Price, Calories, and Ordering Guide
Not every visit to a steakhouse has to end with a steak, and the crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich has become one of the go-to picks for guests who want something hearty, handheld, and a little less formal than a full entrée.
At LongHorn Steakhouse, this sandwich pairs a golden, hand-breaded chicken breast with classic sandwich toppings and a housemade ranch, all stacked on a toasted bun.
This guide covers everything worth knowing before you order: what’s actually in the sandwich, current pricing and calorie information, how to customize it for a lighter meal, and how it stacks up against other handheld options on LongHorn’s menu.
Whether you’re a regular trying to decide if today’s the day to order it again, or a first-timer trying to figure out if it’s worth the calories, this breakdown should answer the questions that actually matter before you sit down.
“Hand-breaded buttermilk chicken breast fried crisp, topped with ranch, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and onion.”
What’s In the Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich
At its core, the crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich starts with a chicken breast that’s been marinated in buttermilk before being hand-breaded and fried to order.
That buttermilk marinade is a classic technique for a reason the acidity helps tenderize the meat while the breading crisps up into a satisfyingly crunchy exterior once it hits the fryer.
According to LongHorn’s own menu listings, the sandwich is topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and a housemade ranch, served on a toasted bun.
The combination is straightforward by design, letting the crispy chicken and tangy ranch do most of the work rather than burying the sandwich under an excessive number of toppings.
That restraint is actually part of what makes it work a sandwich with too many competing flavors can easily overwhelm the texture contrast between the crispy exterior and the juicy interior of a well-fried chicken breast, and Longhorn’s version seems to have been built with that balance specifically in mind. Crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich
Core Ingredients
- Hand-breaded chicken breast, marinated in buttermilk before frying
- Lettuce and tomato for freshness and crunch
- Sliced onion and pickles for acidity and bite
- Housemade ranch dressing, the sandwich’s signature topping
- Toasted bun, typically a potato bun
Price and Calories
Pricing for the crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich varies noticeably across sources, generally landing somewhere in the $9–$15 range depending on the source, region, and whether it’s listed as a standalone item or part of a combo with a side.
Calorie estimates show a similar spread, with most sources placing the sandwich itself somewhere between roughly 920 and 1,080 calories, and a full combo with fries pushing that total higher still.
What Affects the Total
- Combo vs. standalone ordering adding fries or another side to the sandwich meaningfully increases the total calorie count
- Cheese add-ons, if included, add both calories and fat beyond the base sandwich
- Ranch portion, since this dressing is a significant contributor to both calories and sodium
- Bun choice, with a toasted potato bun generally adding more calories than a lighter bread option, where available
Understanding which of these factors matters most to you personally is generally more useful than fixating on a single total calorie figure, since two guests ordering the exact same sandwich can end up with meaningfully different totals depending on how much ranch they use and whether they order it alongside fries or a lighter side.
Because pricing and nutrition figures for crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich showed real inconsistency across the sources checked for this guide some placing the standalone price under $10, others closer to $15 confirming the exact current price and nutrition details through Longhorn’s official website or in-restaurant nutrition guide is the most reliable way to know what you’ll actually pay and consume before ordering.
This kind of variance is fairly common across third-party restaurant menu trackers generally, since these sites often scrape or manually update pricing on inconsistent schedules, meaning a number that was accurate six months ago may no longer reflect current menu pricing at your specific location.
How to Order It Lighter
If you love the crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich but want to manage the calorie or sodium load, a few simple modifications can make a real difference without sacrificing the core flavor.
None of these changes require special requests beyond what most full-service restaurants can typically accommodate, so it’s worth asking your server about any of them rather than assuming the sandwich only comes one way.
- Ask for ranch on the side rather than applied directly, giving you control over how much is actually used
- Swap the crispy chicken for grilled chicken, where available, to reduce fat and calories while keeping the same toppings
- Skip the top bun and eat it open-faced to reduce the overall carbohydrate count
- Choose a lighter side, like steamed broccoli or a side salad, instead of fries
- Split the sandwich with a dining companion and pair your half with a cup of soup or a smaller side
Is It Gluten-Free or Gluten-Sensitive?
Because the sandwich relies on a breaded, fried chicken breast and a traditional bun, it is not considered gluten-free as served. Both the breading and the bun contain wheat-based ingredients, and while some locations may be able to offer a grilled chicken substitution without the bun.
