What’s on Chili’s Lunch Menu in 2026?
Chili’s lunch menu features the 3 For Me combo starting at $10.99, available daily (hours vary by location, typically 11 a.m.–4 p.m.). The menu includes burgers, Chicken Crispers, Tex-Mex plates, pasta, salads, and soups. Most locations offer dine-in, To-Go, and delivery options through the Chili’s app.
Chili’s Lunch Menu at a Glance
|
Category |
Standout Item |
Approx. Price |
Calories |
|
3 For Me Combo |
Chicken Crispers Combo |
From $10.99 |
~900–1,200 |
|
Burgers |
Oldtimer Burger |
~$11–$13 |
~860 |
|
Chicken |
Crispy Chicken Sandwich |
~$12 |
~780 |
|
Tex-Mex |
Fajitas (Chicken) |
~$15 |
~530 |
|
Pasta |
Cajun Chicken Pasta |
~$14 |
~1,360 |
|
Salads |
Santa Fe Chicken Salad |
~$12 |
~590 |
|
Soups |
Chicken Enchilada Soup |
~$5–$6 |
~220 per bowl |
Prices vary by location and are estimates based on national averages.
What Are Chili’s Lunch Hours, and Can You Miss Them?
Chili’s lunch hours are generally 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Sunday at most locations. The 3 For Me combo and any location-specific lunch specials are typically available during this window only. Always confirm with your local Chili’s, as hours can vary.
This is one of the most common points of confusion and one that most competitor guides gloss over. A few things to know:
- Lunch specials end at 4 p.m. If you arrive at 3:58 p.m., you’re cutting it close.
- The full menu is available all day. You can order a burger or fajitas after 4 p.m.; you’ll just pay full price.
- Some locations open at 10:30 a.m., especially those near business districts or airports.
- Weekend hours may differ. Saturday and Sunday service sometimes starts later or skips the lunch-special pricing entirely, call ahead.
Pro tip: Use Chili’s app to check your nearest location’s hours before you leave the house.
What Is the 3 For Me Lunch Combo and Is It Worth It?
The Chili’s 3 For Me combo includes a non-alcoholic drink, a starter (such as chips and salsa or soup), and an entrée. It starts at $10.99 and is widely considered the best value on the Chili’s lunch menu, offering three full-sized components for roughly the price of one entrée elsewhere.
Here’s how the tiers break down:
|
Tier |
Includes |
Price (approx.) |
|
Base |
Drink + chips & salsa + select entrée |
~$10.99 |
|
Mid |
Drink + soup or salad + Chicken Crispers or Burger |
~$12.99 |
|
Premium |
Drink + loaded starter + steak or shrimp entrée |
~$14.99–$16.99 |
What makes the 3 For Me smart:
- You get a starter, so you’re not paying extra for chips or soup.
- The entrée portions are full-sized, not a shrunk-down “lunch portion.”
- Pairing it with water or lemonade keeps the total under $12 before tax.
Where it falls short:
- Customization is limited to the preset tiers.
- Premium upgrades (like adding avocado or swapping sides) cost extra.
- Not every menu item qualifies for the combo.
Chili’s Lunch Favorites Full Menu Breakdown
What Are the Best Burgers for Lunch at Chili’s?
Chili’s burgers are full-sized at lunch—no scaled-down versions here. The most popular lunch-friendly picks:
- Oldtimer Burger — A no-frills beef patty with mustard, pickles, onions, and ketchup. Approx. 860 calories, ~$11.
- Bacon Rancher Burger — Cheddar, ranch, and thick-cut bacon. Approx. 1,050 calories, ~$13.
- Mushroom Swiss Burger — Sautéed mushrooms and Swiss cheese. Approx. 910 calories.
All burgers come with fries unless swapped for a side salad (add ~$1).
What Are Chili’s Chicken Crispers Combos, and Why Are They Popular?
