How many calories are there in different chicken cuts?
Chicken is one of the most common sources of protein globally. It contains low fat and calories and high protein. You will find chicken cuts in nearly every cuisine in small and large restaurants with many health benefits.
Many red meat consumers switch to chicken due to its relatively neutral taste and blend in different dishes. Each part of chicken contains various nutritional, fat, and calorie content.
These parts include:
-
wings
-
breasts
-
drumsticks
-
thighs
Chicken wings have 43 calories. Most consumers do not think of wings when they order chicken cuts. However, fried chicken calories tend to increase when the wings are deep-fried. Chicken breasts contain 284 calories. This is the most popular part with low-fat content and high protein.
For people trying to lose weight, breasts are an excellent choice. Twenty percent of the calories come from fat and eight percent from protein. Thighs contain 109 calories. They are rich in flavor and more tender than breasts. However, they have higher fat content and are not ideal for losing weight. Drumsticks are the lower portions of the legs. The chicken leg calories from this part lie at 76.
Fried chicken calories go beyond wings, drumsticks, thighs, and breasts. Other cuts of the chicken that people consume are:
-
Light meat which contains 114 calories per 100 grams
-
Dark meat, which has 125 calories
-
The back, which has 137 calories
-
Chicken tenders have 263 calories per 100 grams
Fried chicken calories increase when you include the skin. Drumsticks, wings, and thighs are sold with the skin on.
Calories in different kinds of cooked chicken
The calorie content varies in different kinds of cooked chicken. Chicken can either be fried, steamed, grilled, or boiled. Poaching is a healthy method of preparing chicken that eliminates all oil forms. Nutrients will not be lost since you are cooking them in low heat. The number of calories reduces when using this method since the fat content is reduced significantly.
Grilling is also a healthy method of preparing chicken. In this method, the calorie levels remain the same since only a tiny amount of oil is used. Stir-frying is a method that lowers the calories while preserving the flavor and nutritional value.
Baking and roasting are also healthy methods when not using too much oil. Fried chicken calories tend to rise, mainly when the deep-frying method is used. This makes it unsuitable for consumers trying to lose weight.
Chicken calories differences
Regardless of how the chicken is cooked, the calorie levels of different parts vary. A skinless chicken wing with 21 grams contains 42 calories, while 34 grams of a chicken wing with skin contains 99 calories. Close to 60% of the calories are lost when the skin is removed.
On average, chicken breasts tend to lose an estimated weight of 25%. Chicken tenders also have a high-calorie content with 263 calories per 100 grams. Breasts also have a high-calorie content followed by wings with 203 calories per 100 grams. Light meat has the lowest calorie levels, with an average of 114 calories per 100 grams.
What is the healthiest method of preparing chicken?
Calories and fats in the chicken are relatively low. However, calories tend to rise once you add batter, sauce, cheese, and oils. For instance, a skinless, boneless boiled chicken thigh contains 5.7 grams of fat and 109 calories.
The same thigh includes 8.6 grams of fat and 144 calories when fried in batter. The same thigh includes 9.3 grams of fat and 162 calories when deep-fried in a flour coating. Calorie levels vary depending on the method used to prepare chicken.
The healthiest ways that you should use are:
-
Air frying
-
Steaming
-
Pressure cooking
-
Baking
-
Poaching
Fried chicken calories tend to rise when large amounts of oils and fat are used. To limit calories and fats, people should avoid these unhealthy cooking methods:
-
Deep frying
-
Baking in oils or butter
-
Pan-frying in butter and oils
