How much protein and calories are in 200 grams of chicken?

November 11, 2025 •

3 min read

Did you know that a 200-gram portion of chicken can have a protein-to-calorie ratio that varies dramatically depending on the cut and preparation? Determining how much protein and calories are in 200 grams of chicken is crucial for anyone tracking their nutritional intake, as the difference between a skinless breast and a fried wing is significant.

Quick Summary

The protein and calorie content in a 200g serving of chicken is highly dependent on the cut, whether the skin is included, and the cooking method. Leaner cuts like the breast offer a higher protein-to-calorie ratio, making them ideal for weight management. Fattier cuts like thighs and wings contain more calories, while frying adds significant fat and calories compared to healthier methods like grilling or roasting.

Key Points

Cut Matters: Chicken breast is the leanest cut, offering the most protein and fewest calories for a 200g serving.
Cooking Method is Key: Frying chicken significantly increases calories and fat due to oil absorption, while grilling or baking keeps it leaner.
Skin Adds Calories: Leaving the skin on any chicken cut adds a considerable amount of fat and calories, so remove it for a healthier option.
Weight Changes with Cooking: Remember that 200g of raw chicken will weigh less after cooking due to water loss, but the nutritional value for that piece of meat does not change.
Dark Meat vs. White Meat: Dark meat (thighs, wings) is higher in fat and calories than white meat (breast) but is also richer in flavor.
High Protein Source: Regardless of the cut, 200g of chicken is an excellent source of high-quality protein, vital for muscle repair and building.

The nutritional value of chicken is not a one-size-fits-all metric. A 200-gram serving can have a vastly different macro-nutrient profile depending on which part of the chicken you're eating and how it was prepared. For those with specific dietary goals, understanding these variations is key to making informed choices. Lean cuts, such as the breast, offer the most protein with the fewest calories, while fattier cuts like the thigh and wing provide a different balance of macros.

Nutritional Breakdown of 200g Chicken by Cut (Cooked, Skinless)

To better illustrate the differences, here is a comparison of the calories and protein in 200g of various cooked, skinless chicken cuts. It is important to note that these are approximate values, and actual content can vary slightly based on cooking methods and the bird's size.


Cut	Approx. Calories (200g)	Approx. Protein (200g)
Breast	330	62g
Thigh	358	50g
Wing	406	61g
Drumstick	310	48g

The Leanest Option: Chicken Breast

As the data shows, a skinless, boneless chicken breast is the leanest cut, offering the highest amount of protein relative to its calorie count. A 200-gram serving of cooked, skinless breast contains around 330 calories and 62 grams of protein. This makes it an ideal choice for muscle building and weight loss, where maximizing protein intake while minimizing fat and calories is often a priority.

The Flavorful Choice: Chicken Thigh

Chicken thigh meat is naturally darker and more flavorful than breast meat because it contains a higher fat content. For a 200g serving of cooked, skinless thigh, you can expect approximately 358 calories and 50 grams of protein. The increased fat provides more moisture and flavor, which many people prefer. This can be a great option for those looking to build muscle or on a higher-fat diet, such as ketogenic.

Understanding Chicken Wings and Other Cuts

Chicken wings, when served skinless, also contain a high amount of protein, but their overall fat content is higher compared to breast meat, especially if cooked with the skin on. A 200g serving of roasted, skinless wings contains around 406 calories and 61 grams of protein. Chicken drumsticks fall somewhere in between the breast and thigh, providing a balanced profile of protein and fat.

How Cooking Methods Impact Nutrition

Cooking methods can drastically alter the final nutritional count, primarily by adding fat and calories. The key is to choose cooking methods that add little to no extra fat if you are aiming for a lower-calorie meal. For instance, a 200g serving of fried chicken breast will contain significantly more calories than a grilled or baked breast.

Grilling/Baking: These methods are excellent for retaining a low-fat profile. Grilling cooks the chicken without the need for excessive oil, and baking can be done with minimal added fats.
Frying: Whether pan-fried or deep-fried, this method adds a substantial amount of calories and fat, especially if a batter or breading is used. The chicken absorbs the cooking oil, increasing the overall calorie density.
Stewing/Poaching: These moist-heat methods are similar to grilling in that they do not add significant fat. They result in very tender meat and help keep the calorie count down.

The Impact of Skin on Calorie Count

The presence of skin is one of the most significant factors that increases the calorie and fat content of any chicken cut. Chicken skin is primarily composed of fat, so removing it is a simple way to make your meal leaner and lower in calories. For example, a 200g portion of roasted chicken breast with the skin on contains more calories and fat compared to the same portion skinless.

Conclusion

In summary, the specific nutritional content of your 200-gram chicken serving depends entirely on your choices. Opting for a skinless breast cooked by grilling, baking, or poaching will give you the highest protein count for the lowest calories, making it a great option for weight management and lean muscle gain. If flavor is your priority, fattier cuts like thighs or wings offer a richer taste but come with more calories and fat. Always consider your dietary goals when choosing and preparing your chicken to get the best results. For more in-depth nutritional data on various foods, consult resources like the USDA FoodData Central.(https://www.ars.usda.gov/northeast-area/beltsville-md-bhnrc/beltsville-human-nutrition-research-center/food-data-central/)

Note: When using nutritional tracking apps, be mindful that the weight of raw chicken differs from cooked chicken. A 200g raw chicken breast will yield a smaller, lighter piece of cooked meat, but the total protein and calorie content remains the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 200-gram serving of cooked, skinless chicken breast that has been grilled typically contains around 330 calories and 62 grams of protein. This is an approximation, and values can vary.

Yes, chicken thighs have more fat and therefore more calories than chicken breasts. For a 200g portion, a cooked, skinless thigh has roughly 358 calories compared to about 330 in a breast.

The skin adds a substantial amount of fat and calories. For example, a 196g cooked chicken breast with skin has 386 calories, compared to 284 for a skinless one, indicating the skin adds nearly 102 calories. The effect on a 200g portion would be similar.

While both are excellent protein sources, white meat (breast) is a leaner source, meaning it provides more protein per calorie. Dark meat (thighs, wings) is richer in fat and flavor but has a lower protein-to-calorie ratio.

Frying chicken adds significant calories due to the oil and any breading used. A 200g portion of fried chicken will have substantially more calories than the same cut prepared via grilling, baking, or stewing.

In a 200g serving of cooked, skinless chicken thigh, you can expect approximately 50 grams of protein. This is a slightly lower protein count than a breast but comes with more fat and flavor.

Cooking primarily affects the moisture and fat content, not the protein. The total amount of protein in the piece of meat remains the same. However, concentrating the protein as water evaporates can make the cooked piece seem more protein-dense per gram of final weight.