Your Ultimate Guide: How many calories are in 100 g of cooked chicken?

November 11, 2025 •

4 min read

A 100-gram serving of skinless, boneless chicken breast contains approximately 165 calories. The answer to how many calories are in 100 g of cooked chicken? is not a single number, as it varies significantly depending on the cut of meat and preparation method.

Quick Summary

The calories in 100g of cooked chicken vary based on the cut and cooking method. Skinless breast is the leanest, while dark meat and skin add fat and calories. Frying dramatically increases the calorie count compared to healthier methods like baking or boiling.

Key Points

Cut Matters: A 100g portion of cooked, skinless chicken breast is the leanest, with approximately 165 calories, while a skin-on wing can contain over 280 calories.
Skin Adds Calories: Leaving the skin on significantly increases calorie and fat content; for example, skin-on chicken breast has about 30 more calories per 100g than skinless.
Cooking Method is Key: Healthy methods like grilling, baking, and poaching add minimal calories, whereas frying can increase the calorie count dramatically due to absorbed fat.
High Protein Source: All chicken cuts are an excellent source of protein, which is vital for muscle maintenance and can help promote feelings of fullness for effective weight management.
Nutrient-Rich Dark Meat: Fattier, dark meat cuts like thighs and drumsticks offer more iron and zinc than leaner white meat.
Choose Based on Goals: Opt for lean, skinless breast for a low-calorie, high-protein diet, and choose skinless thighs or drumsticks for a flavor-rich, balanced option.

Understanding the Variables: Cut, Skin, and Cooking

Determining the calorie count for cooked chicken is not a one-size-fits-all calculation. The final nutritional value is influenced by several factors, including the specific cut of meat, whether the skin is included, and the method used for cooking. A 100-gram portion of cooked, skinless chicken breast is one of the leanest options, whereas a 100-gram portion of cooked, skin-on chicken wing contains significantly more calories due to its higher fat content. For precise calorie counting, especially for weight management or specific dietary goals, it is crucial to consider these variables.

The Impact of the Chicken Cut

The cut of chicken plays a major role in its caloric and fat composition. The white meat from the breast is leaner and contains more protein per serving, while the dark meat from the thigh and drumstick has a higher fat content, which adds flavor but also increases calories.

Chicken Breast (Skinless, Boneless): Often the top choice for those seeking low-calorie, high-protein meals. A 100g serving of cooked, skinless breast has approximately 165 calories.
Chicken Thigh (Skinless, Boneless): Richer in flavor and juicier due to a higher fat content. A 100g cooked serving contains around 179 calories.
Chicken Drumstick (Skinless): Like the thigh, this is dark meat. A 100g cooked, skinless drumstick provides about 172 calories.

The Caloric Cost of Skin

The inclusion of skin is one of the quickest ways to add a significant number of calories to a chicken dish. While some prefer the taste and texture, the fat in the skin elevates the total calorie and saturated fat count. For example, a 100g serving of roasted skin-on chicken breast has approximately 197 calories, while the same portion without skin is around 165 calories. This difference becomes even more pronounced with fattier cuts.

The Effect of Cooking Method on Calories

The way you prepare chicken is a primary determinant of its final calorie count. Healthy cooking methods add minimal to no extra fat, preserving the meat's natural lean profile. Unhealthy methods, conversely, soak the meat in oil, dramatically increasing its caloric density.

Boiling/Poaching: This method involves cooking the chicken in water or broth. It adds no fat, making it one of the lowest-calorie options. Boiled, skinless chicken breast has a similar calorie count to roasted or grilled versions.
Grilling/Baking/Roasting: These dry-heat methods use minimal oil, if any, keeping the calorie count low. They are excellent for achieving a flavorful, healthy result.
Frying (Especially Deep-Frying): The unhealthiest option, as the chicken absorbs a large amount of frying oil. Fried, breaded chicken can have significantly more calories than baked chicken.

Nutritional Comparison of Cooked Chicken Cuts

To provide a clear picture, here is a comparison table for various 100g servings of cooked chicken based on data from several sources:


Chicken Cut (100g, Cooked)	Calories (kcal)	Protein (g)	Fat (g)
Skinless, Boneless Breast	165	31	3.6
Skinless, Boneless Thigh	179	24.8	8.2
Skinless Drumstick	172	28.3	5.7
Skin-on Thigh	247	26	11
Skin-on Wing	288	24	14.1

Maximizing the Nutritional Benefits of Chicken

Beyond just calories, chicken is a valuable component of a healthy diet because it is an excellent source of high-quality protein, which is essential for muscle growth, tissue repair, and appetite control. Lean protein promotes satiety, helping you feel full for longer and potentially reducing overall calorie intake. Dark meat cuts also offer more iron and zinc. For weight management, focusing on lean cuts and healthier cooking methods can help you meet your protein needs without excessive fat intake.

Healthy Preparation Tips

Here are some practical tips for preparing chicken in a way that aligns with healthy eating principles:

Opt for Lean Cuts: Choose skinless, boneless chicken breasts for the highest protein-to-calorie ratio.
Remove the Skin: Always remove the skin before cooking or eating to cut down on fat and calories.
Use Healthy Cooking Methods: Stick to poaching, steaming, grilling, or baking to avoid adding unnecessary fats.
Minimize Added Fats: If grilling or baking, use only a light coating of a healthy oil like olive oil, or use a non-stick cooking spray.
Flavor with Herbs and Spices: Enhance taste using low-calorie seasonings, marinades, or rubs instead of high-fat sauces or creamy dressings.
Add Vegetables: Pair your chicken with a variety of fiber-rich vegetables to create a balanced, satisfying meal.

Conclusion

While a definitive answer to how many calories are in 100 g of cooked chicken? requires context, a skinless breast is your best bet for a high-protein, low-calorie option. On average, a plain, cooked, skinless chicken breast offers around 165 calories per 100g, while fattier cuts or those cooked with skin and high-fat methods like frying can easily exceed 250 calories. By being mindful of your choice of cut and cooking method, you can effectively control your caloric intake while still enjoying this versatile and nutritious protein source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces) is a standard portion size for a protein source in a meal. This amount is sufficient to provide a significant portion of your daily protein intake, especially when paired with vegetables or whole grains.

Cooking itself does not add calories to chicken, but certain cooking methods do. Dry-heat methods like grilling or baking add very few extra calories, but frying with oil significantly increases the calorie and fat content.

The calorie count for 100g of fried chicken varies widely based on whether it's breaded and how it's cooked. A general estimate is over 246 calories, with some breaded and fried restaurant versions exceeding 380 calories per 100g.

Skinless chicken breast is the best choice for weight loss because it is the leanest cut, offering the most protein for the fewest calories. This helps promote satiety and muscle maintenance during a calorie deficit.

No, dark meat chicken is not unhealthy. While it contains more fat and calories than white meat, it is also a source of important nutrients like iron and zinc. Both can be part of a healthy diet when prepared properly and consumed in moderation.

100g of cooked chicken has more calories than 100g of raw chicken. This is because raw chicken loses water weight during cooking, which concentrates the remaining nutrients (protein and fat). For example, raw skinless breast has about 120 calories per 100g, compared to 165 when cooked.

The healthiest cooking methods for chicken are poaching, steaming, grilling, and baking. These techniques require little to no added fats, keeping the calorie count low and preserving the meat's natural flavor and moisture.