At a glance
- 21.1 g protein and 152 calories per 3 oz (85 g).
- 13.9 g protein per 100 calories: #90 of 536 foods in our USDA list, #22 of 40 in poultry.
- 0 g fiber and 90 mg sodium per serving.
What is chicken thigh like to eat?
Chicken thighs are dark meat from the leg, sold bone-in or boneless, with or without skin. They stay juicy even when cooked a little longer, which makes them forgiving for roasting, grilling, braising and slow cooking.
How can you eat more chicken thigh?
Try this
Roast with lemon, garlic and potatoesGrill boneless thighs for tacos or bowlsBraise in a tomato sauce with beansShred from the slow cooker for sandwichesIs chicken thigh good on a GLP-1?
Thighs stay moist and tender, and shredded thigh meat in a little sauce is easy to eat in small portions. Protein density matters more when your appetite is small: see protein on a GLP-1.
How does chicken thigh compare?
| Food | Serving | Protein | Calories | Protein per 100 kcal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken thigh | 3 oz | 21.1 g | 152 | 13.9 g |
| Chicken breast | 3 oz | 26.4 g | 140 | 18.8 g |
| Chicken wings | 3 oz | 20.2 g | 216 | 9.4 g |
| Ground chicken | 3 oz | 19.8 g | 161 | 12.3 g |
Close to chicken thigh per calorie: ground bison (14.2 g), trout (14.2 g), lean ground beef (13.8 g), mussels (13.8 g).
Compare more foods with the protein finder, or see protein in every food we cover.
What should you look for when you buy it?
Boneless skinless thighs save prep time, while bone-in packs often cost less per pound; remove the skin if you want a leaner portion.
What's the full nutrition for chicken thigh?
| Nutrient | Per 3 oz (85 g) | Per 100 g | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 152 | 179 | |
| Protein | 21.1 g | 24.8 g | 42% |
| Fat | 7 g | 8.2 g | |
| Saturated fat | 2 g | 2.3 g | 10% |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 0 g | |
| Fiber | 0 g | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugar | 0 g | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 90 mg | 106 mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 8 mg | 9 mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1 mg | 1.13 mg | 6% |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.4 mcg | 0.42 mcg | 17% |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 0.2 mcg | 1% |
USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy: "Chicken, broilers or fryers, thigh, meat only, cooked, roasted". % Daily Value uses the FDA's values for adults (protein 50 g, fiber 28 g, sodium 2,300 mg). "Not listed" means USDA didn't measure it for this food, not that it's zero. Brands differ, so check your label.
