Cookout Chicken Strips 2026 with Prices, Calories and Sauces
Cook Out’s Homemade Style Chicken Strips come 3 to an order for about $3.39 to $4.99, with 660 calories and 36 grams of protein. You pick 1 of 6 sauces, and a regular Cookout Tray with 3 strips, 2 sides and a drink costs about $7.99.
- 3Strips
- $3.39 to $4.99Price
- 660Calories
- 36 gProtein
If you have ever pulled up to Cook Out hungry and stared at the menu for a second too long, Cookout Chicken Strips usually feel like the easy choice. They are familiar, filling, and work with almost any tray combo. A lot of people order them without thinking twice, but others still pause and wonder about the price, calories, and how much food they are actually getting.
That is where this guide comes in. If you have ever wondered what to expect before ordering, the answers below cover the questions most people ask, with numbers from Cook Out’s own menu board and nutrition guide.
Quick answer: Cookout Chicken Strips cost about $3.39 to $4.99 for 3 strips (the Chicken Strip Snack). They have 660 calories, 36 g of protein and 2,130 mg of sodium. A regular Cookout Tray comes with 3 strips and a Jr. Tray comes with 2 strips (440 calories). Sauces are Cook Out Sauce, BBQ, Honey Mustard, Polynesian, Ranch and Buffalo.
Cookout Chicken Strips at a Glance
Let’s start with the basics. Cook Out calls them Homemade Style Chicken Strips. They are breaded, fried chicken strips with a crispy outside and a tender inside, which is why they stay popular. You can order them 3 ways: as the Chicken Strip Snack (3 strips with a sauce), inside a Chicken Strip Sandwich or Chicken Strip Club, or as the main in a Cookout Tray.
Most people choose them as part of a Cook Out tray because that gives better value and a more filling meal. They work well for lunch, dinner, or late-night cravings, and many stores stay open late.
From Cook Out’s official nutrition guide for a 3-strip order (8.25 oz).
How Much Do Chicken Strips Cost at Cookout?
One of the first things people ask is how much Chicken Strips at Cookout actually cost. Prices vary a little by location, but here is every way to order them.
| How You Order | What You Get | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Strip Snack | 3 strips and 1 sauce | $3.39 to $4.99 | 660 |
| Chicken Strip Sandwich | Strips with lettuce, tomato, honey mustard and mayo | $3.39 | 674 |
| Chicken Strip Club | Strips with bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo | $3.99 | 846 |
| Jr. Tray | 2 strips, 2 sides and a drink | $6.99 | 440 for the strips |
| Cookout Tray | 3 strips, 2 sides and a drink | $7.99 | 660 for the strips |
Prices match our full Cookout menu (October 2026). Calories are from Cook Out’s nutrition guide and menu board. In a December 2025 taste test, Business Insider paid $4.99 before tax for the 3-piece snack in South Carolina.
A junior tray costs less but comes with fewer strips. A regular tray costs more but feels more complete. Ordering chicken strips inside a tray almost always makes more sense than buying them on their own, because 2 sides and a drink add only about $3 to $4.60 over the strips alone.
How Many Chicken Strips Come in a Cookout Tray?
This question comes up all the time, especially for first-time visitors. Cook Out’s menu board answers it.
- Regular Cookout Tray: 3 chicken strips (660 calories), plus 2 sides and a drink.
- Jr. Tray: 2 chicken strips (440 calories), plus 2 sides and a drink.
- Strip sandwich swap: on a regular tray you can pick the Chicken Strip Sandwich (674 calories) instead of 3 strips.
If you are very hungry, pairing the strips with two solid sides usually does the trick. See every tray choice on our Cookout Tray Menu.
Cook Out Chicken Strips Nutrition Facts
If you’re considering ordering Chicken Strips, it’s helpful to know what you are getting nutritionally. These crispy, filling strips are popular for a reason and give you a lot of protein. At the same time, they are high in sodium, like most fried fast food. Here are the official numbers.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Item | Serving | Calories | Fat | Sat. Fat | Cholesterol | Sodium | Carbs | Fiber | Sugar | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Strips (3) | 8.25 oz | 660 | 33 g | 5 g | 60 mg | 2,130 mg | 60 g | 3 g | 0 g | 36 g |
| Chicken Strip Sandwich | 11.6 oz | 674 | 32 g | 4 g | 45 mg | 1,804 mg | 71 g | 2 g | 7 g | 28 g |
| Chicken Strip Club | 846 | 48 g | 11 g | 86 mg | 2,539 mg | 70 g | 2 g | 5 g | 39 g |
From Cook Out’s official nutrition guide. Trans fat is 0 g for all three. See every item on our Cookout Nutrition page.
