Chicken is an affordable source of lean protein that can be prepped in countless ways.

Image Credit: VeselovaElena/iStock/GettyImages

In This Article

    Chicken Breast
  
    Chicken Fillet
  
    Breaded Chicken Cutlet
  
    Rotisserie Chicken
  
    Dark Meat vs. White Meat
  Chicken offers a rich source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. The poultry — especially white meat — is lower in both total fat and saturated fat than red meat, but with a similar protein content.

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 Chicken is a tasty, versatile and healthy alternative to red meat.

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  Chicken Breast Nutrition

The breast is the leanest cut of the chicken, and it contains the least amount of sodium and cholesterol. Here’s the breakdown of chicken breast nutrition per 1 oz. cooked, according to the USDA:

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45 calories 0.9 g fat 0.3 g saturated fat

32.9 mg cholesterol 13.3 mg sodium 0 g carbs 0 g fiber 0 g sugar

9.1 g protein 17% Daily Value (DV) vitamin B3 15% DV vitamin B6 9% DV vitamin B5

There are 9.1 grams of protein in chicken breast per ounce. If you’re eating one chicken breast (about 3 oz. of chicken), you’ll get 134 calories and about 27 grams of protein for only 2.8 grams of total fat.

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 Related Reading These 11 Easy Chicken Recipes All Clock in Under 500 Calories

Chicken Fillet Nutritional Information In 2003, chicken became more popular than beef in the United States for the first time in a century, with the average American consuming 60 pounds annually. According to a market research study conducted at Oklahoma State University, the majority of this chicken is consumed in the form of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, often sold under the name chicken fillets.

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 One 4-ounce grilled chicken fillet contains:

164 calories 5.9 g fat 1 g saturated fat

77.1 mg cholesterol 496.7 mg sodium 2.7 g carbs 0.1 g fiber 0 g sugar

25.2 g protein 52% DV vitamin B3 13% DV vitamin B6 14% DV vitamin B2

Breaded Chicken Cutlet Calories and Nutrition Chicken cutlets are a culinary blank canvas — you can cover them in sauce or breading or grill the cutlets and serve them on a sandwich. Chicken cutlets can also be suitable for a variety of diet plans, as they are low in fat and calories.

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 One 4-ounce breaded chicken cutlet contains the following, according to the USDA:

201 calories 5 g fat 2 g saturated fat

90.7 mg cholesterol 612.4 mg sodium 4 g carbs 0 g fiber 0 g sugar

32.1 g protein

About 68 percent of the calories in a breaded chicken cutlet comes from protein, 24 percent come from fat and the remainder from carbs. Consuming protein is vital for your health because it helps build and repair your body’s cells and tissues.

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 What Is a Chicken Cutlet? Chicken cutlets are thin strips of meat from chicken breasts that can be used in a variety of recipes.

Rotisserie Chicken Nutrition (Without Skin) Many people find it difficult to cook healthy meals for themselves on a regular basis. If you find yourself pressed for time, eating precooked rotisserie chicken can be a healthy alternative to many of the available fast food options. A 4-ounce serving of rotisserie chicken breast contains:

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146 calories 3.3 g fat 0.7 g saturated fat

80.5 mg cholesterol 254 mg sodium 0 g carbs 0 g fiber 0 g sugar

28 g protein

Dark Meat vs. White Meat Chicken Nutrition When it comes to light meat or dark meat, everyone has a taste preference. But if your first choice is the drumstick or the wing, you’ll get more total fat and saturated fat. Knowing the nutritional differences between the two types of poultry might help you determine how they fit your diet plan.

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 See how chicken breast (white meat) compares to the chicken thigh (dark meat) below. Values are per a 4-ounce cooked portion. About 58 percent of the calories in dark meat chicken come from protein (the rest from fat) while 79 percent of the calories in white meat chicken come from protein.

Dark Meat White Meat Calories 263 187 Total Fat 16.7 g 4 g Saturated Fat 4.7 g 1.1 g Cholesterol 150.8 mg 96.4 mg Carbs 0 g 0 Protein 26.4 g 35.2 Vitamin B3 41% DV 97% DV Vitamin B5 28% DV 22% DV Zinc 18% DV 10% DV Iron 7% DV 7% DV Source: USDA

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  references
  
      PubMed Health; Tips For Losing Weight; October 2009
    
      USDA: "Lean Chicken Breast (Cooked)"
       




  references
  
      PubMed Health; Tips For Losing Weight; October 2009
    
      USDA: "Lean Chicken Breast (Cooked)"
    




Chicken is an affordable source of lean protein that can be prepped in countless ways.

Image Credit: VeselovaElena/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: VeselovaElena/iStock/GettyImages

  • Chicken Breast

  • Chicken Fillet

  • Breaded Chicken Cutlet

  • Rotisserie Chicken

  • Dark Meat vs. White Meat

  • 0.3 g saturated fat

  • 0 g fiber

  • 0 g sugar

These 11 Easy Chicken Recipes All Clock in Under 500 Calories

  • 1 g saturated fat

  • 0.1 g fiber

  • 0 g sugar

  • 2 g saturated fat

Chicken cutlets are thin strips of meat from chicken breasts that can be used in a variety of recipes.

  • 0.7 g saturated fat

Dark Meat White Meat Calories 263 187 Total Fat 16.7 g 4 g Saturated Fat 4.7 g 1.1 g Cholesterol 150.8 mg 96.4 mg Carbs 0 g 0 Protein 26.4 g 35.2 Vitamin B3 41% DV 97% DV Vitamin B5 28% DV 22% DV Zinc 18% DV 10% DV Iron 7% DV 7% DV

Source: USDA

Source: USDA

      PubMed Health; Tips For Losing Weight; October 2009
    
      USDA: "Lean Chicken Breast (Cooked)"