Meat & Poultry
Chicken Breast
Overview
Why eat chicken breast?
Roasted skinless chicken breast is about as lean as protein gets, packing 31 g of protein into 165 calories per 100 g. Alongside that protein come B vitamins, selenium and phosphorus, which makes it an easy base for meals when you want to stay full without much fat.
Good to know: It is naturally low in sodium at 74 mg per 100 g, so most of the salt in a chicken dish comes from brines, marinades and breading rather than the meat itself.
Serious protein, modest calories
A half breast (86 g) delivers 26.7 g of protein, 53% of the Daily Value, supporting muscle repair, enzyme production and a lasting sense of fullness.
Rich in niacin and B6
Per 100 g it supplies 86% DV of niacin and 35% DV of vitamin B6, both of which help your body turn food into usable energy.
Selenium for antioxidant defence
With 27.6 µg of selenium per 100 g, half the Daily Value, chicken breast supports thyroid hormone function and the body's own antioxidant enzymes.
Overview drafted with AI from USDA FoodData Central figures. For education, not medical advice.
Nutrition facts
What’s in chicken breast?
Calories
165kcal
Protein
31g
Carbs
0g
Fat
3.6g
Fiber
0g
Sugars
0g
Minerals
- Calcium15 mg1%
- Iron1 mg6%
- Magnesium29 mg7%
- Phosphorus228 mg18%
- Potassium256 mg5%
- Sodium74 mg3%
- Zinc1 mg9%
- Copper0.05 mg5%
- Selenium28 µg50%
Vitamins
- Vitamin A6 µg1%
- Vitamin D0.1 µg1%
- Vitamin E0.27 mg2%
- Vitamin K0.3 µg0%
- Thiamin (B1)0.07 mg6%
- Riboflavin (B2)0.11 mg9%
- Niacin (B3)14 mg86%
- Vitamin B60.6 mg35%
- Folate4 µg1%
- Vitamin B120.34 µg14%
Other compounds
- Omega-3 EPA0.01 g
- Omega-3 DHA0.02 g
% Daily Value is based on FDA reference amounts for adults. Bars cap at 100%.
Side by side, per 100 g
Chicken Breast vs Chicken Thigh
| Nutrient | Chicken Breast | Chicken Thigh |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 165 kcal | 179 kcal |
| Protein | 31 g | 25 g |
| Fat | 3.6 g | 8.2 g |
| Saturated fat | 1 g | 2.3 g |
| Calcium | 15 mg | 9 mg |
| Iron | 1 mg | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium | 29 mg | 24 mg |
| Potassium | 256 mg | 269 mg |
| Vitamin E | 0.27 mg | 0.18 mg |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 µg | 0.2 µg |
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Source: USDA FoodData Central, “Chicken, broilers or fryers, breast, meat only, cooked, roasted” (SR Legacy, FDC ID 171477).View the USDA record ↗ (opens in a new tab).