Photo: Hotwhip website.

Costco’s food court is famous for affordable comfort food, from the hot dog combo to giant pizza slices. Recently, a new item has sparked a surprisingly intense debate online — and the first question most people ask is: how many calories are in Costco chicken tenders?

The answer, as reported for one serving, is around 1,640 calories.

What you get for $6.99

The meal usually includes five large, thick-cut chicken tenders and a dipping sauce, priced at $6.99. Compared with typical fast-food tenders, Costco’s version is noticeably larger and heavier, which is part of why the calorie count is so high. Many customers describe the tenders as extra crunchy outside and juicy inside, and because the portion is so large, some shoppers share one order between two people.

Why the sauce matters so much

A large share of those calories reportedly comes from the dipping sauce. Creamy sauces made with mayonnaise, oils, sugar and cheese can add hundreds of calories very quickly. Without the sauce, the tenders are still heavy, but the total becomes much more manageable. That is why online debate has focused less on the chicken alone and more on how heavily people dip.

Why the item caused controversy

The tenders replaced a beloved calzone-style pizza item, which upset longtime Costco fans. At the same time, the 1,640-calorie figure made the meal one of the highest-calorie food court items Costco has introduced, and it became a symbol of the trend toward oversized fast-food portions.

How to enjoy them more lightly

If you still want to try them, share the order, use less sauce, pair the meal with vegetables or salad later in the day, or make a lighter homemade dip. As an occasional treat, most healthy adults can enjoy them without issue — the bigger concern is frequency and portion size, not a single visit.