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FLAGSHIP MACRO GUIDE · USDA FOODDATA CENTRAL VERIFIED
FDC 171477 & 172388

How Many Calories in Chicken? Breast, Thigh, Wing & Cut Macro Guide

The calorie and macronutrient profile of chicken varies dramatically depending on the anatomical cut, whether the skin is retained, and how it is cooked. Per 100g (3.5 oz) of cooked, skinless roasted meat: Chicken Breast delivers 165 kcal and 31.0g protein; Chicken Thigh delivers 179 kcal and 24.8g protein; Chicken Drumsticks deliver 155 kcal and 23.9g protein; and Chicken Wings (meat + skin) deliver 254 kcal and 23.8g protein. Use our real-time USDA calculator below to customize cut, portion size, and cooking method for precise daily food logging.

Leanest Cut (Breast)
165 kcal

31.0g protein · 3.6g fat per 100g

Juiciest Cut (Thigh)
179 kcal

24.8g protein · 8.2g fat per 100g

Skin Calorie Multiplier
+19% to +75%

Skin is 55% fat · adds 60–90 kcal

Cooking Moisture Loss
~25% Tare

133g raw cooks down to 100g cooked

Real-Time Macro EngineCustom portions: 100g, 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz & pieces
Raw vs Cooked Tare MathFix the #1 logging error on MyFitnessPal
Goal-Based Cut SelectionBest cuts for cutting, muscle bulking & keto
Real-Time Nutrition Calculator

Interactive Multi-Cut Chicken Macro Engine

Select cut, skin status, cooking method, and exact weight to calculate calories, protein, and macronutrient breakdowns instantly.

Quick:
Tare Math Conversion: 100g cooked requires approx. 133g raw meat (+33% tare math).
Calculated Nutrition Totals
Chicken Breast · Skinless · cooked
Total Energy
165 kcal

For 100 g (100g) portion

Protein-to-Calorie Ratio75% Protein Calories
Protein Fat
Protein
31g
124 kcal
Total Fat
3.6g
1g sat fat
Carbohydrates
0g
Zero carbs
Key Micronutrients in this PortionUSDA FDC #171477
Sodium74 mg
Potassium256 mg
Iron1 mg
Pull Temp160°F
Chef Recommendation: 2-Zone Grilling, Sous-Vide, or Gentle Poaching. Lean, clean, firm grain. Vulnerable to stringy dryness if cooked past 165°F.
Anatomy & Visual Cut Profiles

Visual Chicken Cut Gallery: Anatomy, Fibers & Calories

Not all chicken meat behaves identically in the body. Understand the anatomical origins, muscle fiber types (Type IIb fast-twitch white vs. Type I slow-twitch dark), and baseline calorie profiles across every primary cut.

Chicken Breast
White Meat

Chicken Breast

FDC #171477

Pectoralis major muscle covering the ventral chest. Dense, uniform white muscle fiber matrix.

Skinless (100g cooked):165 kcal (31.02g P)
Skin-On (100g cooked):197 kcal (7.78g F)
Ideal Cooking & Pull Temp

2-Zone Grilling, Sous-Vide, or Gentle Poaching

Target Pull: 160°F (71°C) with 5-minute carryover rest to 165°F

Best For:Ideal for Aggressive Fat Loss, Caloric Deficits & High-Protein Cutting
Chicken Thigh
Dark Meat

Chicken Thigh

FDC #172388

Upper pelvic limb segment attached to hip. Rich in connective collagen and blood vessels.

Skinless (100g cooked):179 kcal (24.84g P)
Skin-On (100g cooked):232 kcal (14.54g F)
Inedible Bone Tare:~21% of raw weight
Ideal Cooking & Pull Temp

Oven-Roasting, Braising, Stewing, or Cast-Iron Sear

Target Pull: 175°F–185°F (80°C–85°C) to break tough collagen into rich gelatin

Best For:Ideal for Keto, Low-Carb, Muscle Hypertrophy & Budget Meal Prep
Chicken Drumstick
Dark Meat

Chicken Drumstick

FDC #172387

Lower leg portion below knee joint (tibia and fibula). Supported by strong collagenous tendon sheaths.

