Best Papa Johns Pizza Order for Fat Loss (High-Protein)

Pizza can fit your fat-loss macros, but only if the slices are doing some work for you.

At Papa Johns, the easiest lever you can pull is protein. On their menu, that usually means one thing: add chicken.

The trick is pairing that “double chicken” idea with a crust and flavor combo that doesn’t blow up calories.

Best high-protein order

Get: Medium Thin Crust Fiery Buffalo Chicken with Extra Chicken

Portion: 2 slices

Macros: 530 calories, 34g protein, 40g carbs, 26g fat

Why this works for fat loss: you’re keeping the order firmly in “pizza territory,” but you’re making the slices more filling by pushing protein up. Thin crust helps keep the carb load lower than a lot of other 2-slice combos, and the extra chicken is doing the heavy lifting.

If you want to keep it even simpler, this is the script:

• “Medium thin crust Fiery Buffalo Chicken.”
• “Add extra chicken.”
• “I’m doing 2 slices.”

Papa Johns macros for common pizza picks

Here are the Papa Johns pizza options in LeanBites that come up a lot, with the chain’s published nutrition info.

A quick read on that table:

• If you’re choosing plain cheese, it’s fine, it’s just not very protein-forward for the calories (420 calories, 16g protein for 2 slices).
• Chicken toppings are where the protein jumps, fast.
• That thin crust + extra chicken combo is the cleanest “pizza but higher-protein” move in the list.

How to order it (so you actually get the macro win)

Ordering pizza gets messy when “extra” turns into “extra everything.” Keep it boring.

Do this:

• Thin crust
• Fiery Buffalo Chicken
• Extra chicken
• Stop there

You don’t need to add a side to make it a meal. If you’re hungry after 2 slices, a better move is usually adjusting what you eat earlier in the day so those slices fit cleanly.

Swaps that keep pizza, but improve the numbers

Use these swaps when you’re staring at the menu and you want a simple nudge in the right direction.

• Instead of Medium Cheese Pizza (2 slices), get Medium BBQ Chicken & Bacon Pizza (2 slices), it adds +6g protein (16g to 22g) for +40 calories (420 to 460).
• Instead of Medium BBQ Chicken & Bacon Pizza (2 slices), get Medium Thin Crust Fiery Buffalo Chicken with Extra Chicken (2 slices), it adds +12g protein (22g to 34g) for +70 calories (460 to 530).
• Instead of Medium Garden Fresh Pizza (2 slices), get Medium Cheese Pizza (2 slices), it adds +2g protein (14g to 16g) for +20 calories (400 to 420).

And if you like the “double chicken” idea but want a different slice count:

• Instead of Medium Thin Crust Fiery Buffalo Chicken with Extra Chicken (2 slices), get Medium Gluten-Free Crust Cheese Pizza with Double Chicken (3 slices), it adds +5g protein (34g to 39g) for +10 calories (530 to 540), but you’re also committing to 3 slices, not 2.

What to skip (if fat loss is the priority)

You’re not “ruining it” if you get these, but they’re the kind of add-ons that quietly turn pizza night into a calorie pile.

• Breadsticks: 1 stick is 150 calories with 4g protein.
• Wings: Great protein, but they’re also a lot of calories and fat in one shot. For example, Buffalo Wings (8 pieces) are 970 calories with 76g protein.

If you’re doing this specifically for fat loss, your cleanest play is usually: pizza only, then a zero-cal drink.

Best sides and sauces when you want “something extra”

If you need a little more volume or flavor, keep it controlled.

Lowest-effort add-ons:

• Jalapeno Peppers (1 roll): 60 calories, 2g protein, 9g carbs, 2g fat
• Parmesan Cheese (1 packet): 15 calories, 1g protein, 0g carbs, 1g fat
• Buffalo Sauce (1 serving cup): 30 calories, 0g protein, 2g carbs, 3g fat

Drinks that don’t change the math:

• Pepsi Zero Sugar (20 oz): 0 calories
• Diet Pepsi (20 oz): 0 calories

How LeanBites helps you order pizza like this anywhere

LeanBites is an iPhone app (free to try) that scores every menu item so higher-protein, lower-calorie picks rank higher.

It’s personalized. You tell it your goal (lose fat, build muscle, maintain), activity level, cravings, and foods you don’t eat, then it sets daily calorie and macro targets, and it won’t recommend excluded foods again.

When you’re ready to order, it’s one tap to send the pick to Uber Eats or DoorDash.

Practical tip: decide your slice count before you order. For this pick, make it 2 slices, box the rest right away, and you’re done thinking about it.