How Much Protein in a Chicken Thigh? Nutrition, Calories & Facts
A lot of people like chicken thighs because they taste great and have a lot of protein. One cooked chicken thigh without the skin has about 25 grams of protein on average.
This article talks about how much protein is in chicken thighs, how they compare to other cuts, and how they can be good for your health. This guide will help you make smart, protein-rich choices whether you're trying to get stronger or eat better.
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How Much Protein in a Chicken Thigh?
Chicken thighs are tasty and full of protein, which makes them a good choice for many diets. Cooked chicken thighs without the skin are a good way to get more protein without adding too many calories.
Protein Content per 1 Cooked Skinless Chicken Thigh
About 27 grams of protein are in a cooked chicken thigh without the skin. Protein helps muscles heal and makes you feel full longer. Also, it tastes better than chicken breast, which a lot of people like.
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Protein per thigh: About 27 grams of protein are in a cooked chicken thigh without the skin.
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Per 100 grams: 100 grams of thigh meat has about 25 grams of protein.
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Calories: Depending on the size, each thigh has about 195 calories.
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Fat content: Not quite as high as breast, but mostly healthy fats.
Nutritional Facts of Chicken Thighs
Not only do chicken thighs have protein, but they also have other nutrients that your body needs every day. They help keep you healthy and are thought to be a complete protein.
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Rich in nutrients: Selenium, iron, and vitamin B12 are all in them.
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No carbs: Ideal for eating in a low-carb or keto way.
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Supports a healthy diet: Protein and fat in the right amounts give you energy.
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Easy to cook: It's great for baking, grilling, or stir-frying.
Which Part of the Chicken Has the Highest Protein?
Protein in chicken depends on the part you eat. You can pick what's best for your body and goals if you know the difference. There are lean parts that are high in protein and others that are high in fat and calories.
Protein Comparison by Chicken Cuts
Different parts of chicken have different amounts of protein. The chicken breast has the least amount of fat and the most protein. The thighs and wings have more flavor and fat but less protein.
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Skinless chicken breast: About 31–32 grams of protein per 100 grams.
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Cooked chicken breast: A full cooked breast provides around 54–56 grams of protein.
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Chicken drumsticks: Provide about 23–24 grams of protein per 100 grams.
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One chicken wing: One chicken wing: Contains about 18 grams of protein per 85-gram serving.
What This Means for Your Fitness or Weight Goals
Every cut can help your health in different ways. There are some that help you lose fat and some that help you gain weight or muscle.
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For losing weight: Choose lean protein like skinless chicken breast.
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For muscle gain: Thigh meat and chicken drumsticks offer more fat and calories.
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For balanced meals: Mix different cuts to get taste, protein, and nutrients.
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For low-fat diets: Stick with breast to reduce fat content.
Is Chicken Thigh Healthy?
People often think that chicken thighs are not as healthy as chicken breast, but that's not true. Even though they have a little more fat, they are a good source of lean protein and good for you when cooked the right way.
Nutritional Benefits of Chicken Thighs
Thigh meat is tasty and full of important nutrients. The vitamins and minerals inside help joints heal and keep the immune system strong.
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High in protein: It has all nine essential amino acids and helps build and repair muscles.
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Good source of vitamins: Iron, zinc, and B12 are added to boost energy and immunity.
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Boosts mood: It has tryptophan in it, which helps the body make serotonin.
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Supports bones: Bones stay strong and healthy with the help of nutrients.
Preparing Chicken Thighs the Healthy Way
How you cook is important. It's better for your health to avoid frying and cook your food in other, healthier ways.
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Use healthy cooking methods: Don't deep fry. Instead, bake, grill, or air fry.
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Remove the skin: Cuts down on calories and saturated fat.
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Pair wisely: Fill up your plate with whole grains and vegetables.
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Watch added fats: To keep meals light, don't use too much butter, oil, or sauces.
How Much Protein Is in 2 Skin-On Chicken Thighs?
A lot of protein can be found in two chicken thighs. This is especially true for people who want to build muscle or feel full for longer. There are more calories and fat in the skin, but the protein is still strong. You should find a good balance between taste and health.
Breakdown of Skin-On vs. Skinless Thighs
You can choose better food if you know the difference between skin-on and skinless thighs. Even though the skin adds extra fat, chicken thighs are still a good source of protein and important nutrients.
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Protein intake: Two average skinless chicken thighs provide about 44–50 grams of protein, depending on size.
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Calories: About 290 calories without the skin, and more with the skin on.
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Fat content: More pieces with skin on them, but mostly unsaturated fats.
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Micronutrients: Gives each thigh about 1.7 mg of zinc and 0.9 mg of iron.
Should You Eat the Skin or Not?
You can eat the skin if you want to, but it depends on your diet goals. It adds texture and tastes great, but it also makes the meal higher in fat.
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For weight control: Take off the skin to cut down on calories and fat.
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For better flavor: For a better taste and more satisfying bite, leave the skin on.
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For bodybuilders: Putting on extra fat can help when you're bulking up on calories.
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Cooking tip: To control the amount of fat in the chicken, trim it before cooking.
What Can FullyHealthy Offer for a High-Protein Chicken Diet?
With chicken that's already cooked, FullyHealthy makes it easy to eat well. People who are busy but still want to eat well and stay healthy will love these products.
Featured Chicken Products from FullyHealthy
Organic broilers are used to make high-protein meals that you can buy at FullyHealthy. This is the best choice for people who want quick, tasty, and healthy food.
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Wild Planet Organic Roasted Chicken Breast: Comes in salted and no-salt versions.
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Wild Zora Freeze-Dried Summit Savory Chicken: Just add water for a quick protein-rich meal.
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No fillers or additives: Only real, simple ingredients.
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Made for clean eating: Great for AIP, paleo, and low-carb diets.
Why Choose FullyHealthy?
Foods they make with chicken are made to be healthy, tasty, and easy to use. These foods are good for a high-protein diet, whether you're working out or just want to eat healthier snacks.
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Fast and easy: No cooking or prep needed.
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Good for special diets: Safe for many food plans.
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From trusted sources: Uses free-range, organic chicken.
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Supports your goals: Helps boost protein intake without junk.
Final Thoughts
To get more protein in your diet, chicken thighs are a smart and tasty choice. A cooked chicken thigh without the skin is a good source of lean protein and important nutrients like iron and zinc. Every cut of chicken can be part of a healthy diet, whether you choose chicken breast, thigh meat, or even chicken drumsticks.
Plan your meals by always thinking about how they will be cooked, how much fat they have, and how much to serve. It's never been easier to get clean protein on the go with FullyHealthy's ready-made foods and snacks.
FAQs
How much protein is in one chicken wing compared to a chicken thigh?
One chicken wing has about 20g of protein per 85g serving, while a skinless cooked chicken thigh gives around 27g. Both are good, but thigh meat gives more protein intake per portion.
Is raw chicken thigh higher in fat than chicken breast?
Yes, raw chicken thighs have more fat content than skinless chicken breast. The cooked chicken breast is leaner and often preferred for strict diets.
Are broilers used in most chicken products?
Yes, most commercial chicken, including thighs and breast, come from broilers. Broilers are raised for meat and are found in both raw and cooked foods.
Can bodybuilders eat chicken thighs instead of breast?
Chicken thighs contain significantly more fat than chicken breast, but are still beneficial for bodybuilders needing higher calorie intake and protein. Nutrition needs vary per person.
How many mg of iron is in chicken thigh?
One skinless cooked chicken thigh contains about 0.9 mg of iron. It also adds to your daily nutrition with zinc and vitamin B12.
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