Chicken Breast vs Drumstick (Cooked)
Compared on one consistent basis: per 100 g, from USDA data behind each food page.
Chicken Breast (Broiler Or Fryers, Cooked) vs Chicken Drumstick (Broilers Or Fryers, Cooked): nutrition per 100 g
| Per 100 g | Chicken Breast (Broiler Or Fryers, Cooked) | Chicken Drumstick (Broilers Or Fryers, Cooked) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 166 kcal | 156 kcal |
| Protein | 32.1 g | 23.9 g |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 0 g |
| Fat | 3.2 g | 6 g |
| Fibre | 0 g | 0 g |
| Allergens | None listed | None listed |
Vitamins and minerals per 100 g
| Nutrient | Chicken Breast (Broiler Or Fryers, Cooked) | Chicken Drumstick (Broilers Or Fryers, Cooked) |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium, Ca | 6 mg | 12 mg |
| Choline, total | 117 mg | 72 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.04 mg | 0.06 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.49 mg | 0.94 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 32 mg | 22.4 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg | 0.02 mg |
| Niacin | 9.45 mg | 5.05 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.58 mg | 1.1 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 241 mg | 184 mg |
| Potassium, K | 343 mg | 239 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.19 mg | 0.18 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 31.9 ug | 27.9 ug |
| Sodium, Na | 47 mg | 117 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.1 mg | 0.09 mg |
| Vitamin A, IU | 33 iu | 24 iu |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 10 ug | 7 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.2 ug | 0.41 ug |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.92 mg | 0.37 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0 ug | 0.1 ug |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.96 mg | 2.54 mg |
Chicken Breast (Broiler Or Fryers, Cooked) is higher in protein. Chicken Drumstick (Broilers Or Fryers, Cooked) is higher in fat. That makes Chicken Breast (Broiler Or Fryers, Cooked) more relevant when you want protein for fullness or recovery, and Chicken Drumstick (Broilers Or Fryers, Cooked) when you want a richer, higher-fat option.
Full nutrition facts: Chicken Breast (Broiler Or Fryers, Cooked) · Chicken Drumstick (Broilers Or Fryers, Cooked)
Bottom line
Per 100 g, Chicken Breast (Broiler Or Fryers, Cooked) provides 166 kcal, 32.1 g protein and 3.2 g fat; Chicken Drumstick (Broilers Or Fryers, Cooked) provides 156 kcal, 23.9 g protein and 6 g fat.
That is a difference of 10 kcal and 2.8 g of fat per 100 g, before anything is added in the pan.
Cooked and compared fairly, the breast is the protein cut and the drumstick is the cheap one. A drumstick also comes with skin and bone, so the edible weight on the plate is smaller than what you bought. For batch cooking, breast gives predictable portions; drumsticks give flavour and a lower bill.
In short: for protein per calorie, chicken breast. If that is not the deciding factor, pick by the dish, the price and how you plan to cook it.
Want a different pair? Use the food comparison tool to compare any two foods from the same category.
Values are per 100 g from the USDA FoodData Central records behind each food page and are rounded; brands and preparation change the numbers. This comparison is educational, not medical advice.