Turkey Breast vs Chicken Thigh: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Turkey breast contains 29.5 g of protein and 136 calories, while chicken thigh has 24.8 g of protein and 179 calories. Turkey breast is higher in protein and lower in calories.

When comparing turkey breast and chicken thigh, both offer unique nutritional profiles. Understanding their differences can help inform dietary choices based on specific health goals.

What Is the Difference Between Turkey Breast and Chicken Thigh?

Turkey breast is the lean meat from the breast of a turkey, known for its high protein content and low fat. It is commonly used in various dishes and is popular among those seeking healthier meat options. Chicken thigh is the dark meat from the thigh of a chicken, recognized for its richer flavor and higher fat content compared to white meat. It is often preferred for its juiciness and tenderness in cooking.

Turkey Breast vs Chicken Thigh: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of turkey breast and chicken thigh nutritional values.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Turkey breast (roasted)	Chicken thigh (roasted)
Calories	136 kcal	179 kcal
Protein	29.5 g	24.8 g
Carbs	0 g	0 g
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Fat	2.0 g	8.2 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	114 mg	106 mg

Which Is Better, Turkey Breast or Chicken Thigh?

For weight loss: Turkey breast has 136 calories, while chicken thigh has 179 calories. This makes turkey breast a better choice for those focusing on calorie reduction.

For muscle and protein: Turkey breast offers 29.5 g of protein, compared to 24.8 g in chicken thigh. Therefore, turkey breast is preferable for those looking to increase protein intake.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both turkey breast and chicken thigh 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 Turkey breast and Chicken thigh Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macronutrient content, which can impact dietary goals. 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 only, not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary recommendations. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein, turkey breast or chicken thigh?

Turkey breast has 29.5 g of protein, while chicken thigh contains 24.8 g of protein.

Which has fewer calories, turkey breast or chicken thigh?

Turkey breast has 136 calories, while chicken thigh has 179 calories.

What is the fat content in turkey breast?

Turkey breast contains 2.0 g of fat per 100 g.

How much sodium is in chicken thigh?

Chicken thigh contains 106 mg of sodium per 100 g.

Do both meats have carbohydrates?

Both turkey breast and chicken thigh have 0 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

What is the sugar content in turkey breast?

Turkey breast contains 0 g of sugar per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Turkey breast has 136 calories per 100 g.
• Turkey breast contains 29.5 g of protein per 100 g.
• Chicken thigh has 179 calories per 100 g.
• Chicken thigh contains 24.8 g of protein per 100 g.
• Both turkey breast and chicken thigh have 0 g of carbohydrates.
• Turkey breast has 2.0 g of fat, while chicken thigh has 8.2 g of fat.