Chicken, broilers or fryers, drumstick, meat and skin, cooked, stewed
Whole food · Poultry Products
Photo: Wikipedia
A stewed chicken drumstick with skin is a comforting, savory staple where the meat becomes tender and succulent, easily pulling from the bone. The skin renders during cooking, adding a rich, gelatinous mouthfeel and amplifying the deep, savory flavor of the poultry. Nutritionally, it's a potent source of high-quality protein and provides essential minerals like selenium and phosphorus.
Calorie split: 51% protein · 0% carbs · 49% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for the profound comfort-food satisfaction it delivers—the tender, flavorful meat and rich skin are deeply savory. Its versatility makes it a global staple, equally at home in a simple home-cooked stew, a spicy curry, or a classic fried preparation.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The skin significantly increases the saturated fat and calorie content, which may be a concern for those monitoring fat intake or managing heart health. To counteract this, you can easily remove the skin before eating to reduce calories and saturated fat, or opt for a cooking method like roasting or air-frying that allows excess fat to render off. It is also a common allergen (poultry).
Key benefits
- Excellent source of complete protein for muscle maintenance
- Rich in B vitamins like niacin (B3) and B6 for energy metabolism
- Provides essential minerals including selenium and phosphorus
- Contains healthy monounsaturated fats from the skin and meat
- A satisfying, low-carb option that promotes satiety
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The drumstick is named for its resemblance to a percussion mallet, and it contains two bones (the tibia and fibula), though the smaller fibula is often removed in processing.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 65.1 g |
| Energy | 204 kcal |
| Energy | 854 kj |
| Protein | 25.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 10.6 g |
| Ash | 0.82 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 11.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 20.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 141 mg |
| Potassium, K | 184 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 76.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.6 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.02 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 17.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.05 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.19 mg |
| Niacin | 4.2 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.86 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.19 mg |
| Folate, total | 7.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 7.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 7.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 59.2 mg |
| Betaine | 5.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.22 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 27.0 ug |
| Retinol | 27.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 91.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.27 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 5.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 4.0 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.9 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.1 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.60 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.1 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.57 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.4 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.09 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.0 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.09 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.11 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.04 g |
| Cholesterol | 83.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.29 g |
| Threonine | 1.1 g |
| Isoleucine | 1.3 g |
| Leucine | 1.9 g |
| Lysine | 2.1 g |
| Methionine | 0.68 g |
| Cystine | 0.34 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.99 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.82 g |
| Valine | 1.2 g |
| Arginine | 1.6 g |
| Histidine | 0.75 g |
| Alanine | 1.5 g |
| Aspartic acid | 2.3 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.7 g |
| Glycine | 1.5 g |
| Proline | 1.2 g |
| Serine | 0.89 g |
FAQ
Is stewed chicken drumstick healthy?
It's a nutritious source of protein and minerals. Its healthiness depends on preparation and portion; stewing with vegetables adds nutrients, while removing the skin reduces saturated fat and calories.
How do I get the meat off the bone easily?
Ensure it's fully cooked (internal temp 165°F/74°C). The meat should be tender and pull away cleanly. Use a fork and knife, or simply hold the bone and gently twist the meat off.
Can I use the broth from stewing?
Absolutely! The broth is rich in flavor and nutrients. For a less fatty broth, let it cool and skim the solidified fat from the surface before using or storing.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.04 kcal/g · 50% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.41 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.