Cross-contact risk in a kitchen that also fries breaded items remains a real consideration for guests with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivities.
Guests with specific dietary restrictions should confirm preparation details directly with their server rather than assuming a modification fully eliminates gluten exposure, since shared fryers and prep surfaces are a common source of cross-contact even when the core ingredients themselves are swapped out.
Nutrition Snapshot
Beyond the raw calorie count, it’s worth understanding the broader nutrition profile of this sandwich, since it combines a fried protein with a creamy dressing and a refined-grain bun.
What to Know Nutritionally
- High in protein, thanks to the substantial chicken breast portion at the center of the sandwich
- High in sodium, largely driven by the breading, ranch dressing, and pickles combined
- Contains gluten, from both the breading and the bun, as noted above
- Moderate to high in saturated fat, primarily from the frying process and ranch dressing
Third-party nutrition trackers generally classify this sandwich as a good source of protein but flag it as high in sodium, which is a fairly typical profile for a fried, sauced sandwich rather than something unique to this particular menu item.
Guests managing sodium intake specifically should pay closer attention to the ranch portion and pickle content, since both are common contributors to sodium totals in sandwiches built around this general style of preparation.
How It Compares to Other LongHorn Handhelds
LongHorn’s handheld lineup includes a few other options worth considering if the crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich isn’t quite what you’re looking for, whether you’re after something lighter, beef-based, or more shareable.
- Steakhouse Cheeseburger a beef-forward alternative for guests who want a classic burger rather than a chicken sandwich
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich a lighter alternative using the same core toppings without the fried breading
- Chicken Tenders hand-breaded chicken in a shareable, dip-friendly format rather than sandwich form
Among these, the crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich stands out as the most indulgent chicken option, making it the natural choice for guests specifically craving that crunchy, fried texture rather than a lighter or beef-based alternative.
Guests deciding between the cheeseburger and the chicken sandwich often find it comes down to a fairly simple preference question: whether you’re in the mood for a beef patty with classic burger toppings, or a fried chicken breast with a tangier, ranch-forward flavor profile both deliver a similarly hearty, indulgent meal, just built around different core proteins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in the LongHorn crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich?
Estimates vary by source, generally ranging from roughly 920 to 1,080 calories for the sandwich alone, with a full combo including fries pushing the total noticeably higher. Checking LongHorn’s official nutrition guide gives the most accurate figure for your specific order.
How much does the crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich cost?
Pricing varies significantly by source and location, generally falling somewhere in the $9–$15 range, so confirming current pricing through LongHorn’s official website or your local restaurant is the most reliable approach.
Is the LongHorn crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich gluten-free?
No, it is not gluten-free as served, since both the breading and the bun contain wheat-based ingredients. Guests with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivities should discuss modifications directly with restaurant staff.
Can I get the chicken grilled instead of fried?
Yes, most locations can substitute grilled chicken for the crispy, hand-breaded version, offering a lighter alternative while keeping the same core toppings and ranch.
What sides pair well with the crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich?
Steamed broccoli, seasoned rice, sweet potato, and a side salad are all commonly recommended pairings for guests who want to balance out the richness of the fried chicken with a lighter side.
Is the crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich available all day?
It’s typically part of the lunch menu at many locations, generally available on weekdays until the mid-afternoon, though exact availability and hours can vary by restaurant.
Conclusion
The crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich has earned its spot as one of LongHorn’s most popular handheld options by keeping things simple: a well-marinated, hand-breaded chicken breast, classic fresh toppings, and a tangy housemade ranch, all on a toasted bun.
Whether you order it as-is for maximum indulgence or make a few adjustments for a lighter meal, understanding the ingredients, calorie considerations, and available substitutions makes it easier to order a version that fits what you’re actually craving.
For guests who want steakhouse-quality comfort food without ordering a full steak, this sandwich remains a reliable, satisfying choice proof that a menu built primarily around fire-grilled beef can still turn out a genuinely great chicken sandwich when it puts the same care into execution.
References
- LongHorn Steakhouse. “Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich.”
- MyFoodDiary. “Nutrition Facts for LongHorn Steakhouse Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich.”
- Open Food Facts. “LongHorn Steakhouse, Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich.”
- LongHorn Steakhouse Official Nutrition Guide (PDF).
- Darden Restaurants, Inc. “Our Brands: LongHorn Steakhouse.”
- USDA FoodData Central. “Chicken Sandwich, Fried, Fast Food.”