Chicken Crispers are Chili’s signature item, hand-battered chicken tenders with a notably crunchy coating. At lunch, they pair well with the 3 For Me structure.
|
Option |
Sauce/Style |
Calories (approx.) |
|
Classic Crispers |
Honey-chipotle |
~1,150 |
|
Buffalo Crispers |
Buffalo sauce |
~1,050 |
|
Crispy Chicken Sandwich |
Brioche bun + pickles |
~780 |
Why they’re popular at lunch: The Crispers are fast to prepare, consistently good across locations, and available in kid-friendly sizes, making them a reliable midday order.
What Tex-Mex Lunch Plates Do Chili’s Offer?
Chili’s Tex-Mex options are where the brand’s roots show most clearly.
- Chicken Fajitas — Sizzling skillet, peppers and onions, flour tortillas, sour cream, guac, pico. Approx. 530 calories (without tortillas), ~$15.
- Enchilada Plate — Two enchiladas, Mexican rice, and black beans. Approx. 1,010 calories, ~$12.
- Classic Nachos — Can be ordered as a starter under the 3 For Me or as a shareable entrée at lunch.
Is Chili’s Pasta Worth Ordering at Lunch?
One option dominates:
- Cajun Chicken Pasta — Grilled chicken, spicy Alfredo, tomatoes, and green onions over penne with garlic toast. Approx. 1,360 calories, ~$14.
It’s rich, filling, and genuinely good but the calorie count is high for a midday meal. Best ordered if you’re not eating again until late evening or splitting with someone.
The shrimp variation adds grilled shrimp for ~$2 more.
What Are the Lightest Lunch Options at Chili’s?
For diners keeping an eye on calories, Chili’s offers a few solid lighter options:
- Santa Fe Chicken Salad — Mixed greens, corn, black beans, grilled chicken, pico, avocado, and cilantro-lime dressing. Approx. 590 calories.
- House Salad (as a starter) — ~110 calories; pairs well with a lighter entrée in the 3 For Me combo.
- Chicken Enchilada Soup — Rich and savory, approx. 220 calories per bowl.
- Sweet Corn Soup — A lighter option at approx. 180 calories per bowl.
What Should You Order at Chili’s Lunch Based on Your Goal?
If You Want the Cheapest Real Meal Under $11
Order: 3 For Me combo at the base tier (~$10.99) — Chips & salsa starter + water + a qualifying entrée like the Crispy Chicken Sandwich or Enchilada Plate. Skip the premium upgrades.
If You’re Eating Light (Under 700 Calories)
Order: Santa Fe Chicken Salad (~590 cal) with the dressing on the side, plus a bowl of Chicken Enchilada Soup (~220 cal) as a starter. Total: ~810 cal or sub the soup for a house salad to stay under 700.
If You Want the Most Protein for the Price
Order: Chicken Crispers combo via the 3 For Me. Crispers pack ~40–50g of protein per serving depending on count, and the combo price keeps cost efficient. Add a bowl of chili as your starter for extra protein.
If You Have 30 Minutes or Less
Order: To-Go via the Chili’s app before you leave. Crispers and burgers are among the fastest to prepare. Most To-Go orders are ready in 15–20 minutes. Avoid fajitas for to-go, they lose quality fast.
If You Want Spice
Order: Buffalo Chicken Crispers + Chicken Enchilada Soup starter + Cajun Chicken Pasta if you’re going all-in. The Enchilada Soup has a slow heat; the Buffalo Crispers hit quickly.
What Should You Skip at Chili’s Lunch?
- Loaded Nachos as a solo lunch entrée — High calorie (~1,200+), low protein ratio.
- Cajun Pasta if you’re calorie-watching — At 1,360 calories, it’s essentially two meals.
- Fountain sodas with the 3 For Me — The cost is rolled into the combo, but adding sugary drinks adds calories without value. Opt for water or unsweet tea.
- Premium upgrades you won’t notice — Adding guac or queso to a burger sounds good but adds $1–$2 and often goes unnoticed in the overall flavor.
How Can You Save the Most Money on Chili’s Lunch?
