The number of calories in chicken can vary based on the specific cut, along with the way that it’s prepared. However, most popular varieties contain 155–203 calories per 3. 5-ounce (oz. ), or 100-gram (g), serving.
Chicken is a popular option for lean protein, as it packs a considerable amount into a single serving without much fat.
Plus, it’s easy to cook at home and available in most restaurants. Chicken dishes can be found on just about any menu, no matter what type of cuisine you’re eating.
Chicken has many cuts, including breasts, thighs, wings, and drumsticks. Each cut contains a different number of calories and a different proportion of protein to fat.
Chicken breast is one of the most popular cuts of chicken. High in protein and low in fat, it’s a great choice for people who want to lose weight.
One skinless, boneless, cooked chicken breast (172 g) has the following nutrition breakdown:
A 3. 5-oz. (100-g) serving of chicken breast provides 165 calories, 31 g of protein, and 3. 6 g of fat. That means that approximately 80% of the calories in chicken breast come from protein, and 20% come from fat.
Remember that these amounts refer to a plain chicken breast with no added ingredients. The total number of calories, carbs, and fat goes up when you cook it in oil or add marinades or sauces.
Chicken thigh is slightly more tender and flavorful than chicken breast due to its higher fat content.
A 3. 5-oz. (100-g) serving of chicken thigh provides 179 calories, 24. 8 g of protein, and 8. 2 g of fat. Thus, 55% of the calories come from protein, while 45% come from fat.
When you think about healthy cuts of chicken, chicken wings probably don’t come to mind. However, if they’re not covered in breading or sauce and deep-fried, they can easily fit into a healthy diet.
Per 3. 5 oz. (100 g), chicken wings provide 203 calories, 30. 5 g of protein, and 8. 1 g of fat. This means that 64% of the calories come from protein and 36% from fat.
Chicken legs have two parts — the thigh and the drumstick. The drumstick is the lower portion of the leg.
Per 3. 5 oz. (100 g), chicken drumsticks have 155 calories, 24. 2 g of protein, and 5. 7 g of fat. Regarding calorie count, about 65% comes from protein, while 35% comes from fat.
The most common chicken cuts are breast, thighs, wings, and drumsticks, but there are many more to choose from.
While a skinless chicken breast is 284 calories with 80% protein and 20% fat, those numbers dramatically shift when you include the skin.
In a chicken breast with skin, 61% of the calories come from protein, while 39% come from fat. Additionally, eating the skin adds nearly 102 calories.
Similarly, one chicken wing with skin (34 g) has 86 calories, compared to 43 calories in a skinless wing (21 g). Thus, 60% of the calories in chicken wings with skin come from fat, compared to 36% in a wing without skin.
So, if you’re trying to lose weight or reduce your fat intake, it may be best to opt for chicken without the skin to minimize calories and fat.
Chicken meat alone is relatively low in calories and fat compared to other meats. But once you start adding oil, sauce, batter, and breading, the calories can add up.
For example, a skinless, boneless, cooked chicken thigh (116 g) contains 208 calories and 9.5 g of fat.
But a chicken thigh fried in batter contains even more — 238 calories and 14.2 g of fat.
Similarly, one boneless, skinless chicken wing (21 g) has 43 calories and 1.7 g of fat.
However, a chicken wing glazed in barbecue sauce provides 61 calories and 3.7 g of fat. That’s comparable to a wing fried in a flour coating, which has 103 calories and 7.1 g of fat.
Therefore, cooking methods that add little fat, such as poaching, roasting, grilling, and steaming, are your best bet for keeping the calorie count low.
Chicken is a popular meat, and most cuts are low in calories and fat while providing ample protein.
Here are the calorie counts of the most common cuts of boneless, skinless chicken per 3.5 oz. (100-g) serving:
Note that eating the skin or using high fat cooking methods adds calories. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our
Chicken breast is one of the most popular lean protein choices. It’s not only delicious and versatile, but also relatively low in calories compared to other meats. If you’re watching your calorie intake, it’s important to know the calories in the foods you eat. So how many calories are in 5 ounces of chicken breast?
The Simple Answer
The simple answer is that 5 ounces of boneless, skinless chicken breast contains around 165 calories. This portion size of chicken breast contains moderate amounts of protein and minimal fat, making it a nutritious choice
Factors That Affect Calorie Content
While the basic calorie count of 5 ounces of plain chicken breast is consistent, there are several factors that can alter the calories:
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Method of cooking: grilling, baking, or boiling without extra fat has little effect. Frying or cooking with oil increases calories.