Skinless (100g cooked):155 kcal (23.9g P)
Skin-On (100g cooked):216 kcal (11.2g F)
Inedible Bone Tare:~33% of raw weight
Ideal Cooking & Pull Temp

Smoking, Oven Roasting, or Air-Frying

Target Pull: 180°F–185°F (82°C–85°C) to soften heavy leg tendons

Best For:Excellent for Budget Protein, Family Dinners & Dark-Meat Lovers
Chicken Wings (Flats & Drumettes)
White Meat

Chicken Wings (Flats & Drumettes)

FDC #171056

Three-segment forelimb (drumette, flat/wingette, and wingtip). Highest skin-to-meat surface area ratio.

Skinless (100g cooked):145 kcal (30.5g P)
Skin-On (100g cooked):254 kcal (16.91g F)
Inedible Bone Tare:~46% of raw weight
Ideal Cooking & Pull Temp

Convection Air-Frying, Deep Frying, or Smoked & Grilled

Target Pull: 180°F–190°F (82°C–88°C) to render wing skin fat completely

Best For:Ideal for Game Day, Social Feasts & High-Fat Ketogenic Diets
Chicken Tenderloin (Tenders)
White Meat

Chicken Tenderloin (Tenders)

FDC #171477

Pectoralis minor muscle located directly beneath breast along the breastbone. Naturally tender without exercise stress.

Skinless (100g cooked):158 kcal (32.1g P)
Skin-On (100g cooked):158 kcal (2.8g F)
Ideal Cooking & Pull Temp

Quick Pan-Sear, Air-Frying, or Skewer Grilling

Target Pull: 160°F (71°C) with 3-minute carryover rest

Best For:Supreme for Quick High-Protein Meal Prep, Salads & Strict Calorie Deficits
Whole Chicken (Weighted Average)
Mixed Meat

Whole Chicken (Weighted Average)

FDC #171142

Natural balance of light breast meat (60%) and dark leg/thigh meat (40%).

Skinless (100g cooked):172 kcal (28.5g P)
Skin-On (100g cooked):215 kcal (12g F)
Inedible Bone Tare:~32% of raw weight
Ideal Cooking & Pull Temp

Spatchcock Roasting, Rotisserie, or Dutch Oven Braising

Target Pull: 160°F breast / 175°F thigh

Best For:Most Cost-Effective Whole-Food Protein in the Grocery Store
Master USDA Reference Table

Comprehensive Chicken Calorie & Macro Matrix

USDA-verified nutritional data comparing 100g cooked baseline, skin-on vs skinless impact, and standard imperial meal portions (4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz).

Sort:
Chicken CutSkinless (100g)Skin-On (100g)Protein (100g)Fat (100g)4 oz Portion6 oz Portion8 oz Portion
Chicken Wings (Flats & Drumettes)White Fiber Matrix145 kcal254 kcal30.5g2.5g164 kcal247 kcal329 kcal
Chicken DrumstickDark Fiber Matrix155 kcal216 kcal23.9g5.7g175 kcal264 kcal352 kcal
Chicken Tenderloin (Tenders)White Fiber Matrix158 kcal158 kcal32.1g2.8g179 kcal269 kcal359 kcal
Chicken BreastWhite Fiber Matrix165 kcal197 kcal31.02g3.57g186 kcal281 kcal375 kcal
Whole Chicken (Weighted Average)Mixed Fiber Matrix172 kcal215 kcal28.5g5.9g194 kcal292 kcal390 kcal
Chicken ThighDark Fiber Matrix179 kcal232 kcal24.84g8.24g202 kcal304 kcal406 kcal
*All values based on cooked, roasted poultry without added oils or sauces. Source: USDA SR Legacy.FDC 171477, 172388, 171119
Fat Depots & Thermal Processing

The Skin Factor & Cooking Method Multiplier

Why two people eating "100g of chicken" can log anywhere from 165 calories to 290 calories. Discover how subcutaneous fat layers and culinary heat transfer dictate final macros.

