Two versions of the same chicken breast — same weight, same spices — can differ by 150-200 calories purely based on how it's cooked. That's a bigger swing than most people account for when they're trying to eyeball a meal's nutrition, and it's the single biggest reason two "similar" dishes at two different places can behave completely differently in your day.
The reason comes down to how oil behaves during cooking. Grilling and steaming use little to no added fat — whatever calories are in the dish mostly come from the ingredient itself. Deep-frying, on the other hand, isn't just "adding a bit of oil" — food actively absorbs oil as it cooks, typically 8-15% of its finished weight depending on the coating and cooking time. A breaded, deep-fried piece of chicken can easily carry an extra 100-150 calories of absorbed oil compared to the same piece grilled, on top of whatever batter or coating adds in carbs.
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