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Skin: Chicken breast with skin contains more calories from fat. Skinless is lower calorie.
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Cuts: Different cuts like tenderloins, boneless, bone-in may vary slightly.
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Seasoning: Minimal effect unless containing high-calorie oils or sugars.
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Weight: Precisely weighing 5 ounces gives the most accurate count.
To find out how many calories are in a chicken breast, choose one that is skinless, trimmed, and cooked without extra fat. Weighing the portion gives the closest values.
Nutrition Benefits of Chicken Breast
Beyond calories, chicken breast contains beneficial nutrients:
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High-quality lean protein – helps build and repair muscles.
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Rich in B vitamins like B6 and B12 – supports energy and brain health.
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Contains selenium – antioxidant that enhances immune function.
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Provides some iron, zinc, and magnesium.
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Relatively low in saturated fat and cholesterol compared to red meats.
Chicken Breast for Weight Loss
Due to its low calorie density and high protein content, chicken breast is ideal for weight loss diets. Protein is especially filling and helps control hunger and appetite.
Some tips:
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Choose skinless chicken breast
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Portion to 5-6 ounces per serving
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Combine with non-starchy veggies
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Avoid frying or breading
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Flavor with herbs, spices, lemon instead of heavy sauces
Compared to Other Meats
Chicken breast has fewer calories compared to most other meats:
- 5 oz chicken breast: 165 calories
- 5 oz salmon: 175 calories
- 5 oz pork tenderloin: 240 calories
- 5 oz sirloin steak: 290 calories
So chicken breast is one of the leanest protein choices.
The Bottom Line
Is Tracking Your Food Raw Ruining Your Gains?
FAQ
How many calories are in 5 oz of grilled chicken breast?
A 5-ounce serving of grilled chicken breast typically contains between 160 and 223 calories.
How many calories in a boneless skinless chicken breast cooked?
Chicken breast: 284 calories One cooked chicken breast that is skinless and boneless has the following nutrition facts: 200 calories Protein: 53. 4 g.
How many calories in 5 oz cooked boneless skinless chicken thigh?
How many grams of protein are in a 5 0z chicken breast?
Explanation. A 5-ounce (oz) serving of chicken breast typically contains around 40 to 45 grams of protein. Jun 13, 2023.
How many calories are in 5 oz of boneless chicken breast?
There are 176 calories in 5 ounces of boneless Chicken Breast. Calorie breakdown: 37% fat, 0% carbs, 63% protein. There are 176 calories in 5 ounces of boneless Chicken Breast. Get full nutrition facts and other common serving sizes of Chicken Breast including 1 oz of raw and 1 oz of boneless.
How many calories are in 5 oz of chicken?
In terms of calories, 5 ounces of cooked, skinless, boneless chicken breast contain 154 calories. Calorie breakdown: 11% fat, 0% carbs, 89% protein. Is 5 oz of chicken too much? The suggested serving size for chicken is 3 to 4 ounces, or roughly the size of a deck of cards. Some people use their hand’s palm as a reference point.
How many calories are in skinless chicken breast?
Calorie breakdown: 11% fat, 0% carbs, 89% protein. There are 154 calories in 5 ounces of boneless, cooked, skinless Skinless Chicken Breast. Find out how many calories are in 1 oz of boneless, cooked, skinless chicken breast and how many calories are in 100 g of skinless chicken breast.
How much protein is in a 5 oz chicken breast?
And the bone displaces the amount of meat. On average, the breastbone accounts for about half of the bone-in chicken breast weight. So a 5 oz chicken breast with the bone would only contain about 2. 5 ounces of meat. Therefore, a 5 oz bone-in, skin-on chicken breast has roughly 14 grams of protein.
How much does a 5 oz chicken breast weigh?
In general, an uncooked boneless chicken breast weighs between 6 and 10 oz. In this case, a 5 oz breast is pretty small, or it may not be a whole breast. The suggested serving size for chicken breast is 3 to 4 oz. So a 5 oz portion is a large serving and more than most people consume in one sitting.
How much protein is in a boneless chicken breast?
One 3.5-ounce serving of boneless, skinless chicken breast contains about 160 calories and 32 grams of protein. That’s almost half the recommended daily amount for the average 185-pound adult. (Some research suggests that people who do regular strength or endurance training may benefit from consuming more protein per day.)