Low in fat but packed with protein, chicken breast is an excellent choice for weight loss and a healthy diet.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), one 120g serving of boneless, skinless chicken breast has 193 calories, with 36 grams of protein, 4 grams of fat, and zero carbs.
“As long as you’re eating the breast meat, chicken is considered a lean meat,” says Emily Tills, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N. “Chicken is a great protein option — lean, cheap, and readily available.”
When it comes to chicken breast, calories and nutritional content will depend on how you cook it and whether or not you eat the skin (which contains a good deal of fat).
Poaching, baking, roasting, and broiling boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the healthiest options; frying even boneless, skinless breasts in oil, can add significant calories and fat.
Read on for a caloric breakdown of the different preparations of chicken breasts, wings, and thighs.
1 medium breast, boneless with skin (130g): 250 calories, 34 grams protein, 11 grams fat
1 medium breast, boneless, skinless, and no coating (120g): 211 calories, 36 grams protein, 7 grams fat
Not all parts of the chicken are created equal nutritionally. Chicken wings can really rack up the fat and calories.
Wings offer just over 1 ounce of meat, so the difference between a single baked and fried wing is small (but who eats just one)?
The differences will add up depending on how many wings you consume in a single sitting, so baking is your best bet
Chicken thighs are juicier but also more caloric than chicken breast. If you choose this part of the chicken, we recommend baking.
1 large thigh, with skin (105 g): 243 calories, 24 grams protein, 15 grams fat
1 large thigh, skinless (90g): 160 calories, 22 grams protein, 7 grams fat
1 small thigh, with skin (100 g): 271 calories, 19 grams protein, 19 grams fat
1 medium thigh, skinless (100 g): 230 calories, 20 grams protein, 14 grams fat
|
Amount Per 1 cup, chopped or diced (140 g)
|
| Calories 231 |
1 medium breast, boneless, skinless, and no coating (120g): 211 calories, 36 grams protein, 7 grams fat
Chicken thighs are juicier but also more caloric than chicken breast. If you choose this part of the chicken, we recommend baking.
Wings offer just over 1 ounce of meat, so the difference between a single baked and fried wing is small (but who eats just one)?
1 medium thigh, skinless (100 g): 230 calories, 20 grams protein, 14 grams fat
The differences will add up depending on how many wings you consume in a single sitting, so baking is your best bet
FAQ
How many calories are in a pound of boneless skinless chicken breast?
How many calories are in a pound of cooked chicken breast?
How much is a 1lb of chicken breast?
How many calories are in a 16 oz chicken breast?
