Chicken, broiler, rotisserie, BBQ, drumstick, meat only
Whole food · Poultry Products
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the lean, juicy meat from a rotisserie-cooked BBQ chicken drumstick, boasting a smoky-sweet crust and tender, pull-apart texture. It's a high-protein, virtually carb-free powerhouse, delivering nearly 28 grams of muscle-fueling protein per 100-gram serving with minimal fat.
Calorie split: 65% protein · 0% carbs · 35% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for the irresistible combination of smoky, caramelized BBQ flavor from the rotisserie method and the satisfying, juicy tenderness of dark meat. It's a convenient, flavorful protein that works in everything from salads to tacos.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The BBQ glaze can be high in added sugars and sodium, which may be a concern for those monitoring blood sugar or salt intake. To counteract, pair it with fiber-rich vegetables to slow sugar absorption and choose low-sodium, homemade glazes when possible.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of complete, high-quality protein for muscle maintenance.
- Very low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for low-carb and ketogenic diets.
- Provides essential B vitamins like niacin and B6 for energy metabolism.
- Contains minerals such as selenium and phosphorus.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The rotisserie cooking method, where meat is skewered and rotated over heat, is believed to date back to the Byzantine Empire, with the name deriving from the French word for 'spit'.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 64.1 g |
| Energy | 172 kcal |
| Energy | 719 kj |
| Protein | 27.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 6.8 g |
| Ash | 1.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 20.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 23.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 248 mg |
| Potassium, K | 291 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 403 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.9 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.09 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 27.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.07 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.23 mg |
| Niacin | 5.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.18 mg |
| Folate, total | 9.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 9.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 9.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 80.1 mg |
| Betaine | 11.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.47 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 10.0 ug |
| Retinol | 10.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 33.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.54 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.15 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.01 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.04 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.01 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 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 | 1.6 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 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.3 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.28 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.8 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.51 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.94 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 155 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.26 g |
| Threonine | 0.90 g |
| Isoleucine | 1.2 g |
| Leucine | 2.2 g |
| Lysine | 2.5 g |
| Methionine | 0.77 g |
| Cystine | 0.28 g |
| Phenylalanine | 1.0 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.86 g |
| Valine | 1.3 g |
| Arginine | 1.8 g |
| Histidine | 0.76 g |
| Alanine | 1.5 g |
| Aspartic acid | 2.5 g |
| Glutamic acid | 4.1 g |
| Glycine | 1.3 g |
| Proline | 1.5 g |
| Serine | 1.2 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.24 g |
FAQ
Is rotisserie chicken healthier than fried chicken?
Generally, yes. Rotisserie cooking allows fat to drip away, resulting in lower fat content than deep-frying. However, the nutritional profile depends heavily on the seasoning and glaze used.
Can I eat this on a keto diet?
The meat itself is perfect for keto due to its high protein and near-zero carbs. However, you must be cautious of the BBQ sauce, as many commercial versions are high in sugar. Opt for sugar-free glazes or seasonings.
How do I store leftover rotisserie chicken?
Remove meat from the bone and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months. Always reheat to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
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 1.72 kcal/g · 64% 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: 1.38 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.