How Many Calories Are in Cookout Chicken Strips?
A 3-strip order has 660 calories, so each strip is about 220 calories. The 2 strips in a Jr. Tray come to 440 calories. Most of the calories come from the breading and frying, and sauces and sides can push the total higher faster than people expect.
Strip calories are from the nutrition guide. Sauce calories are from our menu cards and assume 1 sauce cup.
Why Some Sites Show Different Numbers
Cook Out’s menu board rounds to the nearest 10, while the nutrition guide gives the exact figure. That is why you may see the Strip Sandwich at 680 or 674 calories and the Strip Club at 850 or 846. Both come from Cook Out. Numbers like “500 to 600 calories” for 3 strips are not from Cook Out.
What Is in Cook Out Chicken Strips?
If you have ever wondered what goes into Chicken Strips, you are not alone. Here is what Cook Out actually says, and what it doesn’t.
| Part | What We Know |
|---|---|
| Chicken | Breaded chicken strips, sold as “Homemade Style” on the menu board |
| Coating | A crispy breaded coating, so it contains wheat |
| Cooking | Fried, so the strips are crispy rather than grilled |
| Sauce | 1 of 6 sauces with the snack order |
| Full recipe | Not published by Cook Out |
Cook Out doesn’t publish an ingredient list for its strips, the oil it fries in, or its spice blend. The photo above is for illustration.
What Do Chicken Strips at Cookout Taste Like?
If you are wondering about flavor, here is the simple truth. Cook Out strips have a classic fried chicken taste with a peppery seasoning. They are not spicy on their own.
In its December 2025 taste test of chicken tenders from 14 chains, Business Insider found Cook Out’s strips crispy, well seasoned and peppery, and a good size for the price. The reviewer also felt they were a little too fried and could have had more meat inside. Shopfood’s April 2026 ranking of Cook Out’s menu put the Homemade Style Chicken Strips 8th out of 15 items and suggested asking for extra dipping sauce.
That mild, peppery flavor is actually why many people like them. You can dip them in different sauces without the taste clashing. Fresh strips are crisp on the outside and tender inside.
Are Chicken Strips at Cookout Spicy?
No. Chicken Strips at Cookout are not spicy by default. They are made to be crowd-friendly.
If you like heat, sauces are the way to go. Ask for Buffalo sauce, which is on Cook Out’s strip sauce list. For a hotter piece of chicken, try the Spicy Chicken Sandwich or the Cajun Chicken instead.
Allergens in Cookout Chicken Strips
If you have food sensitivities, it helps to know what you are dealing with. Cook Out doesn’t publish a full allergen chart, so here is what is clear and what to ask about.
- Wheat: yes, in the breading.
- Egg, milk and soy: not confirmed by Cook Out. Ask the store, because breading and sauces often contain them.
- Peanuts: Cook Out’s menu board says peanuts are used in its stores, so contact with other foods is possible.
- Shared fryer: strips are fried with other breaded foods, so cross-contact can happen.
Are Cook Out Chicken Strips Gluten-Free?
No. The breading contains wheat, and the fryer is shared with other items. If you have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, the strips are not a safe choice.
Based on Cook Out’s menu descriptions and menu board notes. Recipes can change, so always ask the store. See our Cookout Allergen Menu.
Best Sauces for Cookout Chicken Strips
This is where things get interesting. Sauces can completely change how the chicken strips taste. Cook Out’s menu board lists 6 sauces for the strips.
| Sauce | Calories | Flavor |
|---|---|---|
| Cook Out Sauce | 25 | The house sauce, tangy and savory |
| BBQ | 29 | Smoky and slightly sweet |
| Honey Mustard | 69 | Balanced sweet and tangy |
| Ranch | 73 | Creamy and cool |
| Polynesian | Not published | Sweet and fruity |
| Buffalo | Not published | The one to pick for heat |
Sauce list from Cook Out’s menu board. Calories are from our menu cards, because Cook Out’s guide doesn’t list each sauce. Polynesian and Buffalo calories are not published anywhere we could find. More on our Cookout Nutrition page.
