Chicken breast vs Chicken thigh
Chicken breast vs Chicken thigh compared per 100 g — use protein density, fat profile, and the goal of the swap to pick.
Macro table
| Metric | Chicken breast | Chicken thigh |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 165 kcal | 209 kcal |
| Protein | 31 g | 26 g |
| Carbs | 0 g | 0 g |
| Fat | 3.6 g | 11 g |
| Fiber | — | — |
| Protein per 100 kcal | 18.8 g | 12.4 g |
Reference macros from AskCalories food pages (USDA FoodData Central where available). Your plate still needs portion and cooking-fat edits.
Decision rule
Pick breast when protein-per-calorie is the job. Pick thigh when flavor and juiciness matter and you can spend the extra fat calories.
Pick Chicken breast when
Tight cuts, meal-prep bowls, or any day where fat budget is the limiter.
Pick Chicken thigh when
Grilling, braising, or recipes that dry out with lean breast.
Caveats
- Skin-on thigh or breaded/fried cuts blow past the skinless comparison.
- Cooked vs raw weighing still matters more than breast vs thigh for many logs.
Food notes
🍗 Chicken breast
The default protein source for cuts and bulks alike. 31g protein per 100g cooked, with minimal calorie cost. Pairs with anything; weight loss-friendly.
🍗 Chicken thigh
Higher fat than breast (11g vs 3.6g) but more forgiving on a grill. Bulks and maintenance-friendly; less ideal for tight cuts.
AskCalories
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