Popeyes Chicken Tenders Menu 2026: Everything You Need To Know

Welcome to the Popeyes chicken tenders menu guide. Popeyes tenders are hand-battered in a Cajun-spiced coating and fried to a golden crunch — and according to Popeyes, they’re a fan favorite across the United States. Below you’ll find every tenders option with current prices, nutrition figures, flavors, sauces, and sides.

Last verified: October 2026. Prices and nutrition vary by location.

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Table of Contents

What’s on the Popeyes Chicken Tenders Menu?

Popeyes tenders start with chicken marinated in Louisiana seasonings, then hand-battered in a Southern-style coating and fried until golden brown — the same crispy treatment as their wings. Here’s every tenders item on the current menu, with prices and calories.

3Pc Tenders

3Pc Popeyes Tenders Only

$7.39 | 530-600 Cal

3Pc Tenders Combo

1 Reg. Side + 1 Reg. Drink + 1 Biscuit

$10.79 | 847 – 2,257 Cal

Large 3Pc Tenders Combo

2 Reg. Side + 1 Large Drink + 1 Biscuit

$12.79 | 957-3,107 Cal

5Pc Tenders

5Pc Popeyes Tenders Only

$9.89 | 840-1,050 Cal

5Pc Tenders Combo

1 Reg. Side + 1 Reg. Drink + 1 Biscuit

$12.99 | 1,157 – 2,707 Cal

Large 5Pc Tenders Combo

2 Reg. Side + 1 Large Drink + 1 Biscuit

$14.99 | 1,267 – 3,557 Cal

8Pc Tenders

8Pc Popeyes Tenders Only

$19.99 | 1,290-1,640 Cal

8Pc Tenders Family Meal

1 Large Side + 4 Biscuit + 3 Sauce
Feeds 3-4 People

$26.99 | 2,448 – 3,318 Cal

12Pc Tenders

12Pc Popeyes Tenders Only
Feeds 4-6 People

$29.99 | 1,910-2,400 Cal

12Pc Tenders Family Meal

2 Large Side + 6 Biscuit
Feeds 4-6 People

$39.99 | 3,812 – 5,342 Cal

12Pc Tenders Group Bundle

4 Side + 4 Biscuit + 4 Drinks
Feeds 4-6 People

$25 | 3,178 – 6,268 Cal

16Pc Tenders

16Pc Popeyes Tenders Only
Feeds 6-8 People

$35.99 | 2,520-3,290 Cal

16Pc Tenders Family Meal

3 Large Side + 8 Biscuit
Feeds 6-8 People

$50.49 | 5,166 – 7,496 Cal

Item	Description	Price	Calories
3Pc Tenders	3Pc Popeyes Tenders Only	$7.39	530–600 Cal
3Pc Tenders Combo	1 Reg. Side + 1 Reg. Drink + 1 Biscuit	$10.79	847–2,257 Cal
Large 3Pc Tenders Combo	2 Reg. Side + 1 Large Drink + 1 Biscuit	$12.79	957–3,107 Cal
5Pc Tenders	5Pc Popeyes Tenders Only	$9.89	840–1,050 Cal
5Pc Tenders Combo	1 Reg. Side + 1 Reg. Drink + 1 Biscuit	$12.99	1,157–2,707 Cal
Large 5Pc Tenders Combo	2 Reg. Side + 1 Large Drink + 1 Biscuit	$14.99	1,267–3,557 Cal
8Pc Tenders	8Pc Popeyes Tenders Only	$19.99	1,290–1,640 Cal
8Pc Tenders Family Meal	1 Large Side + 4 Biscuits + 3 Sauces; Feeds 3–4 People	$26.99	2,448–3,318 Cal
12Pc Tenders	12Pc Popeyes Tenders Only; Feeds 4–6 People	$29.99	1,910–2,400 Cal
12Pc Tenders Family Meal	2 Large Sides + 6 Biscuits; Feeds 4–6 People	$39.99	3,812–5,342 Cal
12Pc Tenders Group Bundle	4 Sides + 4 Biscuits + 4 Drinks; Feeds 4–6 People	$25.00	3,178–6,268 Cal
16Pc Tenders	16Pc Popeyes Tenders Only; Feeds 6–8 People	$35.99	2,520–3,290 Cal
16Pc Tenders Family Meal	3 Large Sides + 8 Biscuits; Feeds 6–8 People	$50.49	5,166–7,496 Cal

12Pc Tender Group Bundle

This includes:

12Pc Tenders Group Bundle
4 Dipping Sauces
4 Regular Sides
4 Regular Drinks
4 Sweet Biscuits

A crispy, golden bundle built to feed a crowd, with plenty of dipping sauces for the table. Add Popeyes’ Jalapeño Peppers if you want extra heat.

