How Many Calories Are in a Chicken Drumstick? A Detailed Look

Chicken drumsticks are a popular choice for many home cooks and restaurants. With their juicy dark meat and crispy skin when fried, drumsticks pack a lot of flavor into each bite. But many health-conscious eaters wonder – how many calories are in a chicken drumstick? Let’s take a closer look.

Calorie Counts in Chicken Drumsticks

The number of calories in a drumstick can vary quite a bit depending on the size of the drumstick and whether or not you eat the skin. Here are some typical calorie counts

• 1 small drumstick without skin: 55 calories
• 1 medium drumstick without skin: 72 calories
• 1 large drumstick without skin: 94 calories
• 1 small drumstick with skin: 81 calories
• 1 medium drumstick with skin: 105 calories
• 1 large drumstick with skin: 139 calories

There are a lot more calories in the skin than you might think. Without skin, a medium drumstick has 72 calories. With skin, it has 105 calories, which is an increase of 33 calories just from the skin.

The size of the drumstick matters too. A big drumstick with skin has over 200% more calories than a small drumstick.

Calories in Boneless Chicken Drumsticks

Many recipes call for using boneless chicken thighs cut into drumstick shapes instead of whole bone-in drumsticks. How does the calorie count compare?

• 4 oz boneless, cooked: 178 calories
• 4 oz with bone, cooked: 116 calories

Going boneless nearly doubles the calories! That’s because you lose the weight of the bone when you remove it. 4 oz of boneless chicken packs a lot more actual meat than 4 oz with the bone still in.

Calorie Differences in Cooking Methods

Frying, roasting, stewing – the cooking method also impacts the calorie count of chicken drumsticks.

• Fried chicken drumstick: 120 calories
• Roasted chicken drumstick: 112 calories
• Stewed chicken drumstick: 116 calories

Frying adds extra calories from the oil or other fats used in cooking. Roasting uses little added fat, resulting in the lowest calorie option. Stewing falls somewhere in the middle.

How to Reduce Calories in Chicken Drumsticks

Want to lighten up your drumstick recipe? Here are some easy ways to reduce the calories:

• Remove the skin before cooking. Skin contributes up to 30 extra calories per drumstick.
• Roast or stew instead of frying. Skip the added cooking fats by using lower calorie cooking methods.
• Watch your portion sizes. Stick to a small or medium drumstick to keep calories in check.
• Use bone-in drumsticks rather than boneless. The bone displaces some of the meat, lowering the calorie density.

Nutritional Benefits of Chicken Drumsticks

While they aren’t as lean as chicken breast, drumsticks still offer nutritional perks, including:

• Protein: 13g in a medium drumstick. Protein helps build muscle mass and keeps you feeling full.
• Iron: 0.65mg in a medium drumstick. Iron carries oxygen through the blood to your tissues and muscles.
• Potassium: 111mg in a medium drumstick. This mineral keeps nerves and muscles functioning properly.
• Vitamin A: 15mcg in a medium drumstick. Vitamin A supports eye health and your immune system.

So don’t avoid dark chicken meat completely! In moderation, drumsticks provide valuable nutrients.

Typical Serving Sizes for Chicken Drumsticks

Are you not sure what a small, medium, or large drumstick is? Here are some common serving sizes:

• Small: 1.5-2 oz
• Medium: 2.5-3 oz
• Large: 4-5 oz

A medium 3 oz cooked drumstick equals about one drumstick. Most drumstick recipes are based off this standard medium portion.

Calories in Full Chicken Drumstick Meals

Chicken drumsticks are often served as part of a full meal. Here are estimated calorie counts for popular chicken drumstick dishes:

• 4 Piece Fried Chicken Meal with Fries and Slaw: 780 calories
• Chicken Drumstick Salad with Vinaigrette: 340 calories
• Buffalo Drumsticks with Blue Cheese Dip: 530 calories
• Chicken Drumstick Sandwich with Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo: 720 calories

The drumsticks themselves make up 200-400 calories of each meal. Side dishes, cooking methods, and sauces add on additional calories.

The Bottom Line

So how many calories in a chicken drumstick? The exact amount depends on size, skin, cooking method, and serving style. But on average, a medium drumstick packs about 105 calories.

Watch your portions, avoid frying, and remove the skin to lower the calorie count. While not the leanest cut of chicken, enjoyed in moderation, drumsticks can be part of a healthy diet providing protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Nutritional Info per 1 Drumstick avg 100g (raw) Edible Portion 73g