Meat & Poultry
Chicken Thigh
Overview
Why eat a chicken thigh?
Chicken thigh is dark meat, which means slightly more fat than breast but also more flavour and a little more iron and zinc. One skinless roasted thigh delivers 28.7 g of protein for about 208 calories, along with selenium, niacin and vitamin B6, making it a practical centrepiece for everyday meals.
Good to know: One thigh carries 154 mg of cholesterol (51% DV) and 2.68 g of saturated fat, so leaving the skin off and roasting rather than frying keeps it lighter.
Serious protein per thigh
One skinless roasted thigh provides 28.72 g of protein, 57% of the Daily Value, supporting muscle repair, immune proteins and a lasting sense of fullness.
Selenium and B vitamins
A single thigh covers 57% of the Daily Value for selenium and 45% for niacin, nutrients involved in antioxidant defence and turning food into usable energy.
Zinc, B6 and B12
Dark meat supplies 20% DV zinc, 32% DV vitamin B6 and 20% DV vitamin B12 per thigh, supporting immune function and healthy red blood cells.
Overview drafted with AI from USDA FoodData Central figures. For education, not medical advice.
Nutrition facts
What’s in a chicken thigh?
Calories
179kcal
Protein
25g
Carbs
0g
Fat
8.2g
Fiber
0g
Sugars
0g
Minerals
- Calcium9 mg1%
- Iron1.1 mg6%
- Magnesium24 mg6%
- Phosphorus230 mg18%
- Potassium269 mg6%
- Sodium106 mg5%
- Zinc1.9 mg17%
- Copper0.07 mg7%
- Selenium27 µg49%
Vitamins
- Vitamin A8 µg1%
- Vitamin D0.2 µg1%
- Vitamin E0.18 mg1%
- Vitamin K3.9 µg3%
- Thiamin (B1)0.1 mg8%
- Riboflavin (B2)0.22 mg17%
- Niacin (B3)6.2 mg39%
- Vitamin B60.46 mg27%
- Folate5 µg1%
- Vitamin B120.42 µg18%
Other compounds
- Omega-3 ALA0.06 g
- Omega-3 EPA<0.01 g
- Omega-3 DHA<0.01 g
% Daily Value is based on FDA reference amounts for adults. Bars cap at 100%.
Side by side, per 100 g
Chicken Thigh vs Chicken Breast
| Nutrient | Chicken Thigh | Chicken Breast |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 179 kcal | 165 kcal |
| Protein | 25 g | 31 g |
| Fat | 8.2 g | 3.6 g |
| Saturated fat | 2.3 g | 1 g |
| Calcium | 9 mg | 15 mg |
| Iron | 1.1 mg | 1 mg |
| Magnesium | 24 mg | 29 mg |
| Potassium | 269 mg | 256 mg |
| Vitamin E | 0.18 mg | 0.27 mg |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 µg | 0.1 µg |
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Source: USDA FoodData Central, “Chicken, broilers or fryers, thigh, meat only, cooked, roasted” (SR Legacy, FDC ID 172388).View the USDA record ↗ (opens in a new tab).