Best Cookout Tray Combos With Chicken Strips
Choosing the right sides can make your tray feel complete without being overly heavy. Fried strips pair well with something light, crunchy, or refreshing to keep the meal balanced.
| Cookout Pairing | Calories | Why It’s a Good Match |
|---|---|---|
| Cajun Fries | 347 | Bold spice pairs well with the rich, savory chicken |
| Onion Rings | 128 | Crunchy coating and one of the lightest sides |
| Hushpuppies | 300 | A classic Southern side that rounds out the meal |
| Slaw | 99 | Creamy crunch that balances fried flavors |
| Corn Dog | 220 | Brings a fun, fair-style element to the tray |
| White Cheddar Cheese Bites | 190 | Cheesy and good for dipping in the same sauce |
| Large Sweet Tea | 290 | Cool and refreshing between salty, fried bites |
| Cheerwine Float | 401 | Sweet, fizzy contrast to crispy comfort food (may cost extra) |
| Milkshake (Oreo or Vanilla) | 802 or 555 | A smooth, sweet way to end the meal (costs extra on a tray) |
Example tray: 3 chicken strips (660), onion rings (128) and slaw (99) come to about 887 calories before your drink. Swap in fries and hushpuppies and it jumps to about 1,307.
Calories are from Cook Out’s nutrition guide. Build your own on our Cookout Calorie Calculator, or see our Cookout Fries, Onion Rings, Hush Puppies and Cheese Bites guides.
Cook Out Chicken Strips vs Other Chicken Items
Strips have the most protein of any single chicken order at Cook Out, but also the most sodium. Here is how every chicken item compares.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Chicken Item | Price | Calories | Protein | Sodium | Cooked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Nuggets (5 pc) | $0.99 to $2.39 | 240 | 16 g | 540 mg | Crispy |
| Char-Grilled Chicken Sandwich | $3.39 to $4.99 | 377 | 25 g | 575 mg | Grilled |
| Cajun Style Chicken | $3.39 to $4.99 | 377 | 25 g | Not listed | Grilled |
| Spicy Chicken Sandwich | $3.39 to $4.99 | 446 | 21 g | 1,158 mg | Crispy |
| Cajun Wrap | $1.79 to $2.19 | 501 | 25 g | 1,285 mg | Crispy |
| Ranch Wrap | $1.79 to $2.19 | 522 | 25 g | 1,273 mg | Crispy |
| Chicken Strips (3 pc) | $3.39 to $4.99 | 660 | 36 g | 2,130 mg | Crispy |
| Chicken Strip Sandwich | $3.39 | 674 | 28 g | 1,804 mg | Crispy |
| Chicken Strip Club | $3.99 | 846 | 39 g | 2,539 mg | Crispy |
Prices match our full menu. Calories, protein and sodium are from Cook Out’s nutrition guide.
| Feature | Chicken Strips | Nuggets | Chicken Sandwich |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portion Size | Larger pieces, more filling | Small, bite-sized portions | Hearty and dense |
| How to Eat | Easy to dip and enjoy | Perfect for snacking | Can be a bit messy |
| Best Suited For | A complete, satisfying meal | Quick snack or tray side | Traditional sit-down meal |
| Toppings and Add-ons | Served with a sauce | Served with a sauce | Comes with toppings |
| Convenience on the Go | Yes | Yes | Less portable |
Every Cook Out Chicken Item
Chicken Strips
3 homemade style strips with your choice of 6 sauces.
Crispy chicken wraps in Cajun, Ranch, Honey Mustard and more.
Char-grilled breast with Cajun seasoning, Texas Pete, lettuce, tomato and mayo.
Build a Chicken Tray
Pick a chicken main, 2 sides and a drink for about $7.99, or a Jr. Tray for about $6.99.
See the Tray MenuCount Your CaloriesHow to Order Chicken Strips at Cookout
- Ask for the Chicken Strip Snack if you want 3 strips on their own.
- Pick your sauce. Ask for a second sauce if you like to switch flavors.
- Make it a tray for 2 sides and a drink, the best value on the menu.
- Want it as a sandwich? Order the Chicken Strip Sandwich or the Chicken Strip Club.
Cook Out doesn’t have its own app or online ordering. Order in store or at the drive-thru, or see our Cookout Delivery guide for the few stores listed on delivery apps.
Useful Links
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Head Office | 15 Laura Lane, Suite 300, Thomasville, NC 27360, USA |
| Phone Number | 1-866-547-0011 |
| instagram.com/cookout | |
| facebook.com/cookout | |
| x.com/CookOut | |
| About Cook Out | cookout.com/company |
| Official Website | cookout.com |
| Full Menu With Prices | Cookout menu with prices |
| Locations | Cookout locations |
| Employment | Cookout careers |
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
At the end of the day, Cookout Chicken Strips are about comfort and value. They are not flashy, but they are dependable, filling and packed with protein. If you order them as part of a tray with the right sides and your favorite sauce, they feel worth the price. For many people, they remain one of the easiest and most satisfying choices on the Cook Out menu.
Plan your tray, check the prices above, and see the full Cookout menu before you go.
