Highest-Protein Poultry, Ranked Per Serving (2026)

The highest-protein poultry is skinless, boneless chicken breast with 55.9 g per serving, followed by fried chicken breast with 47.7 g.

This post ranks poultry options based on protein content per typical serving, using data from USDA FoodData Central. The focus is on whole foods that contribute to dietary patterns emphasizing protein intake.

Why Protein Matters for Muscle, Satiety, and Weight Management

Protein is essential for muscle maintenance and growth, as it provides the building blocks necessary for muscle repair. It is also associated with increased satiety, helping to control hunger and manage weight. Including protein-rich foods in your diet can support overall health and well-being. This is educational information, not medical advice.

Highest-Protein Poultry, Ranked Per Serving

Below is a ranked table of poultry options based on protein content per serving.

#	Food	Typical serving	Protein/serving (g)	Protein/100 g (g)	Calories (kcal)	Fat (g)	Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)
1	Chicken Breast (skinless, boneless, braised)	1 piece (174 g)	55.9	32.1	289	5.6	0.0	0.0
2	Fried Chicken Breast (with skin and breading)	1 piece (203 g)	47.7	23.5	467	25.3	12.2	0.2
3	Chicken Giblets (fried)	1 serving (145 g)	47.2	32.5	402	19.5	6.3	0.0
4	Chicken Light Meat (fried)	1 serving (140 g)	45.9	32.8	269	7.8	0.6	0.0
5	Cooked Pheasant	1 serving (140 g)	45.4	32.4	335	16.9	0.0	0.0
6	Chicken Gizzard (simmered)	1 piece (145 g)	44.1	30.4	223	3.9	0.0	0.0
7	Chicken (fried, cooked)	1 piece (140 g)	42.8	30.6	307	12.8	2.4	0.1
8	Popeyes Mild Fried Chicken Breast with Skin and Breading	1 piece (194 g)	42.0	21.7	532	32.0	19.1	0.8
9	Fried Cooked Dark Chicken Meat	1 serving (140 g)	40.6	29.0	335	16.3	3.6	0.0
10	Chicken Meat (Cooked, Roasted)	1 serving (140 g)	40.5	28.9	266	10.4	0.0	0.0
11	Stewed Light Chicken Meat	1 serving (140 g)	40.4	28.9	223	5.6	0.0	0.0
12	Chicken Breast with Skin (stewed)	1 serving (140 g)	38.3	27.4	258	10.4	0.0	0.0
13	Cooked Chicken Dark Meat (roasted)	1 serving (140 g)	38.3	27.4	287	13.6	0.0	0.0
14	Simmered Chicken Capon Giblets	1 serving (145 g)	38.3	26.4	238	7.8	1.1	0.0
15	Popeyes Fried Chicken Breast (skin and breading removed)	1 serving (132 g)	38.3	29.0	207	6.0	0.0	0.0

How Nutrola Tracks Protein for You

Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macronutrients, including protein, from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging.

For related references, see highest-protein foods, highest-protein fish and seafood.

How We Compiled These Numbers

Data is sourced from USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy and Foundation Foods. Each entry reflects typical serving sizes based on USDA household weights, with protein values normalized per 100 g. This information is provided for educational purposes, not medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much protein is in chicken breast?

Skinless, boneless chicken breast contains 55.9 g of protein per serving.

What is the protein content of fried chicken breast?

Fried chicken breast has 47.7 g of protein per serving.

How much protein do chicken giblets provide?

Chicken giblets provide 47.2 g of protein per serving.

What is the protein amount in cooked pheasant?

Cooked pheasant contains 45.4 g of protein per serving.

How much protein is in chicken gizzard?

Chicken gizzard has 44.1 g of protein per serving.

What is the protein content of stewed light chicken meat?

Stewed light chicken meat contains 40.4 g of protein per serving.

Key Takeaways

• Skinless, boneless chicken breast: 55.9 g protein.
• Fried chicken breast: 47.7 g protein.
• Chicken giblets: 47.2 g protein.
• Cooked pheasant: 45.4 g protein.
• Chicken gizzard: 44.1 g protein.
• Stewed light chicken meat: 40.4 g protein.