How many calories are in chicken? Chicken breast, chicken legs, chicke

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Chicken breast: 289 calories

For those seeking to shed unwanted pounds, the chicken breast emerges as a culinary ally, its popularity soaring among the weight-conscious. Boasting an impressive protein payload coupled with a modest fat profile, this lean cut of poultry presents itself as an ideal choice, seamlessly aligning with the pursuit of a trimmer physique and a healthier lifestyle.

One serving of skinless, boneless, cooked chicken breast (174 g) has the following nutritional facts [1]:

Calories: 289
Protein: 55.9 grams
Carbohydrates: 0 g
Fat: 5.64g

A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of chicken breast provides 166 calories, 32.1 grams of protein, and 3.24 grams of fat.

This means that approximately 80% of the calories in chicken breast come from protein and 20% from fat.

The nutritional values mentioned pertain to the unadulterated form of chicken breasts, untouched by additional ingredients or culinary embellishments. However, the moment one ventures into the realm of cooking with oils, marinating in flavorful concoctions, or adorning the poultry with savory sauces, the caloric, carbohydrate, and fat content undergo a transformative escalation, potentially altering the dietary profile of the dish.

How many calories in chicken? Chicken Breast Meat, chicken legs, chicken wings, etc.

Chicken thighs: 108 calories

Owing to their higher fat content, chicken thighs boast a more tender texture and a richer, more flavorful taste compared to chicken breasts.

One medium skinless, boneless, cooked chicken thighs (52 g) contains [2]:

Calories: 108
Protein: 13.4 grams
Carbohydrates: 0 g
Fat: 5.6 grams

A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of chicken thighs provides 207 calories, 25.7 grams of protein, and 10.8 grams of fat.

So, 51% of calories come from protein and 49% from fat.

Chicken wings: 40 calories

While chicken wings may not immediately spring to mind as a paragon of dietary virtue, these oft-overlooked morsels can, in fact, seamlessly integrate into a balanced and wholesome regimen. Provided they are devoid of breading, sauces, or the indulgence of deep-frying, chicken wings can shed their indulgent reputation and emerge as a lean and nutrient-dense culinary delight, worthy of gracing even the most discerning of health-conscious plates.

One medium skinless and boneless chicken wing (21 g) contains [3]:

Calories: 40
Protein: 6 grams
Carbohydrates: 0 g
Fat: 1.6 grams

Per 3.5 ounces (100 grams), chicken wings provide 201 calories, 30.2 grams of protein, and 8.1 grams of fat.

This means 62% of the calories come from protein and 38% from fat.

How many calories in chicken? Chicken Breasts Meat, chicken legs, chicken wings, etc.

Chicken drumstick: 72 calories

The chicken drumstick combines the succulent thigh and elongated drumstick, known as the chicken drumstick.

One medium skinless and boneless chicken drumstick contains [4]:

Calories: 72
Protein: 11.8 grams
Carbohydrates: 0 g
Fat: 2.4 grams

Chicken drumstick contain 171 calories, 28.1 grams of protein, and 5.6 grams of fat per 3.5 oz (100 g) serving.

When it comes to calorie count, approximately 69% comes from protein and 31% comes from fat.

Other cuts of chicken

While chicken breasts, drumsticks, wings, and chicken drumstick are the most popular cuts of chicken, there are several others to choose from.

Here are the calories for some other chicken parts:

Chicken Tenderloins:98 calories per 3.5 oz (100 g) [5]
Chicken Back:298 calories per 3.5 oz (100 g) [6]
Chicken livers:167 calories per 3.5 oz (100 g) [7]
Chicken Gibles:239 calories per 3.5 oz (100 g) [8]

Chicken skin adds calories

While skinless chicken breast contains 289 calories and is 80% protein and 20% fat, those numbers change dramatically when you include the skin.

A medium boneless, skin-on cooked chicken breast contains [9]:

Calories: 382
Protein: 57.9 grams
Fat: 15.1g

In skin-on chicken breast, 63% of calories come from protein and 37% come from fat. In addition, eating the skin will increase calories.

Similarly, a medium skin-on chicken wing contains 92 calories, while a medium skinless chicken wing contains 40 calories. Therefore, 62% of calories in skin-on wings come from fat [10], compared to 38% in skinless wings.

For those who want to lose weight or reduce their fat intake, it's wise to savor the tender, delicious taste of chicken without the crispy skin. By choosing chicken with the skin removed, you can seriously reduce your caloric intake and fat absorption.

How to cook chicken is important

Chicken itself is relatively low in calories and fat compared to other meats. While adding oil, sauceandbatter can significantly enhance the flavor of chicken, these delicious additions can also result in a significant increase in caloric intake.

For example, skinless, boneless, cooked chicken legs contain 108 calories and 5.6 grams of fat.

But skinless chicken drumsticks, also fried in batter, contain 113 calories and 5.4 grams of fat. Fried chicken drumsticks with skin even contain 162 calories and 9.3 grams of fat [11].

Therefore, cooking methods that add small amounts of fat, such as poaching, roasting, grilling, and steaming, are the best options for keeping calorie counts low.

cooking chicken meat

Summary

Chicken is a popular meat, and most cuts are low in calories and fat while providing plenty of protein. Be aware that eating chicken skin or using unhealthy cooking methods can increase calories.

Reference article

[1] FoodData Central. (n.d.-b). https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/331960/nutrients

[2] FatSecret. (n.d.-b). Calories in 1 medium Chicken Thigh (Skin Not Eaten) and Nutrition Facts. https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/chicken-thigh-skin-not-eaten?portionid=6404&portionamount=1.000

[3] FatSecret. (n.d.-c). FatSecret. (n.d.-d). Calories in 1 medium Chicken Wing (Skin Not Eaten) and Nutrition Facts. https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/chicken-wing-skin-not-eaten?portionid=5827&portionamount=1.000

[4] FatSecret. (n.d.-a). Calories in 1 medium Chicken Drumstick (Skin Not Eaten) and Nutrition Facts. https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/chicken-drumstick-skin-not-eaten?portionid=4955&portionamount=1.000

[5] FoodData Central. (n.d.-c). https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/887454/nutrients

[6] FatSecret. (n.d.-e). Calories in 100 g of Chicken Back and Nutrition Facts. https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/chicken-back?portionid=50408&portionamount=100.000

[7] FatSecret. (n.d.-g). Calories in chicken liver (Simmered, Cooked) and nutrition facts. https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/usda/chicken-liver-(simmered-cooked)

[8] FatSecret. (n.d.-g). Calories in chicken giblets (Roasting, simmered, cooked) and nutrition facts. https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/usda/chicken-giblets-(roasting-simmered-cooked)

[9] FatSecret. (n.d.-e). Calories in 1/2 medium Chicken Breast and Nutrition Facts. https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/chicken-breast-ns-as-to-skin-eaten?portionid=5035&portionamount=0.500

[10] FatSecret. (n.d.-d). Calories in 1 medium Chicken Wing (Skin Eaten) and Nutrition Facts. https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/chicken-wing-skin-eaten?portionid=5269&portionamount=1.000

[11] FatSecret. (n.d.-g). Calories in 1 thigh, bone removed of Chicken Thigh Meat and Skin (Broilers or Fryers, Flour, Fried, Cooked) and Nutrition Facts. https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/usda/chicken-thigh-meat-and-skin-(broilers-or-fryers-flour-fried-cooked)?portionid=31041&portionamount=1.000