What to Order at Chili's with Gestational Diabetes (2026)

Chili's Is Actually Great for GD — Once You Know the Secrets

You're at Chili's for a work dinner, a family gathering, or just because you're craving that Tex-Mex comfort food. With gestational diabetes, the chips that arrive immediately, the loaded nachos on the menu, and the margarita you can't have might all feel like taunts.

But here's the thing: Chili's has a Guiltless Grill section on their menu that's practically custom-built for GD ordering. Grilled proteins, reasonable carb counts, fresh vegetables — and the regular menu has plenty of modification opportunities too. Let's break it down.

Quick-Reference: Best Chili's Orders for GD

Menu Item	Approx. Carbs	Approx. Protein	Why It Works
Classic Sirloin (Guiltless Grill) with broccoli	~8g	~45g	Highest protein, nearly zero carbs, excellent iron
Ancho Salmon (Guiltless Grill) with broccoli	~6g	~40g	Omega-3s, nearly zero carbs, 630 cal total
Margarita Grilled Chicken	~14g	~48g	High protein, moderate carbs from tomato topping
Fajitas filling (no tortillas) - Chicken	~15g	~42g	Peppers and onions add fiber; skip the tortillas
Grilled Chicken Salad (no croutons, dressing aside)	~18g	~40g	Fresh vegetables, high protein, dressing-controlled
Boneless Buffalo Chicken Salad (no crispy chicken)	~20g	~50g	Ask for grilled chicken instead, huge protein
Burger patty (no bun) with side salad	~8g	~35g	Classic bunless burger approach

The Guiltless Grill: Your Chili's GD Home Base

Chili's created their Guiltless Grill section specifically for health-conscious diners, and it's a godsend for gestational diabetes. These items are prepared with less fat and are portion-controlled:

Classic Sirloin with Grilled Avocado

At approximately 510 calories, ~8g carbs, and ~45g protein (depending on side choice), this is one of the best GD meals at any casual dining restaurant. The sirloin is lean and substantial, and grilled avocado adds monounsaturated fat that further buffers glucose absorption. Always choose steamed broccoli as your side instead of mashed potatoes or rice.

Ancho Salmon

About 630 calories, ~6g carbs, ~40g protein. The ancho chile seasoning adds flavor without sugar. Salmon provides omega-3 fatty acids important for fetal brain development, plus the protein keeps blood sugar stable. Order with steamed broccoli or seasonal vegetables.

Margarita Grilled Chicken

One of Chili's signature items — about 690 calories with ~14g carbs and ~48g protein. The tomatoes and fresh herbs on top add minimal carbs. This is a restaurant standard that the whole table will approve of, and it works beautifully for GD.

Fajitas: The GD-Friendly Way

Chili's fajitas are a fantastic GD meal — with one big caveat. The filling is excellent; the tortillas are the problem.

A typical Chili's Chicken Fajita filling (no tortilla) has about 15g carbs and 42g protein. The peppers and onions add fiber and volume. With your modifications:

• Ask for the fajita filling in a bowl — no tortillas brought to the table
• Order with a side of guacamole (adds healthy fat) and sour cream (low carb)
• Skip the flour tortillas entirely — each one has about 30g carbs
• If you want some carb, ask for 1 corn tortilla (~12g carbs) to wrap a bite or two

The Fajita Trio (chicken, steak, shrimp) is particularly good because you get variety and high protein. Ask for it as a "fajita bowl" with just the protein and vegetables.

Salads at Chili's for GD

Chili's salads can be excellent with modifications. The key issues are typically fried crispy chicken (adds breading carbs), croutons, and sweet dressings:

• Grilled Chicken Salad: About 18g carbs, 40g protein (with grilled not crispy chicken). Good base, keep dressing on the side.
• Caribbean Salad with Grilled Chicken: About 36g carbs — higher due to fruit and sweet dressing. Manageable if that's your main carb for the meal.
• Boneless Buffalo Chicken Salad (grilled, not crispy): ~20g carbs, 50g protein — ask to substitute grilled chicken for crispy to reduce carbs by 15–20g.

Always specify: "grilled, not crispy" for chicken in any salad. This alone can save 15–25g of carbs from breading.

Appetizers: Handle with Care

Most Chili's appetizers are high-carb traps. But a few work well as a shared starter or light meal:

• Guacamole (with veggies instead of chips): The guacamole itself (~8g carbs) is great. Ask for it with vegetable sticks instead of chips. Not all locations do this, but it's worth asking.
• House Salad: A simple salad before your entree helps fill you up and slows carb absorption. Ask for no croutons and dressing on the side.

Avoid: Chips & Salsa, Queso Dip, Loaded Potato Skins, Boneless Wings with sweet sauce

The Chips Situation

Chili's typically brings chips and salsa to the table automatically. With GD, you need a plan for this:

• When you sit down, tell your server: "Could you skip the chips? I'm managing my blood sugar." Most servers are understanding and won't bring them.
• Or move the chip bowl to the far end of the table, out of easy reach.
• The salsa itself (~4g carbs per quarter cup) is fine — just have it with your fajita meat instead of chips.

Items to Avoid at Chili's with GD

• Loaded Nachos — 100g+ carbs, the ultimate GD trap
• Quesadillas — 60–80g carbs from the tortillas
• Chicken Crispers — breaded chicken, high in carbs from the crust
• Molten Chocolate Cake — delicious, but not for GD dining
• Margaritas and Frozen Drinks — high in sugar; stick to water or unsweetened tea
• Loaded Mashed Potatoes as a side — always substitute broccoli or a side salad

Sample GD-Friendly Meals at Chili's

Option 1: The Guiltless Power Plate

Ancho Salmon + steamed broccoli + house salad (no croutons, dressing on side). Total: ~24g carbs, ~46g protein.

Option 2: The Fajita Bowl

Chicken Fajita filling (no tortillas, in a bowl) + guacamole + sour cream + side salad. Total: ~30g carbs, ~50g protein.

Option 3: The Sirloin Dinner

Classic Sirloin + steamed broccoli + house salad (no croutons). Total: ~22g carbs, ~49g protein.

More Restaurant Guides for Gestational Diabetes

• Complete Restaurant Dining Guide for Gestational Diabetes
• What to Order at Applebee's with Gestational Diabetes
• What to Order at Olive Garden with Gestational Diabetes
• Top 10 Bedtime Snacks for Gestational Diabetes

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or registered dietitian for personalized guidance.