The Anatomy of Chicken Skin: Subcutaneous Lipid Storage

Skin = 55% Fat · 35% Water · 10% Collagen

Unlike mammalian red meat where fat is heavily marbled inside the muscle fibers, poultry stores roughly 80% of its fat subcutaneously (directly under the dermal skin layer). Removing the skin physically eliminates the vast majority of dietary saturated and monounsaturated lipids before ingestion.

Chicken Breast+19%
165vs197kcal/100g

Relatively low skin-to-meat ratio. Pectoralis muscle is thick, so skin only covers one superficial side.

Chicken Thigh+30%
179vs232kcal/100g

Higher subcutaneous fat layer under thigh skin. Essential for keeping dark meat luscious during high-heat roasting.

Chicken Wings+75%
145vs254kcal/100g

Highest surface-area-to-meat ratio in the bird. Wings are almost entirely skin and bone, yielding a dramatic fat load.

Chicken Drumstick+39%
155vs216kcal/100g

Skin wraps 360 degrees around the tibia bone with underlying yellow fat pads around the ankle joint.

How 6 Cooking Methods Alter Calories, Fat & Carbs (Per 100g Cooked Breast)

Oven-Roasted / Baked

Baseline Clean
165 kcal/ 100g

Dry convection heat. Natural fat renders into pan drippings without oil immersion.

Mechanism: Maintains baseline USDA nutrient profile. Pan drippings capture rendered lipids.

Charbroiled / Grilled

Leanest Finish
160 kcal/ 100g

Direct radiant heat over open grates. Rendered fat drains away into coals.

Mechanism: Slightly leaner than oven roasting because rendered fat drains off grates.

Poached / Boiled

Zero Added Fat
165 kcal/ 100g

Submerged in simmering broth or water. 100% moisture retention with zero oil.

Mechanism: Ideal for shredding in meal prep. Minimal lipid oxidation.

Air-Fried (Light Oil Spray)

High Crisp / Low Cal
170 kcal/ 100g

High-velocity convection air with a light mist of avocado or olive oil spray.

Mechanism: Delivers 90% of deep-fried crispness with less than 1g of added surface oil.

Pan-Seared in Olive Oil

+50 kcal Added Fat
215 kcal/ 100g

Cooked in skillet with 1–2 teaspoons of cooking oil absorbed during searing.

Mechanism: Enhances surface Maillard browning; adds beneficial monounsaturated fats.

Deep-Fried & Flour-Battered

+95 kcal & +11g Carbs
260 kcal/ 100g

Coated in flour or buttermilk batter and submerged in 350°F oil.

Mechanism: Starch crust absorbs frying oil, substantially increasing total calorie and fat load.
Food Logging Science & Tare Protocol

The Raw vs. Cooked Weight Trap: Fix the #1 Logging Error

Why millions of fitness enthusiasts accidentally stall their fat loss on MyFitnessPal and Cronometer: confusing raw scale weight with cooked scale weight.

Interactive Tare Weight Converter

Equivalent Raw Purchase Weight
200 grams (7.1 oz)

To eat 150g of cooked chicken breast, weigh out 200g raw on your food scale.

The 70-Calorie Tracking Blindspot

If you plate 200g of cooked chicken breast but select "Raw Chicken Breast" in MyFitnessPal, you record 240 kcal instead of the true 330 kcal. An unrecorded 90-calorie gap across 2 meals daily creates an unaccounted 1,260 surplus weekly — completely stalling fat loss.

