Which has more calories, chicken leg or thigh?

October 30, 2025 •

4 min read

According to USDA data, a 100-gram serving of cooked chicken thigh meat typically contains more calories than a similar serving of cooked chicken drumstick, the lower part of the leg. The difference between a chicken leg and thigh primarily comes down to their fat content and overall size, which directly influences their calorie count.

Quick Summary

This article details the calorie content and nutritional profile of chicken thighs versus drumsticks (the lower leg). It explores how fat content, cooking methods, and whether the skin is included affects the final calorie count, helping to clarify which cut is higher in energy and why.

Key Points

Chicken Thighs Have More Calories: On a per-gram basis, chicken thighs are fattier and therefore contain more calories than drumsticks, which are the lower part of the leg.
Fat Content is the Key Factor: The difference in calorie count is primarily due to the higher fat content found in the darker thigh meat.
Cooking Method Matters: Frying and cooking with the skin on can significantly increase the calorie count for both cuts, while methods like baking or grilling keep calories lower.
Skin Adds Substantial Calories: Regardless of the cut, eating chicken with the skin adds a significant amount of extra calories from fat.
Choose Based on Your Goal: For calorie control and weight loss, the drumstick is the better choice. For a richer, more flavorful dish, the thigh is preferable.
The Leg is a Composite Part: The term 'chicken leg' can be confusing as it includes both the higher-calorie thigh and the lower-calorie drumstick.
Both are Excellent Protein Sources: Both cuts of chicken are nutritious, providing ample protein, iron, and B vitamins.

Chicken Thigh vs. Chicken Leg: A Calorie and Nutritional Deep Dive

When planning meals, understanding the calorie and nutritional differences between cuts of meat is essential. Many people wonder, 'Which has more calories, chicken leg or thigh?' and the answer depends on the specific parts being compared. The standard 'chicken leg' is a composite part, consisting of both the thigh and the drumstick. Therefore, it's more accurate to compare the thigh directly with the drumstick to understand the calorie variation in detail.

The Calorie Breakdown: Thigh vs. Drumstick

At a fundamental level, the thigh and drumstick both fall under the category of 'dark meat'. This means they contain more myoglobin, which provides oxygen to the muscles and results in a richer flavor and color compared to white meat, like the breast. The higher fat content associated with dark meat is the primary reason for its increased calories per serving compared to leaner, white meat cuts.

When we look at boneless, skinless cuts per 100-gram (3.5-ounce) serving, the cooked chicken thigh is consistently higher in calories than the cooked drumstick. The higher fat content in the thigh is the main driver of this difference.

How Cooking and Preparation Affect Calorie Counts

The way chicken is prepared has a dramatic impact on its final calorie and fat content. Methods that add extra fat, like frying, will increase the calorie count significantly.

Common Cooking Methods and Their Caloric Impact:

Frying: Deep-frying chicken can significantly increase its calorie count due to the absorption of oil. A breaded and fried thigh, for example, will have substantially more calories than a grilled or baked one.
Grilling, Baking, or Roasting: These methods preserve the chicken's natural, lower-calorie content by cooking it without excessive added fats.
Boiling: As a cooking method, boiling is a very low-calorie option because it does not involve added oils. In some cases, cooking can even reduce the total calories of a piece, as some fat may be rendered off and removed.

The Impact of Skin on Calories

Leaving the skin on chicken, whether on the thigh or the drumstick, adds a considerable amount of extra calories and fat. The skin is high in fat, and including it in your meal will increase the overall calorie load.

For example, removing the skin from a cooked chicken thigh can reduce its calories.
Similarly, a drumstick with skin contains more calories and fat than its skinless counterpart.

Comparison Table: Chicken Thigh vs. Drumstick (per 100g, cooked, skinless)


Nutritional Component	Chicken Thigh	Chicken Drumstick
Calories	~179 kcal	~155 kcal
Protein	~25 g	~24 g
Fat	~8.2 g	~5.7 g

Making the Right Choice for Your Diet

Your choice between a chicken leg (drumstick) and a thigh should align with your personal dietary goals. While both are excellent protein sources, they offer different nutritional profiles.

For Weight Loss: If your primary goal is weight loss and calorie reduction, the chicken drumstick is the leaner, lower-calorie option between the two. However, the chicken breast remains the leanest cut of all.

For Flavor and Moisture: Due to its higher fat content, the chicken thigh is often more flavorful and tender, making it a popular choice for many recipes. For those not strictly monitoring calorie intake, the thigh offers a richer eating experience.

Conclusion: The Thigh Reigns Calorie King

In the direct comparison, a chicken thigh has more calories than a chicken leg (drumstick), primarily due to its higher fat content. While the difference per 100-gram serving might seem small, it can add up depending on portion sizes and preparation methods. Ultimately, both cuts offer excellent protein, but the drumstick is the lower-calorie choice for health-conscious individuals, while the thigh provides a more flavorful option. The key is to choose the cut and cooking method that best suits your nutritional needs and health goals.

Choosing Between Thigh and Drumstick

When deciding which to add to your meal, consider these factors:

Dietary Goals: Opt for drumsticks if you're trying to minimize fat and calories. The minimal difference in nutrients like iron and B vitamins is likely negligible for most people.
Taste Preference: If you prioritize flavor and a juicier texture, the thigh is the clear winner due to its higher fat content.
Recipe Requirements: Some recipes benefit from the moistness of the thigh, while others work well with the leaner profile of the drumstick. For example, slow-cooked dishes often benefit from the fat content of thighs.

This nutritional analysis provides a clearer picture, empowering you to make the right choice for your meals based on whether your priority is lower calories or maximum flavor. For more nutritional information, reliable sources like the USDA and Healthline offer comprehensive data.

USDA FoodData Central offers detailed nutritional data on thousands of foods, including various chicken parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a chicken leg consists of two parts: the upper thigh and the lower drumstick. When a recipe calls for a whole chicken leg, it typically refers to both of these parts attached together.

Chicken thighs are higher in calories because they have a higher fat content compared to drumsticks. Both are dark meat, but the thigh muscle stores more fat, which contributes more calories per gram.

The cooking method can drastically change the total calorie count. For example, deep-frying chicken adds a significant amount of oil, which increases calories substantially. In contrast, baking, grilling, or boiling adds minimal or no extra calories from fat.

Yes, you can easily reduce the calories in a chicken thigh. The most effective way is to remove the skin before cooking or eating, as the skin contains a high concentration of fat. Choosing baking or grilling over frying also helps.

While both are healthy sources of protein, the drumstick (lower leg) is a slightly leaner, lower-calorie option. However, the difference is not substantial enough to make a major impact on most diets, and the thigh contains slightly more omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and zinc.

Dark meat, like the thigh and drumstick, is slightly higher in calories and fat than white meat (like the breast). However, dark meat also contains higher amounts of certain nutrients, such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins. The 'healthier' choice depends on individual dietary goals.

For those monitoring fat and calorie intake, it is better to eat chicken without the skin. The skin is high in fat and adds a considerable number of extra calories. However, leaving the skin on adds flavor and moisture during cooking.

For a 100-gram serving of cooked, skinless meat, a chicken thigh has approximately 179 calories, while a chicken drumstick has about 155 calories, according to Healthline based on USDA data.