At a glance
- 19.8 g protein and 161 calories per 3 oz (85 g).
- 12.3 g protein per 100 calories: #109 of 536 foods in our USDA list, #24 of 40 in poultry.
- 0 g fiber and 64 mg sodium per serving.
What is ground chicken like to eat?
Ground chicken is a mild, light-colored ground meat that takes on whatever seasoning you give it. It works in meatballs, lettuce wraps, burgers and sauces as a lighter-tasting swap for ground beef.
How can you eat more ground chicken?
Try this
Make lettuce wraps with ginger, garlic and soyRoll into small meatballs for soup or pastaBrown for tacos with peppers and onionsShape into burgers with grated zucchiniIs ground chicken good on a GLP-1?
Small, soft meatballs or crumbled chicken in broth are easy to eat in small amounts, and mild seasoning can help when strong flavors are off-putting. Protein density matters more when your appetite is small: see protein on a GLP-1.
How does ground chicken compare?
| Food | Serving | Protein | Calories | Protein per 100 kcal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground chicken | 3 oz | 19.8 g | 161 | 12.3 g |
| Ground turkey | 3 oz | 23 g | 187 | 12.3 g |
| Chicken breast | 3 oz | 26.4 g | 140 | 18.8 g |
| Lean ground beef | 3 oz | 24.6 g | 178 | 13.8 g |
Close to ground chicken per calorie: spinach (13.2 g), cottage cheese (13.1 g), tofu (12 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?
Ground chicken can mix white and dark meat, so check the label for the lean percentage, and cook it all the way through.
What's the full nutrition for ground chicken?
| Nutrient | Per 3 oz (85 g) | Per 100 g | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 161 | 189 | |
| Protein | 19.8 g | 23.3 g | 40% |
| Fat | 9.3 g | 10.9 g | |
| Saturated fat | 2.6 g | 3.1 g | 13% |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 0 g | |
| Fiber | 0 g | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugar | 0 g | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 64 mg | 75 mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 7 mg | 8 mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.8 mg | 0.93 mg | 4% |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.4 mcg | 0.51 mcg | 17% |
| Vitamin D | Not listed | Not listed |
USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy: "Chicken, ground, crumbles, cooked, pan-browned". % 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.