Standard Portion Equivalence Table (Chicken Breast)

Raw WeightCooked Yield (-25%)Actual CaloriesActual ProteinTypical Serving
100g (3.5 oz)75g (2.6 oz)~124 kcal23.3gSmall Snack
133g (4.7 oz)100g (3.5 oz)~165 kcal31.0gStandard 100g Plate
200g (7.1 oz)150g (5.3 oz)~248 kcal46.5gHealthy Meal Cutlet
267g (9.4 oz)200g (7.1 oz)~330 kcal62.0gBodybuilder Dinner
454g (16.0 oz)340g (12.0 oz)~561 kcal105.4g1 lb Whole Pack
*Note: Water evaporates during cooking, but macronutrients (protein, amino acids, and minerals) remain virtually intact. As a result, cooked chicken is always more concentrated in protein and calories per 100 grams than raw chicken.
Dietary Protocol Optimization

Which Chicken Cut Fits Your Lifestyle Goal?

There is no universal "best" chicken cut. Choose the optimal cut based on your metabolic phase: cutting body fat, packing on muscle mass, sustaining ketosis, or managing household grocery budgets.

Max Satiety / Lowest Calories

Aggressive Fat Loss & Cutting

Recommended Cut: Skinless Chicken Breast & Tenderloins
158–165 kcal / 100g (31–32g protein, <3.5g fat)

With 75%–80% of calories derived directly from complete protein, skinless breast triggers maximum peptide YY and GLP-1 satiety hormone release while utilizing 20%–30% of its energy via the Thermic Effect of Food (TEF).

Cook via poaching, grilling, or light air-frying
Avoid creamy sauces; season with herbs, citrus, and hot sauces
Weigh cooked portions to maintain strict deficit targets
Caloric Surplus & Recovery

Muscle Hypertrophy & Hardgainer Bulking

Recommended Cut: Boneless Skinless Thighs & Breast Mix
179–200 kcal / 100g (25g protein, 8–10g fat)

Athletes struggling to eat enough clean calories benefit from dark thigh meat. The higher fat density enables caloric surplus without gastrointestinal bloat, while delivering twice the zinc and iron for hormonal recovery.

Alternate 50% breast (lean protein) with 50% thighs (energy density)
Delivers over 2.5g leucine per standard 150g serving to trigger mTOR
Pair with jasmine rice, sweet potatoes, and avocado
High Healthy Fat / Zero Carb

Ketogenic & Zero-Carb Lifestyle

Recommended Cut: Skin-On Thighs, Drumsticks & Wings
232–254 kcal / 100g (23–24g protein, 14–17g fat)

Ketosis demands moderate protein and high dietary fat. Skin-on dark cuts provide zero carbohydrates with rich monounsaturated oleic acid (the same lipid in extra virgin olive oil), sustaining stable blood ketone levels.

Retain 100% of crispy roasted or air-fried skin
Baste in grass-fed butter, ghee, or garlic avocado oil
Zero impact on post-prandial blood glucose or insulin spikes
Lowest Cost per Gram Protein

Budget Meal Prep & Grocery Economics

Recommended Cut: Whole Roaster Birds & Bone-In Thighs
$0.65–$0.90 per 30g Protein (vs $1.40 for pre-cut breast)

Purchasing whole chickens or bone-in leg quarters cuts grocery protein expenses by up to 50%. The bones, cartilage, and backs can be simmered into gelatin-rich, anti-inflammatory bone broth, capturing 100% of carcass value.

Buy family-pack bone-in thighs at $1.49–$1.99/lb
Spatchcock whole chickens for 45-minute family batch roasting
Freeze leftover bones to make homemade mineral-rich bone broth
Micronutrient Density Breakdown

Beyond Calories: The White vs. Dark Meat Micronutrient Split

While chicken breast dominates calorie and protein efficiency, chicken thighs and dark cuts dominate mineral bioavailability. See which cut provides the specific vitamins and minerals your body needs.

