Applegate Chicken Nuggets (16 oz): Protein, Calories & Labelgrade
Labelgrade: B 77 / 100 — Cleanest ingredient list of the three chicken nugget brands we've graded — no soy protein extenders, expeller-pressed oils, lowest sodium. Protein density is mid-pack and fiber is essentially zero (typical for breaded chicken), capping the overall grade despite strong ingredient quality.
The short answer
A 16 oz (454 g) bag of Applegate Chicken Nuggets contains roughly 60 grams of protein total — 12 g per 6-nugget (84 g) serving, across about 5 servings per bag (USDA FDC 1938447). The Labelgrade is B (77 / 100): protein density sits between Tyson and Great Value, but the noticeably cleaner ingredient list — no soy protein extenders, expeller-pressed oils, lower sodium — lifts the ingredient quality score into the A- band.
Why this Labelgrade
| Dimension | Grade | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein density | B- | 71 / 100 | 14.3 g of protein per 100 g — between Tyson (15.6) and Great Value (12.0). Mid-pack on density alone |
| Ingredient quality | A- | 85 / 100 | Shortest ingredient list of the three brands we’ve graded; expeller-pressed canola and sunflower oils; rice flour and rice starch round out the breading; no soy protein concentrate or phosphate additives |
| Protein per dollar | N/A | — | Typically the most expensive of the three at retail; we’ll add verified pricing in the next refresh |
| Overall | B | 77 / 100 | The premium-ingredient option. You pay more per gram of protein, but the cleaner formulation justifies the bump for buyers who care about additives. Ingredient quality is A-tier; density holds the overall grade to B |
How it compares
| Product | Protein per serving | Protein density (per 100 g) | Sodium per serving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applegate Chicken Nuggets (this product) | 12 g | 14.3 g | 340 mg (lowest) |
| Tyson Chicken Nuggets (29 oz) | 14 g | 15.6 g (highest) | 470 mg |
| Great Value Chicken Nuggets (32 oz) | 9 g | 12.0 g | 430 mg |
| Plain cooked chicken breast (benchmark) | ~31 g per 100 g | 31.0 g | ~75 mg |
Tyson narrowly wins protein density. Applegate wins on ingredient simplicity and lowest sodium. Great Value wins on price per ounce (when retail pricing is held constant). Plain cooked chicken breast wins on essentially every dimension except convenience and kid-appeal.
Whole-food equivalent
To match the 12 g of protein in one Applegate serving (6 nuggets, 84 g), you’d need only about 39 g of plain cooked chicken breast — roughly 1.4 oz. That swap also saves about 130 calories, 8 g of fat, and 265 mg of sodium (USDA FDC 1938447 vs. SR Legacy chicken breast).
Scope
This page covers the 16 oz (454 g) frozen Applegate Chicken Nuggets (UPC 025317055185, USDA FDC ID 1938447). Applegate sells multiple chicken products — organic vs natural lines, “Homestyle” nuggets, and chicken strips — each with different ingredients and nutrition profiles. Manufacturers periodically reformulate, so always check the actual package label.
Ingredients (from the USDA Branded Foods entry)
White meat chicken, wheat flour, water, rice flour. Contains less than 2% of the following: sea salt, corn starch, rice starch, cane sugar, leavening (cream of tartar, sodium bicarbonate), garlic powder, onion powder, yeast, expeller pressed sunflower oil, expeller pressed canola oil. Breading set in expeller pressed canola oil.
| Nutrient | Per Serving (84 g (6 nuggets)) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 190 |
| Protein | 12g |
| Total Fat | 9g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 14g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 1g |
| Sodium | 340mg |
| Cholesterol | 35.3mg |
| Calcium | 5.88mg |
| Iron | 1mg |
| Potassium | 181mg |
Where to buy
Links below are affiliate links. Buying through them may earn Labelgrade a commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure. The Labelgrade score is not affected by affiliate relationships — see methodology.
Search links are convenience links that may not land on the exact product variant we covered. Always verify the package label (size, UPC) before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much protein is in a 16 oz bag of Applegate Chicken Nuggets?
About 60 grams of protein total — 12 grams per 6-nugget (84 g) serving, across roughly 5 servings per bag (USDA FDC 1938447).
How many calories per serving?
190 calories per 6 nuggets (84 g).
Why does Applegate cost more than Tyson or Great Value?
The ingredient list is shorter and uses higher-cost components: expeller-pressed canola and sunflower oils instead of standard refined vegetable oil, rice flour and rice starch instead of just wheat, no soy protein extenders. Applegate also sources from antibiotic-free chicken (per their branding).
Are these gluten-free?
No. Wheat flour is the second ingredient in the breading.
How much sodium per serving?
340 mg per 6 nuggets — about 15% of the FDA daily limit. That's the lowest of the three branded chicken nuggets we've graded so far.
Are Applegate Chicken Nuggets a good source of protein?
Yes — 12 g per serving is 24% of the FDA Daily Value (50 g), which qualifies as a 'good source' under FDA nutrient content claim rules.
Sources
- USDA · ID 1938447 · accessed 2026-05-27
- MANUFACTURER · accessed 2026-05-27
Last verified: 2026-05-27