Chicken, broiler, rotisserie, BBQ, thigh, meat only
Whole food · Poultry Products
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a succulent, juicy cut of chicken thigh, cooked on a rotisserie and basted in a tangy, smoky BBQ sauce. The meat is tender and rich, with a deep, caramelized flavor from the slow roasting and glaze. It's a high-protein, zero-carb option, with the fat content contributing to its satisfying mouthfeel.
Calorie split: 50% protein · 0% carbs · 50% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for the perfect marriage of smoky, sweet, and savory BBQ flavor with the inherent juiciness of dark meat. It's a versatile centerpiece for everything from salads and wraps to standalone meals, embodying comfort food with a grilled, backyard vibe.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary concern is the high sodium content often found in commercial BBQ sauces and rotisserie seasonings, which can be problematic for those monitoring blood pressure. To mitigate this, look for low-sodium sauce options or make your own, and pair the chicken with potassium-rich sides like roasted sweet potatoes or steamed greens to help balance sodium levels.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of complete protein for muscle maintenance.
- Naturally zero in carbohydrates and sugars.
- Provides essential nutrients like iron and B vitamins.
- The thigh cut offers more iron and zinc than breast meat.
- Rotisserie cooking allows fat to render, potentially reducing overall fat content.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The rotisserie method, with its constant rotation, is one of the oldest cooking techniques in history, believed to have been used by ancient Romans and medieval cooks to ensure even cooking and self-basting.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 64.3 g |
| Energy | 193 kcal |
| Energy | 808 kj |
| Protein | 24.1 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 10.7 g |
| Ash | 1.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 13.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.97 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 21.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 216 mg |
| Potassium, K | 262 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 335 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.0 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 23.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.06 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.23 mg |
| Niacin | 5.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.18 mg |
| Folate, total | 8.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 8.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 8.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 68.0 mg |
| Betaine | 10.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.45 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 13.0 ug |
| Retinol | 13.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 44.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.48 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.01 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.14 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.01 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.04 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 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 | 2.8 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 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.2 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.48 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.7 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.78 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.9 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.6 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.5 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.09 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.03 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 | 128 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.20 g |
| Threonine | 0.74 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.96 g |
| Leucine | 1.7 g |
| Lysine | 2.0 g |
| Methionine | 0.61 g |
| Cystine | 0.21 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.79 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.66 g |
| Valine | 1.1 g |
| Arginine | 1.4 g |
| Histidine | 0.63 g |
| Alanine | 1.2 g |
| Aspartic acid | 2.0 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.2 g |
| Glycine | 0.97 g |
| Proline | 1.1 g |
| Serine | 0.96 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.12 g |
FAQ
Is rotisserie BBQ chicken thigh a good choice for a low-carb diet?
Yes, it's an excellent low-carb and keto-friendly option as it contains 0g of carbs and sugar per 100g. Just be mindful of the BBQ sauce if it's pre-made, as some brands may add sugar.
How does the nutrition of thigh meat differ from breast meat?
Thigh meat is higher in fat and calories but also contains more iron, zinc, and B vitamins like B12. It's generally more flavorful and moist than the leaner breast meat.
Can I make this at home without a rotisserie?
Absolutely. You can achieve a similar effect by roasting seasoned thighs on a baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) or using a grill with indirect heat, basting with BBQ sauce during the last few minutes of cooking.
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 1.93 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: 1.28 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.