily needs. However, remember that a side of steamed broccoli also comes with mashed potatoes, so be sure to ask for broccoli only.
2. Classic Ribeye
A steak topped with garlic butter is served with two sides of steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes. For a more keto-conscious choice, swap the potatoes for roasted asparagus.
3. Surf & Turf Sirloin - 10 oz.
This dish is similar to the Surf & Turf Ribeye but leaner and has half the fat content. Order it without the mashed potatoes for a truly keto-friendly meal.
4. Classic Sirloin - 6 oz. & 10 oz.
| Nutritional value | Net carbs | Fat | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Sirloin - 6 oz. | 1g | 12g | 34g |
| Classic Sirloin - 10 oz. | 2g | 18g | 54g |
Another simple meal consisting of seasoned steak topped with garlic butter. You can order it with a side of steamed broccoli and a side of roasted asparagus to keep it low-carb.
Another simple meal consisting of seasoned steak topped with garlic butter. You can order it with a side of steamed broccoli and a side of roasted asparagus to keep it low-carb.
5. Classic Sirloin with Avocado - 6 oz.
This sirloin with avocado is a juicy 6 oz. steak topped with creamy avocado slices. It's a tasty and keto-friendly choice, paired with roasted asparagus and cilantro pesto.
6. Smokehouse Combo
You can combine two or three different meats with this meal and choose two side dishes. Opt for the Jalapeno-Cheddar Smoked Sausage and the Ribs House BBQ. As long as you stick with the keto-friendly sides, you will stay safely within the keto guidelines.
Other Keto-Friendly Main Dishes at Chili's
Discover a variety of main dishes that can be easily customized to fit your keto diet.
1. Fajitas
| Nutritional Value | Net carbs | Fat | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grilled steak | 2g | 9g | 27g |
| Grilled chicken | 1g | 3.5g | 28g |
| Grilled shrimp | 1g | 2g | 11g |
To make it keto, order it without the tortillas or high-carb sides like rice or beans. You can mix and match them and order two different protein sources or a combination of all three. They are served with pico de gallo, sour cream, cheese, and salsa; you’ll also get guacamole upon request, which has only 1g of net carbs.
2. Ancho Salmon
This seared Atlantic salmon comes with cilantro and cilantro pesto, served with a side of Mexican rice and steamed broccoli. So, as long as you skip that side dish, you will enjoy this meal guilt-free.
3. Bacon Avocado Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Make this sandwich keto-friendly by skipping the bun, and you’ll enjoy grilled chicken and bacon with Swiss cheese, avocado, sautéed onion, tomato, lettuce, and mayonnaise.
Chili’s Keto Side Dishes
While it doesn't offer a wide range of side dishes, these options are healthy and low in carbs.
1. Steamed Broccoli
It is a simple yet satisfying side that brings a fresh, green crunch to your meal. It pairs perfectly with Chili's juicy grilled steaks or their keto-friendly grilled chicken.
2. Asparagus
This versatile side dish goes wonderfully with Chili's keto options, like Garlic Parmesan sauce-drizzled shrimp, or Santa Fe Sauce-topped grilled salmon. It enhances your meal with its crisp, delicate taste.
Many of Chili’s entrées come with a choice of two sides, so you can order one of both or double them.
Salads
What’s better than rounding up your meal by adding a portion of vitamin-packed greens enriched in flavor by delicious dressings? With one of these keto-friendly salads, you’ll ensure a satisfying yet appropriately low-carb dining-out experience at Chili’s.
1. Caesar Salad
If you order it without croutons, you’ll receive simple greens, Parmesan, and delicious Caesar dressing.
2. House Salad
When you order it without the garlic croutons, you’ll get a colorful mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and shredded cheese. You can pair it with a low-carb dressing of your choosing.
Chili’s Keto Sauces and Dressings
Luckily, Chili’s menu comes with many keto-approved options for sauces and salad dressings that can make any meal extra enjoyable. Here is a list of our low-carb favorites:
1. Buffalo Sauce
Add a spicy kick to your meal with Chili's Buffalo Sauce, perfect for those who like it hot.
