Calories in Chicken Drumstick: Full Nutrition Breakdown
A cooked skin-on chicken drumstick has about 172 calories. See the full nutrition breakdown with FAQ.
Chicken drumsticks are a flavorful and affordable cut of dark meat that are popular in cuisines worldwide. They provide a good balance of protein and fat, with the skin contributing additional calories and flavor. Here is a complete breakdown of chicken drumstick nutrition by serving size.
Calories by serving (cooked, roasted):
| Serving | Weight | Calories | Protein | Total Fat | Saturated Fat | Cholesterol |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 drumstick (skinless) | ~76 g | 130 kcal | 24 g | 3.4 g | 0.9 g | 80 mg |
| 1 drumstick (skin-on) | ~96 g | 172 kcal | 28 g | 5.7 g | 1.5 g | 93 mg |
| 3.5 oz (skinless) | ~100 g | 172 kcal | 28 g | 5.7 g | 1.5 g | 93 mg |
| 3.5 oz (skin-on) | ~100 g | 216 kcal | 27 g | 11.2 g | 3.1 g | 92 mg |
| 2 drumsticks (skin-on) | ~192 g | 344 kcal | 56 g | 11.4 g | 3 g | 186 mg |
Chicken drumsticks are a good source of iron, zinc, selenium, and B vitamins, particularly niacin and vitamin B6. The dark meat in drumsticks contains more iron and zinc than white meat cuts like chicken breast.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many calories are in one chicken drumstick?
A single roasted skin-on chicken drumstick weighing about 96 grams contains approximately 172 calories. A skinless drumstick of about 76 grams edible meat has around 130 calories. The exact count varies slightly depending on the size of the drumstick and the cooking method used.
How do skin-on and skinless drumstick calories compare?
Removing the skin from a chicken drumstick reduces the calorie count by roughly 25-30%. Per 3.5 oz, skin-on drumstick meat has about 216 calories with 11.2 g of fat, while skinless has approximately 172 calories with 5.7 g of fat. Removing the skin is a simple way to reduce fat and calorie intake without sacrificing much protein.
How do fried and baked drumstick calories compare?
A baked or roasted chicken drumstick contains about 172 calories, while a breaded and fried drumstick can contain 250-300 calories or more depending on the batter and oil used. Frying adds significant fat calories from the cooking oil absorption, and breading contributes additional carbohydrates that increase the total calorie count.
How do chicken drumstick and thigh calories compare?
A roasted skin-on chicken drumstick has about 172 calories, while a skin-on chicken thigh contains approximately 229 calories due to its larger size and higher fat content. Per 3.5 oz of meat, thighs are slightly higher in fat and calories, but both cuts provide similar amounts of protein and micronutrients as dark meat.
How much protein is in a chicken drumstick?
A single roasted skin-on chicken drumstick provides approximately 28 grams of protein, making it an excellent protein source. Even a smaller skinless drumstick delivers about 24 grams of protein, which covers roughly 40-50% of the daily protein needs for a typical adult.
How many calories are in one chicken drumstick?
How do skin-on and skinless drumstick calories compare?
How do fried and baked drumstick calories compare?
How do chicken drumstick and thigh calories compare?
How much protein is in a chicken drumstick?
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