You don’t need to do much to save, Chili’s builds value into the lunch experience but here’s how to stack it:
|
Strategy |
Savings Potential |
|
Order the 3 For Me combo |
Save ~$4–$7 vs. ordering à la carte |
|
Use the Chili’s app (My Chili’s Rewards) |
Earn points on every purchase; free apps after milestones |
|
Order water or unsweet tea |
Save ~$2–$3 vs. specialty drinks |
|
Check the app for limited-time offers |
Occasional BOGO or discount codes |
|
Go Monday–Friday |
Some locations run weekday-only pricing on combos |
Loyalty program note: Chili’s My Rewards program earns you points per dollar spent. After enough visits, you unlock free chips & salsa, free appetizers, and desserts all of which make the next lunch cheaper.
How Do You Order Chili’s Lunch – Dine-In, To-Go, or Delivery?
All three options are available at most locations, but they’re not equal in every situation.
Dine-In
- Best for the full experience, sizzling fajitas, fresh chips, fast drink refills.
- You can confirm 3 For Me eligibility and customize freely.
- Average wait time for food: 12–18 minutes.
To-Go (Curbside)
- Order via the Chili’s app or website.
- Most orders are ready in 15–20 minutes.
- Best for: Crispers, burgers, soups, salads.
- Not ideal for: Fajitas (the sizzle is lost; the tortillas steam and go soft).
Delivery (via DoorDash, Uber Eats, or the Chili’s app)
- Available at most locations.
- Delivery fees apply (~$2–$5 through the Chili’s app; higher on third-party platforms).
- Prices on third-party apps are sometimes marked up 10–15% vs. dine-in.
- Use Chili’s app directly for the best delivery pricing.
What Are the Calorie and Nutrition Facts for Chili’s Lunch?
Chili’s posts full nutrition data on its website. Here’s a condensed reference:
|
Item |
Calories |
Protein |
Sodium (mg) |
|
Chicken Crispers (4 pc) |
~1,150 |
~47g |
~2,600 |
|
Cajun Chicken Pasta |
~1,360 |
~46g |
~3,100 |
|
Santa Fe Chicken Salad |
~590 |
~34g |
~1,280 |
|
Chicken Fajitas (no tortillas) |
~530 |
~38g |
~1,740 |
|
Oldtimer Burger |
~860 |
~42g |
~1,400 |
|
Chicken Enchilada Soup (bowl) |
~220 |
~11g |
~1,010 |
Key takeaway: Chili’s lunch portions are full-sized, which means sodium counts tend to run high across the board. If you’re watching sodium intake, the Santa Fe Salad (with dressing on the side) and the Chicken Fajitas (without tortillas) are the two most manageable options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Chili’s lunch start and end?
Chili’s lunch typically starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Most locations follow this schedule daily, though hours can vary. Confirm with your local Chili’s, especially on weekends.
How much does the Chili’s 3 For Me combo cost in 2026?
The 3 For Me combo starts at approximately $10.99 for the base tier. Mid and premium tiers range from $12.99 to $16.99 depending on entrée selection and location.
Does Chili’s offer a dedicated lunch menu or just the regular menu?
Chili’s does not maintain a fully separate lunch-only menu in 2026. The 3 For Me combo is the primary lunch-specific deal. The full regular menu is available all day.
What is the lowest-calorie item on Chili’s lunch menu?
The Chicken Enchilada Soup (bowl) at approximately 220 calories is one of the lowest-calorie options. The House Salad starter is also around 110 calories before dressing.
Is the Chili’s 3 For Me combo available on weekends?
At most locations, yes. However, a small number of locations restrict the combo to weekday lunch hours (Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.). Check the Chili’s app or call your location to confirm.
What is the highest-protein lunch option at Chili’s?
Chicken Crispers (4-piece) provide approximately 47g of protein. Chicken Fajitas offer around 38g of protein and are lower in calories, making them a strong protein-per-calorie pick.
Can you order Chili’s lunch via the app and earn rewards points?
Yes. Orders placed through the Chili’s app using a My Chili’s Rewards account earn points on every dollar spent, including lunch combo orders.
How long does a Chili’s To-Go lunch order take?
Most Chili’s To-Go orders are ready in 15–20 minutes when placed through the app. Ordering ahead is recommended during peak lunch hours (12 p.m.–1:30 p.m.) to avoid delays.