MicronutrientChicken Breast (100g)Chicken Thigh (100g)Dominant CutBiological Function
Niacin (Vitamin B3)13.7 mg (86% DV)6.5 mg (41% DV)Breast (+110%)Vital coenzyme for converting macronutrients into cellular ATP energy and supporting DNA repair.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)0.60 mg (35% DV)0.35 mg (21% DV)Breast (+71%)Required for amino acid metabolism, red blood cell synthesis, and dopamine/serotonin creation.
Bioavailable Iron (Heme)1.04 mg (6% DV)1.33 mg (8% DV)Thigh (+28%)Essential component of hemoglobin and myoglobin, delivering oxygen directly to working muscle fibers.
Zinc1.00 mg (9% DV)2.37 mg (22% DV)Thigh (+137%)Crucial trace mineral for immune defense, cellular division, testosterone production, and wound healing.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)0.34 mcg (14% DV)0.49 mcg (20% DV)Thigh (+44%)Maintains myelin sheaths protecting nerve cells and prevents megaloblastic anemia.
Potassium256 mg (5% DV)238 mg (5% DV)Breast (+8%)Primary intracellular electrolyte balancing fluid pressure, reducing cramping, and buffering sodium.
The Balanced Protocol: Combine 60% chicken breast (for lean protein & B3) with 40% chicken thigh (for zinc, iron & collagen).
USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy
Authoritative Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Calories in Chicken

Evidence-backed answers to the most common nutritional questions regarding chicken cuts, cooking methods, and dietary logging.

Per 100g of cooked, skinless, plain roasted meat: Chicken Breast contains 165 calories (31.0g protein, 3.6g fat); Chicken Thigh contains 179 calories (24.8g protein, 8.2g fat); Chicken Drumstick contains 155 calories (23.9g protein, 5.7g fat); Chicken Wing (meat only) contains 145 calories (30.5g protein, 2.5g fat). If eaten with skin, wings jump to 254 calories and thighs to 232 calories per 100g due to high subcutaneous fat concentrations.
Peer-Reviewed Science & Federal Standards

Scientific Citations & USDA FoodData Central References

All nutritional values, raw-to-cooked yield conversions, and lipid ratios in this guide are grounded in laboratory data from the USDA Agricultural Research Service and peer-reviewed journals.

[1] USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy) · USDA Standard Reference 28Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

Chicken, broilers or fryers, breast, meat only, cooked, roasted (FDC ID: 171477)

Standardized national laboratory nutrient breakdown establishing 165 kcal, 31.02g protein, and 3.57g total lipid per 100g cooked skinless breast.

[2] USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy) · USDA Standard Reference 28Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

Chicken, broilers or fryers, thigh, meat only, cooked, roasted (FDC ID: 172388)

Defines 179 kcal, 24.84g protein, and 8.24g total lipid per 100g cooked skinless dark thigh meat, validating higher zinc, iron, and potassium levels.

[3] USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy) · USDA Standard Reference 28Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

Chicken, broilers or fryers, wing, meat and skin, cooked, roasted (FDC ID: 171119)

Establishes 254 kcal, 23.82g protein, and 16.91g lipid per 100g skin-on cooked wing, quantifying the significant caloric impact of subcutaneous wing fat.

[4] Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics · 2021Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Nutrient Retention and Moisture Loss in Cooked Muscle Foods: The Impact of Culinary Thermal Processing

Quantifies the 25%–28% thermal water evaporation curve across grilling, baking, and poaching, validating the 1.33× raw-to-cooked tare multiplier.

[5] American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · 2020American Society for Nutrition

Dietary Protein, Satiety, and Energy Intake: The Role of Lean Poultry in Body Composition Regulation

Clinical trial proving that skinless chicken breast produces an 80% higher satiety score per calorie compared to ultra-processed and high-fat protein matrices.

Explore Dedicated Chicken Cut & Cooking Guides

Deep-dive into individual cut calculators, recipes, and thermal science

View All Blog Guides

Nutritional awareness & food logging disclaimer

All caloric and macronutrient values on this page are derived from USDA FoodData Central Standard Reference (SR Legacy) and Foundation Foods databases. Real-world poultry composition varies slightly based on breed genetics, bird age, feed composition, water injection during commercial chilling (air-chilled vs water-chilled), and culinary moisture evaporation. For precise personal dietary tracking, weigh cooked portions on a calibrated food scale and adjust for any cooking oils, marinades, glazes, or breading. This guide is for educational and nutritional tracking awareness only and does not constitute formal medical or dietary advice.