Whataburger Apple & Cranberry Chicken Salad
Salads at fast food chains often feel like an afterthought. This one doesn’t. Crisp apple slices, sweet dried cranberries and grilled chicken over romaine give it real texture and a bit of sweetness most salads skip entirely.
This guide covers pricing, nutrition, customization and how it stacks up against Whataburger’s other salads.
Full View: Whataburger Menu with Prices
Price and Calories
| Item | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Apple & Cranberry Chicken Salad | $9.39 | 385 Cal |
Calories reflect the grilled chicken version. Switching chicken types changes the total.
What You Actually Get
Romaine lettuce forms the base, topped with matchstick carrots, shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, fresh apple slices, dried cranberries and your choice of chicken filet. A signature dressing comes on the side.
The fruit is what sets this one apart. Most fast food salads stick to vegetables and protein. This one leans into sweetness without losing the savory side entirely.
Price and Calories by Chicken Option
| Chicken Option | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Grilled Chicken Filet | $9.39 | 130 Cal |
| Whatachick’n Filet | $9.39 | 240 Cal |
| Spicy Chicken Filet | $9.39 | 180 Cal |
| No Chicken (Vegetarian) | $6.39 | 180 Cal |
Grilled chicken keeps the calorie count lowest among the protein choices. Switching to the crispy Whatachick’n Filet adds close to 110 extra calories at the same price.
Nutrition Facts (Grilled Chicken Version)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Weight | 342g |
| Calories | 385 |
| Calories from Fat | 110 |
| Total Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 6g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 105mg |
| Sodium | 770mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 39g |
| Dietary Fiber | 11g |
| Sugars | 25g |
| Protein | 32g |
This salad sits among the lightest full meals on the entire Whataburger menu. Fiber runs high at 11 grams, mostly from the fruit and greens. Sugar climbs to 25 grams though, almost entirely from the apples and sweetened cranberries rather than any added syrup.
Allergen Information
This salad contains egg, soy and milk. It skips wheat, which puts it ahead of several other Whataburger salads on that front, though cross contact in a shared kitchen is still possible.
What Goes Into It
The apple slices come treated with a bit of ascorbic acid and calcium carbonate, standard practice to keep them from browning after cutting. The cranberries are sweetened, mixed with sugar, citric acid and a touch of elderberry juice concentrate for color.
Cheese comes from a cheddar and Monterey Jack blend, made with pasteurized milk and a small amount of potato starch. The grilled chicken itself is boneless chicken breast, seasoned and cooked with a light coating of soybean oil.
Customization Options
| Add-On | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Grilled Chicken Filet | $3.20 | 130 Cal |
| Whatachick’n Filet | $3.00 | 240 Cal |
| Spicy Chicken Filet | $3.10 | 180 Cal |
| Bacon Slices | $1.50 | 70 Cal |
| Avocado | $1.30 | 90 Cal |
| Grilled Jalapeños | $0.65 | 10 Cal |
| Jalapeños | $0.65 | 0 Cal |
| Shredded Cheese | Free | 110 Cal |
Bacon doesn’t come standard on this salad, unlike the Cobb Salad. Adding it costs $1.50 if you want that extra savory contrast against the fruit.
Dressing Options
All dressings come at no extra charge. Pick from Creamy Pepper, Jalapeño Ranch, Ranch, 1000 Island, Honey Mustard, Balsamic Vinaigrette or skip dressing entirely.
Balsamic Vinaigrette and Honey Mustard tend to be the most common picks here, since both complement the sweetness from the apples and cranberries rather than competing with it.
Is It Available All Day?
Yes. Unlike breakfast items, this salad sits on the regular menu and stays available throughout Whataburger’s normal operating hours.
Can I Make It Vegetarian?
Yes. Selecting the No Chicken option drops the price to $6.39 and brings calories down to 180. You still get the cheese and fruit, just without any chicken filet included.
How It Compares to Other Whataburger Salads
| Menu Item | Price | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple & Cranberry Chicken Salad | $9.39 | 385 Cal | 32g |
| Garden Salad (Grilled Chicken) | $8.39 | 290 Cal | 32g |
| Garden Salad (No Chicken) | $5.69 | 180 Cal | 7g |
Both salads with grilled chicken land at the same protein count, but the Apple & Cranberry version adds more calories and sugar thanks to the fruit. If you want the lighter option without any fruit, the Garden Salad wins on calories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this salad different from the Garden Salad?
The Apple & Cranberry Salad includes fresh apple slices and dried cranberries for a sweeter profile that the Garden Salad doesn’t have.
Can I make this salad vegetarian?
Yes. Select No Chicken during customization to remove the chicken filet.
Which dressing pairs best with this salad?
Balsamic Vinaigrette and Honey Mustard are common picks, since both work well against the sweetness from the fruit.
Is this salad available all day?
Yes, it’s part of the regular menu during normal hours.
Is there added sugar in the cranberries?
Yes. The dried cranberries are sweetened.
Can I substitute the apple slices for something else?
Not officially, though you can ask to remove them and add a different topping.
How much protein does it offer?
32 grams with grilled chicken.
What’s the fiber content?
11 grams per serving.
Are the apples fresh or packaged?
They’re sliced apples treated with ascorbic acid to stay fresh, not dried or candied.
What allergens should I watch for?
Milk, egg and soy.
Can I add bacon to this salad?
Yes, for $1.50 extra.
Are there gluten free dressing options?
Check individual dressing labels, since some may contain gluten depending on the recipe.
Is this salad good for a low carb diet?
Not especially. At 39 grams of carbs, mostly from the fruit, it’s not built for strict low carb eating.
Can I remove the cheese?
Yes, on request.
Is this a seasonal item?
Availability can shift slightly by location, but it’s typically part of the standard menu.
Can I order it through the app?
Yes, through the Whataburger app and website.
Final Take
The Whataburger Apple & Cranberry Chicken Salad brings something most fast food salads skip, real sweetness that actually works. Crisp apples, tart cranberries and grilled chicken make this one of the lighter, more balanced options on the whole menu. Pick your chicken, choose a dressing, and you’ve got a salad that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
