Blackened Chicken with Pickles and Macaroni

Fast food doesn’t always have to be a diet disaster, and Popeyes is no exception. If you’re craving that tender chicken but still want to stay on track with your weight loss goals, you can make a few savvy menu swaps.

By utilizing certain menu hacks and being mindful of portion sizes, you can enjoy the taste of Popeyes while still sticking to your weight loss goals. These smart choices allow you to satisfy your cravings without derailing your progress.

TikTok creator @smallersam_pcos, who lost 200 pounds “naturally” and has over 1.2M followers on the app, shared her secret menu hack from Popeyes that she describes as “mind-blowing.” Read on to get all the details.

This menu hack has around 500 calories and 50 grams of protein. She says to order the “5-piece strip meal, blackened, with a side of pickles, macaroni, and no biscuit. Don’t forget the Louisiana hot sauce.”

She drizzles hot sauce over the chicken, adds pickles, and shakes everything thoroughly inside the box. “It’s giving Nashville hot chicken,” she adds.

She likes to dip the chicken into her macaroni for an extra burst of flavor in every bite.

This menu hack aids in weight loss by focusing on high-protein and lower-calorie options. With around 500 calories and 50 grams of protein, it’s a satisfying and nutritious choice. Opting for the blackened cuts out extra calories from breading, while skipping the biscuit avoids unnecessary carbs.

The pickles and macaroni add flavor without adding excessive calories, and the hot sauce provides a spicy kick without extra calories. The high protein content helps keep you full longer and supports muscle maintenance, making it easier to stick to your weight loss goals.

Source: Shutterstock, TikTok