Fried Chicken vs Chicken Breast: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Fried chicken has 33.4 g of protein and 187 calories, while chicken breast has 31.0 g of protein and 165 calories. Fried chicken is higher in protein and calories.

Fried chicken and chicken breast are popular poultry options, each with distinct nutritional profiles. This comparison explores their calories, protein, and fat content per 100 grams.

What Is the Difference Between Fried Chicken and Chicken Breast?

Fried chicken is a dish made from chicken that has been battered and deep-fried, resulting in a crispy exterior. It is often seasoned and served as a comfort food. Chicken breast is a lean cut of poultry that is known for its high protein content and low fat. It is commonly grilled, baked, or poached for a healthy meal.

Fried Chicken vs Chicken Breast: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of fried chicken and chicken breast.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Fried chicken breast	Chicken breast (roasted, skinless)
Calories	187 kcal	165 kcal
Protein	33.4 g	31.0 g
Carbs	0.5 g	0 g
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Fat	4.7 g	3.6 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	79 mg	74 mg

Which Is Better, Fried Chicken or Chicken Breast?

For weight loss: Fried chicken has 187 calories, while chicken breast has 165 calories. Choosing chicken breast may be better for weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Fried chicken contains 33.4 g of protein, compared to 31.0 g in chicken breast. Fried chicken is higher in protein.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both fried chicken and chicken breast have very low carbohydrate content, with fried chicken at 0.5 g and chicken breast at 0 g. Neither contains sugar.

How to Track Fried chicken and Chicken breast Accurately

Portion sizes and macronutrient content can be easily misjudged, affecting dietary choices. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a professional for personalized dietary recommendations. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Fried chicken has 33.4 g of protein, while chicken breast has 31.0 g. Therefore, fried chicken has more protein.

Which has fewer calories?

Chicken breast has 165 calories, while fried chicken has 187 calories. Hence, chicken breast has fewer calories.

What is the fat content in fried chicken?

Fried chicken has 4.7 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in chicken breast?

Chicken breast contains 74 mg of sodium per 100 g.

How many carbs are in fried chicken?

Fried chicken contains 0.5 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

Does fried chicken have sugar?

Fried chicken contains 0 g of sugar per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Fried chicken has 187 calories per 100 g.
• Chicken breast has 165 calories per 100 g.
• Fried chicken contains 33.4 g of protein.
• Chicken breast contains 31.0 g of protein.
• Fried chicken has 4.7 g of fat.
• Chicken breast has 3.6 g of fat.