How Much Protein is in 6oz of Chicken Breast?

Chicken breast is one of the most popular sources of protein. A 6oz cooked chicken breast contains around 38g of protein, making it an excellent choice for meeting your daily protein needs. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the protein content of 6oz chicken breast and the benefits of eating high-protein foods like chicken.

What is Protein and Why Do You Need It?

Protein is an important macronutrient that plays many roles in the body Here are some of the top benefits of protein

• Builds and repairs tissues and cells
• Makes enzymes, hormones and other essential chemicals
• Boosts metabolism and promotes fat loss
• Reduces appetite and promotes fullness
• Maintains bone health and reduces osteoporosis risk
• Supports immune function and wound healing

The recommended daily intake of protein is around 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight or 0.36 grams per pound This equates to around 56 grams per day for the average sedentary man and 46 grams per day for the average sedentary woman However, active individuals and athletes may need more.

Consuming adequate protein from high-quality food sources helps ensure you meet your body’s needs for growth, repair and maintenance.

Nutrition Facts for 6oz Chicken Breast

A 6oz cooked chicken breast with the skin removed contains the following nutrients:

• Calories: 185
• Protein: 38.8g
• Fat: 2g
• Carbs: 0g
• Cholesterol: 97mg
• Sodium: 109mg
• Calcium: 18mg
• Iron: 1.2mg
• Potassium: 428mg

It looks like almost all of the calories in a 6oz skinless chicken breast come from protein and not much from fat. Chicken breast without the skin is a great source of lean protein.

How Much Protein You Get From 6oz Chicken Breast

The exact amount of protein in chicken breast depends on where it comes from and how it is cooked. But the USDA says that a 6oz cooked chicken breast with the skin taken off gives you about 38 8 grams of protein.

This gives you about 70% of the daily recommended amount of protein in just one serving. Here are some examples to help you understand how much protein this food has:

• A 6oz beef sirloin steak provides around 42g protein
• A 6oz serving of tofu provides around 20g protein
• A cup of lentils provides around 18g protein
• A cup of plain yogurt provides around 15g protein

So you can see that 6oz of chicken breast provides a very high amount of protein compared to other common protein-rich foods.

Chicken breast is low in fat and carbs, so nearly all the calories come from its high-quality complete protein.

Health Benefits of Chicken Breast

Here are some of the top health benefits associated with eating chicken breast:

• Muscle growth and maintenance: The high protein content promotes muscle synthesis and reduces muscle breakdown, making chicken breast ideal for athletes and active individuals.

• Weight control: Protein is the most filling macronutrient. Eating chicken breast can make you feel fuller and lower your overall calorie intake.

• Heart health: Skinless chicken breast is low in saturated fat and high in B vitamins that support heart health.

• Strong bones: Chicken provides phosphorus, zinc and other minerals important for bone health.

• Nutrient profile: Chicken breast contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, including niacin, selenium, vitamins B6 and B12.

Simple Ways to Add More Chicken Breast to Your Diet

Chicken breast is versatile, convenient and easy to add to your diet. Here are some simple ideas:

• Use it in salads, sandwiches, wraps or tacos
• Bake, grill or sauté it plain, marinated or coated in spices
• Make chicken noodle soup or chicken veggie soup
• Enjoy it in stir-fries, curries or fajitas
• Meal prep some baked chicken breasts for the week
• Dice it up to add to eggs, rice bowls and pasta dishes

Chicken can be seasoned in endless ways so you never get bored. It also reheats well, so cook once and eat multiple times.

The Takeaway

A 6oz cooked chicken breast provides around 38.8g of high-quality complete protein in just 185 calories, making it an exceptional source of protein. Chicken breast offers a long list of additional health benefits. It’s easy to prepare and can be incorporated into meals and snacks in many different ways. Include skinless chicken breast as part of a balanced diet to ensure you meet your daily protein needs.

A 6-ounce cooked chicken breast contains approximately 50 grams of protein, according to a user on Reddit.