Bigger Box Tenders

This Popeyes Bigger Box includes:

10Pc Signature Chicken or 10Pc Chicken Tenders
3 Dipping Sauces
4 Buttery Biscuits

The Bigger Box works for lunch, dinner, or a bigger appetite. Add a refreshing drink to round out the meal.

3Pc Tenders

This deal includes:

3Pc Classic Tenders Combo
1 Dipping Sauce

Pair it with a cold drink for a complete meal, or upgrade to a combo with a side and biscuit.

5Pc Tenders

This deal includes:

5Pc Classic Tenders
2 Dipping Sauces

If three tenders aren’t enough, the 5Pc is the next step up. Enjoy it solo or with a friend by making it a combo with a refreshing drink.

8Pc Tenders Family Meal

This classic meal includes:

8Pc Tenders Family Meal Classic
3 Dipping Sauces
1 Large Side of your own choice
4 Sweet Biscuits

When five tenders aren’t enough, the 8Pc Family Meal steps in with a large side and biscuits for sharing.

12Pc Tenders Family Meal

This family meal includes:

12Pc Tenders
4 Dipping Sauces
2 Large Sides of your own choice
6 warm Biscuits

A boneless, shareable option for families and game nights — no bones, just dippable tenders.

16Pc Tenders Family Meal

This large meal includes:

16Pc Tenders Family Meal
6 Dipping Sauces
3 Large Sides
8 warm Biscuits

The 16Pc Family Meal is the largest tenders option. Pair it with a gallon of sweet tea or lemonade to feed the whole crew.

Popeyes Tenders Flavors Explained

Popeyes tenders come in three styles, and each one changes the eating experience.

Classic and Spicy tenders share the same hand-battered coating. Like Popeyes’ Signature Chicken — which the brand says is marinated for 12 hours — the tenders are marinated in Louisiana seasonings before frying. The only difference is heat: Spicy adds a Cajun kick to the same batter. Both land at 390 calories for three pieces, according to Popeyes.
Blackened tenders skip the batter entirely. The seasoning goes straight onto the meat, giving a charred, smoky crust instead of a crunchy shell. This drops the count to just 170 calories for three pieces while keeping protein close to the same.

If crunch is what you want, order Classic or Spicy. If you want a leaner tender with a bold seasoned bite, Blackened is the move.

Nutritional Information

The tenders’ crispy coating and juicy, flavorful chicken come with real numbers — compare calories, fat, sodium, and protein across the lineup in the table below. Figures are per serving and vary by location.

Nutrition	3Pc Tenders	5Pc Tenders	Bigger Box Tenders	8Pc Tenders Family Meal	12Pc Tenders Family Meal	12Pc Tender Group Bundle	16Pc Tenders Family Meal
Calories	460 Cal	770 Cal	1,530 Cal	1,220 Cal	1,840 Cal	1,840 Cal	2,450 Cal
Total Fat	20 g	33 g	65 g	52 g	78 g	78 g	104 g
Saturated Fat	8 g	13 g	25 g	20 g	30 g	30 g	40 g
Trans Fat	1 g	2 g	3 g	3 g	4 g	4 g	5 g
Cholesterol	95 mg	160 mg	320 mg	260 mg	380 mg	380 mg	510 mg
Sodium	1,820 mg	3,040 mg	6,070 mg	4,860 mg	7,280 mg	7,280 mg	9,710 mg
Total Carbohydrates	35 g	58 g	115 g	92 g	138 g	138 g	184 g
Dietary Fiber	1 g	2 g	5 g	4 g	6 g	6 g	8 g
Total Sugars	0 g	0 g	0 g	0 g	0 g	0 g	0 g
Protein	38 g	63 g	125 g	100 g	150 g	150 g	200 g

Best Dipping Sauces for Popeyes Tenders

Tenders and sauce are a package deal. These are the five best pairings — and you can browse the full Popeyes sauces guide for every dipping option with nutrition details.

Sweet Heat brings honey forward sweetness that balances the Cajun seasoning in Classic and Spicy tenders.
Blackened Ranch is the natural pairing for Blackened tenders, the cool creamy base plays off the smoky char.
Bayou Buffalo is the pick for real heat, especially layered on top of Spicy tenders.
Mardi Gras Mustard is the sleeper option, tangy with a touch of sweetness, great dipped with a warm biscuit.
Buttermilk Ranch is the safe crowd pleaser for family meals where kids are eating too.

