Ground Chicken vs Ground Turkey: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Ground chicken and ground turkey have notable nutritional differences.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Ground turkey has 27.4 g of protein, which is higher than ground chicken's 23.3 g. Ground chicken contains 189 calories, while ground turkey has 203 calories.

Ground chicken and ground turkey are popular lean meat options, often used in various recipes. Understanding their nutritional profiles can help consumers make informed dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Ground Chicken and Ground Turkey?

Ground chicken is made from chicken meat that has been finely chopped or ground. It is often used as a lower-fat alternative to red meat in various dishes. Ground turkey is made from turkey meat that has been ground into a fine texture. It is commonly used in recipes as a lean protein source.

Ground Chicken vs Ground Turkey: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of ground chicken and ground turkey.

Nutrient (per 100 g) Ground chicken (cooked) Ground turkey (cooked)
Calories 189 kcal 203 kcal
Protein 23.3 g 27.4 g
Carbs 0 g 0 g
Sugar 0 g 0 g
Fat 10.9 g 10.4 g
Fiber 0 g 0 g
Sodium 75 mg 78 mg

Which Is Better, Ground Chicken or Ground Turkey?

For weight loss: Ground chicken has 189 calories, which is lower than ground turkey's 203 calories. Choosing ground chicken may be more beneficial for those focused on calorie reduction.

For muscle and protein: Ground turkey provides 27.4 g of protein, surpassing ground chicken's 23.3 g. This makes ground turkey a better option for those looking to increase protein intake.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both ground chicken and ground turkey contain 0 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of sugar. This makes them suitable options for low-carb or low-sugar diets.

How to Track Ground chicken and Ground turkey Accurately

Portion sizes and macronutrient content can be easy to misjudge, impacting 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 healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Ground turkey has 27.4 g of protein, while ground chicken has 23.3 g.

Which has fewer calories?

Ground chicken has 189 calories, whereas ground turkey has 203 calories.

What is the fat content in ground chicken?

Ground chicken contains 10.9 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the fat content in ground turkey?

Ground turkey contains 10.4 g of fat per 100 g.

Do ground chicken and ground turkey have carbohydrates?

Both ground chicken and ground turkey contain 0 g of carbohydrates.

What is the sodium content in ground chicken?

Ground chicken has 75 mg of sodium per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

  • Ground chicken has 189 calories per 100 g.
  • Ground turkey has 203 calories per 100 g.
  • Ground chicken contains 23.3 g of protein.
  • Ground turkey contains 27.4 g of protein.
  • Both have 0 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of sugar.
  • Ground chicken has 10.9 g of fat, while ground turkey has 10.4 g.

Ready to Transform Your Nutrition Tracking?

Join millions who have transformed their health journey with Nutrola!