2. Garlic Parmesan Sauce
This rich and creamy sauce combines the savory taste of garlic and parmesan, making it a delicious addition to any dish.
3. Santa Fe Sauce
Bring a touch of the Southwest to your plate with the zesty and creamy Santa Fe Sauce.
4. Ranch
5. Avocado Ranch
Creamy avocado mixed with classic ranch flavors, this dressing is a delicious twist on a beloved staple.
6. Blue Cheese
Bold and tangy, Blue Cheese dressing adds a robust flavor to salads and wings.
7. Caesar
This rich and savory dressing is perfect for your keto Caesar salad.
Chili’s Keto Add-Ons
To better tailor your meal into a keto-friendly treat that is both delicious and satiating, here are some substitutes and add-ons that you can ask for at Chili’s:
1. Classic Beef Patty
This juicy, flavorful patty satisfies your burger cravings without the bun. It’s perfect for a mouthwatering keto-friendly feast when paired with avocado slices and smoked bacon.
2. Avocado Slices
Creamy and rich avocado slices add a delightful texture and healthy fats to your meal. They’re a fantastic addition to Chili's beef patty or as a topping for their grilled chicken dishes, bringing a fresh, buttery flavor.
3. Applewood Smoked Bacon
It's crispy, smoky, and downright delicious. It’s the ideal sidekick for a classic beef patty or crumbled over a fresh keto salad, adding that irresistible bacon goodness.
4. Sautéed Mushrooms
Earthy and savory, sautéed mushrooms are a fantastic low-carb side that enhances any dish. They’re especially tasty on top of a grilled steak or mixed into a keto-friendly omelet at Chili's, adding depth and flavor.
Chili’s Keto Drinks
No meal would be complete without a nice drink you can pair it up with. For a refreshing finishing touch, consider the following options:
1. Diet Coke
It’s the perfect drink to enjoy alongside any of Chili’s keto-friendly dishes, from a hearty beef patty to a fresh salad.
2. Coke Zero
For those who crave the classic cola taste without the carbs, Coke Zero is a fantastic choice.
3. Unsweetened Tea
It is a light, refreshing drink that’s low in carbs and flavorful. It pairs beautifully with Chili’s grilled meats and keto-friendly salads, providing a crisp and clean complement to your meal.
Items to Avoid at Chili’s
While this guide aims to be comprehensive and cover everything that you can eat at Chili’s while on a keto journey if you’d rather just know what to steer clear of, here are some of the main culprits when it comes to high-carb content:
Chili's Copycat Recipes
If you're craving a homemade meal that tastes like it came from Chili's and want to bring the dining-out experience into your home, try some of our keto-friendly recipes:
Guacamole Dip with Keto Tortilla Chips
Guacamole dip paired with crispy keto tortilla chips is a must-have, low-carb crowd-pleaser for any party or personal treat.
Keto Chicken Fajitas
Who says you can't enjoy Mexican food on a keto diet? Try our Keto Chicken Fajitas recipe, packed with juicy chicken, crunchy bell peppers, and caramelized onions, all cooked in one pan for easy meal prep. Let's get started on this delicious dish!
Keto Nachos
These keto nachos are the perfect solution for satisfying your cravings while sticking to your health goals. Bursting with flavor and packed with nutritious ingredients, this nacho recipe is a must-try for anyone seeking a tasty and guilt-free snack complete with exciting toppings!
Conclusion
Eating keto at Chili's is simpler than you think! With our guide, you can enjoy delicious meals without worrying about your carb count. Choose grilled meats, skip the buns and high-carb sides, and go for the tasty low-carb dressings and drinks. Enjoy your meal and stick to your keto goals effortlessly!
Frequently asked questions
These are our most frequently asked questions. If you have more questions or want us to explore a topic further, please leave a comment below. We look forward to hearing from you and expanding the discussion!
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