Best Sides to Pair With Popeyes Tenders

Side	Calories (Regular)	Best Paired With
Mashed Potatoes with Cajun Gravy	110 Cal	Blackened tenders, lighter meal
Coleslaw	160 Cal	Any tenders style, cools down the heat
Cajun Rice	230 Cal	Group bundles, holds up well in bulk orders
Red Beans and Rice	260 Cal	Family meals, more filling option
Cajun Fries	270 Cal	Classic and Spicy tenders, classic combo
Homestyle Mac and Cheese	280 Cal	Kids meals, richest option on the list

Choose Mashed Potatoes or Coleslaw for a lighter plate. Choose Mac and Cheese or Red Beans and Rice if you want the meal to feel more substantial.

Tenders vs Signature Chicken vs Chicken Sandwich

Item	Protein Style	Calories (Base Serving)	Best For
Tenders, 3 pc Classic	White meat, hand battered, boneless	390 Cal	Dippable, shareable, easy portion control
Signature Chicken, 1 pc Breast	Bone in, hand battered	620 Cal	Traditional fried chicken, heartier bite
Chicken Sandwich, Classic	White meat fillet on a brioche bun	700 Cal	Handheld, on the go meal

Tenders vs nuggets vs strips: which to order

Popeyes sells BOTH nuggets and tenders, so you have two great boneless options to choose from. Here’s how nuggets, tenders, and strips compare — and which Popeyes order matches each craving.

Tenders — whole-muscle chicken tenderloins, hand-battered in Cajun-spiced coating and fried. At Popeyes, tenders come in Classic, Spicy, and Blackened, from a 3Pc ($7.39) up to a 16Pc Family Meal ($50.49). Best for a heartier meal when you want boneless, dippable chicken with real bite.
Nuggets — smaller, bite-sized all-white-meat pieces, best for snacking, sharing, and kids. They run from an 8Pc ($3.99, 380 cal) up to 48Pc boxes — full details on Popeyes nuggets
Strips — not a separate Popeyes menu item. That whole-muscle strip cut is sold as ‘tenders,’ so order Classic tenders for the same experience.

If tenders aren’t your thing, try the snackable nuggets for a lighter bite — or find bone-in Signature Chicken and more on the Popeyes chicken menu

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FAQs

According to Popeyes, a 3Pc Classic tenders order has about 445 calories. The nutrition table above lists 460 calories for the same size, and Popeyes cites 390 calories for three pieces in other materials — actual numbers vary by location and preparation. For a lighter choice, Blackened Tenders have about 170 calories for 3Pc, according to Popeyes.

Yes. Family meals let you choose your tenders style (Classic, Spicy, or Blackened) and pick large sides. The 8Pc Family Meal ($26.99) includes 1 large side, 4 biscuits, and 3 sauces; the 12Pc ($39.99) includes 2 large sides and 6 biscuits; the 16Pc ($50.49) includes 3 large sides and 8 biscuits. Availability varies by location.

Classic tenders pair well with Sweet Heat or Mardi Gras Mustard. Spicy tenders go with Bayou Buffalo or Buttermilk Ranch to balance the heat. Blackened tenders match Blackened Ranch. See the full Popeyes sauces guide for every option with nutrition details.

No. Popeyes tenders are hand-battered with wheat flour, so they are not gluten-free. Blackened tenders skip the batter but are prepared in the same kitchen, so cross-contact is likely. Check the Popeyes Nutrition page for allergen details.

Classic tenders have mild Cajun seasoning, not spicy. Spicy tenders add cayenne heat to the same coating. Blackened tenders have bold seasoning with a smoky char but less breading heat than Spicy.

Classic and Spicy share the same hand-battered coating; Spicy adds cayenne to the seasoning. Blackened skips the batter entirely — the seasoning goes directly on the meat for a charred, smoky crust. All three are available in 3Pc through 16Pc sizes.

3Pc Tenders are $7.39; 5Pc are $9.89; 8Pc are $19.99. Family meals run $26.99 (8Pc) to $50.49 (16Pc). Prices vary by location and are subject to change.

Yes. Popeyes tenders are whole-muscle chicken tenderloins, marinated in Louisiana seasonings, hand-battered, and fried. They are not ground or formed.

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