Chicken breast and chicken thigh are the two most common cuts of chicken, and choosing between them is one of the most frequent decisions in everyday cooking. Chicken breast is significantly leaner, lower in calories, and higher in protein per gram, making it the go-to choice for high-protein, calorie-controlled eating. Chicken thigh is higher in fat — including more saturated fat — but delivers a richer flavour and stays juicier during cooking due to its higher fat content. For meal prep and fitness-focused eating, chicken breast is the standard choice. For flavour and versatility in everyday cooking, thighs are hard to beat. Both are nutritious whole foods and both belong in a balanced diet.
⚖️ Nutrition Comparison
| Nutrient | Chicken Breast | Chicken Thigh |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 125.4 kcal | 220 kcal |
| Total Fat | 1.4 g | 19 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.3 g | 4.5 g |
| Cholesterol | 66.1 mg | 94.6 mg |
| Sodium | 74.1 mg | 75.2 mg |
| Total Carbs | 0 g | 1 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 1 g |
| Protein | 26.3 g | 16 g |
* Nutrition data sourced from the USDA Food Central Database. Values have been normalized to match the larger serving size for a fair comparison. Individual products may vary. ✓ indicates the better value for that nutrient.
💬 Nutrition Q&A
Which has more calories, Chicken Breast or Chicken Thigh?
Chicken Breast has 125.4 calories and Chicken Thigh has 220 calories per comparable serving. Chicken Thigh is the more calorie-dense of the two.
Which has more protein, Chicken Breast or Chicken Thigh?
Chicken Breast provides 26.3g of protein versus 16g in Chicken Thigh. Chicken Breast is the higher-protein choice.
Which has less fat, Chicken Breast or Chicken Thigh?
Chicken Breast contains 1.4g of fat compared with 19g in Chicken Thigh. Chicken Breast is the leaner option.
Which has less saturated fat, Chicken Breast or Chicken Thigh?
Chicken Breast has 0.3g of saturated fat and Chicken Thigh has 4.5g. Chicken Breast is lower in saturated fat.
Which has more sodium, Chicken Breast or Chicken Thigh?
Chicken Breast contains 74.1mg of sodium versus 75.2mg in Chicken Thigh. Chicken Thigh is higher in sodium.
Do Chicken Breast or Chicken Thigh contain fiber?
Neither Chicken Breast nor Chicken Thigh is a meaningful source of dietary fiber.
📋 Full Nutrition Details
See the complete nutrition breakdown for each food individually, including vitamins and minerals.
Calories in Chicken Breast → Calories in Chicken Thigh →