How many calories are in 2 piece KFC chicken? A detailed nutritional breakdown

October 21, 2025 •

4 min read

According to official nutrition data, the calorie count for 2 piece KFC chicken can vary dramatically, ranging from a low of 260 calories for two Original Recipe wings to over 900 for two Extra Crispy breasts. The exact number depends heavily on the recipe style and the specific pieces of chicken included in your order. Understanding these differences is key to making informed dietary choices.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for a two-piece KFC chicken meal is highly dependent on whether you choose Original Recipe or Extra Crispy, as well as the specific chicken parts selected. Extra Crispy options are consistently higher in calories due to the thicker breading. Side dishes also significantly increase the total caloric intake.

Key Points

Significant variation: The number of calories in a 2-piece KFC meal varies widely based on the recipe and cuts of chicken.
Extra crispy is higher: The Extra Crispy recipe, with its thicker breading, consistently contains more calories than the Original Recipe version of the same chicken piece.
White meat is leaner: Opting for white meat pieces like wings and breasts can help reduce calories, as dark meat (thighs and drumsticks) has a higher fat content.
Sides add up quickly: Popular sides like fries, mashed potatoes, and biscuits can add hundreds of calories to your meal, often doubling the total intake.
Smart substitutions: Making healthier swaps, such as choosing grilled chicken, picking low-calorie sides like corn on the cob or green beans, and skipping sugary drinks, can significantly lower your total calories.
Remove the skin: For the lowest calorie fried option, remove the breaded skin from your chicken before eating.

The Calorie Breakdown: Original vs. Extra Crispy

When asking how many calories are in 2 piece KFC chicken, the most critical factor is the recipe. The Original Recipe, with its lighter, secret-seasoned breading, and the Extra Crispy, known for its thicker, crunchier coating, have distinct nutritional profiles. The piece of chicken itself—breast, thigh, drumstick, or wing—is the second major variable, with white meat generally having fewer calories and fat than dark meat.

Original Recipe Calories Per Piece

According to data from Nutritionix, here is the approximate calorie count for individual pieces of KFC Original Recipe chicken:

Original Recipe Chicken Breast: 390 calories
Original Recipe Chicken Thigh: 280 calories
Original Recipe Chicken Drumstick: 130 calories
Original Recipe Chicken Whole Wing: 130 calories

Extra Crispy Calories Per Piece

As the name suggests, the heavier breading of the Extra Crispy chicken adds a significant number of calories. Here are the approximate figures per piece:

Extra Crispy Chicken Breast: 530 calories
Extra Crispy Chicken Thigh: 330 calories
Extra Crispy Chicken Drumstick: 170 calories
Extra Crispy Chicken Whole Wing: 170 calories

Comparison of 2-Piece Combinations

To illustrate the wide range of possibilities, here is a comparison table of different two-piece combinations. These figures are for the chicken pieces only and do not include any sides or drinks.


Recipe	Pieces Included	Approx. Calories	Additional Notes
Original Recipe	2 Wings	260	The lowest-calorie 2-piece option
Original Recipe	2 Drumsticks	260	Another low-calorie option
Original Recipe	1 Thigh + 1 Drumstick	410	A popular, balanced combination
Original Recipe	1 Breast + 1 Drumstick	520	A higher-calorie Original meal
Extra Crispy	2 Wings	340	Still significantly more than Original Wings
Extra Crispy	1 Thigh + 1 Drumstick	500	Comparable to a heavier Original combo
Extra Crispy	1 Breast + 1 Drumstick	700	A substantial amount of calories
Extra Crispy	2 Breasts	1,060	The highest-calorie 2-piece option

How Your Side Dishes Impact the Total

It's important to remember that the calories from the chicken pieces are just part of a typical KFC meal. Adding sides can dramatically increase your total calorie intake. For example:

An individual side of Mashed Potatoes with Gravy adds about 130 calories.
A side of Coleslaw adds another 170 calories.
A biscuit contributes around 180 calories.
A side of Secret Recipe Fries can add 320 calories.

Pairing a 2-piece Original Recipe breast and thigh (670 calories) with fries (320 calories) and a biscuit (180 calories) brings the total meal to 1,170 calories, more than doubling the count for the chicken alone. Choosing a diet soda or water over a regular soda also helps manage calorie intake.

Strategies for a Lower-Calorie KFC Meal

If you want to enjoy KFC while keeping a closer eye on your calorie intake, there are several simple strategies you can follow:

Go for grilled: Whenever possible, opt for the Kentucky Grilled Chicken over the fried options. For instance, a grilled drumstick is only 80 calories compared to 130-170 for a fried one.
Order smaller pieces: Choose wings or drumsticks over thighs and breasts. They have significantly fewer calories, especially in the Original Recipe.
Remove the skin: By removing the skin and breading, you can cut a substantial amount of fat and calories from your meal.
Select smarter sides: Choose lower-calorie side options to keep your total intake in check. Here are a few options from the KFC menu:
- Green Beans: 25 calories
- Sweet Kernel Corn: 70 calories
- House Side Salad (no dressing): 15 calories
Skip the sauces and extras: Sauces, biscuits, and sweetened drinks can add a surprising number of calories. Stick with water or diet drinks, and use less sauce.

Conclusion

There is no single answer to how many calories are in 2 piece KFC chicken, as it depends on your specific choices. The calorie range can be vast, from the low hundreds to over a thousand when you factor in recipe, pieces, and sides. By understanding the nutritional differences between Original and Extra Crispy chicken and making mindful selections, you can still enjoy your meal while staying within your dietary goals. For the most precise nutritional information on specific menu items, you can always refer to the official KFC nutrition facts or reliable online sources like Nutritionix. Making smart swaps can turn a high-calorie meal into a more balanced option.

Is chicken meat healthy without the skin?

Yes, chicken meat is a lean source of protein that contains essential vitamins and minerals. The skin and breading are where most of the fat and calories are concentrated. Removing the skin and choosing healthier cooking methods like grilling can turn chicken into a very healthy food option.

Is KFC healthy if you remove the skin?

Removing the skin and breading from fried KFC chicken can significantly reduce its fat and calorie content, making it a healthier option. However, the chicken is still heavily processed and contains a high amount of sodium, so it should still be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

The total calories for a 2-piece Original Recipe meal depend on the pieces. Two drumsticks contain about 260 calories, while a breast and thigh combination is around 670 calories. A specific combination, like a breast and a drumstick, is approximately 520 calories.

Yes, Extra Crispy chicken is generally higher in calories due to its heavier breading. For example, an Extra Crispy breast has 530 calories, compared to 390 calories for an Original Recipe breast.

The lowest calorie option is a 2-piece order of Original Recipe wings or drumsticks, both totaling approximately 260 calories.

Side dishes can add a significant amount of calories. A small Secret Recipe Fries adds 320 calories, and a biscuit adds 180 calories. Choosing water instead of soda also helps reduce calories.

Yes, removing the breaded skin from fried chicken is an effective way to reduce the fat and calorie content. Much of the fat and calories are concentrated in the skin and breading.

Yes, Kentucky Grilled Chicken is a much healthier alternative to the fried varieties. It uses less oil and contains fewer calories and fat. For example, a grilled drumstick is only 80 calories compared to a fried one at 130-170.

Some of the lowest-calorie sides available at KFC are the green beans (25 calories), sweet kernel corn (70 calories), and a House Side Salad without dressing (15 calories).

To make a KFC meal healthier, choose grilled chicken, remove the skin from fried pieces, opt for smaller pieces (wings or drumsticks), select low-calorie sides like green beans, and drink water or diet soda instead of regular soft drinks.