Chicken, broilers or fryers, dark meat, drumstick, meat only, cooked, roasted
Whole food · Poultry Products
Photo: Wikipedia
A roasted chicken drumstick offers a satisfyingly juicy, tender bite with a rich, savory flavor concentrated in the dark meat. Its skin crisps to a golden perfection while the meat remains succulent, making it a protein-packed powerhouse with virtually no carbohydrates.
Calorie split: 65% protein · 0% carbs · 35% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore the drumstick for its perfect balance of crispy skin and juicy, flavorful dark meat, which remains tender even with simple cooking methods. It's a universally comforting food, central to everything from backyard barbecues to family roasts.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The skin and dark meat are higher in saturated fat and calories than white meat, which may concern those monitoring fat intake. To enjoy it healthily, practice portion control, remove the skin if desired, and pair it with fiber-rich vegetables to balance the meal.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of complete protein for muscle maintenance
- Rich in B vitamins like niacin and B6 for energy metabolism
- Contains essential minerals such as selenium and phosphorus
- Naturally low in carbohydrates, suitable for low-carb diets
- Provides healthy fats, especially when skin is consumed
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The drumstick muscle is one of the most exercised parts of the chicken, which is why it has more connective tissue and myoglobin, giving it a darker color and richer flavor compared to breast meat.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 69.9 g |
| Energy | 155 kcal |
| Energy | 648 kj |
| Protein | 24.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 5.7 g |
| Ash | 1.1 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 | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 22.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 200 mg |
| Potassium, K | 256 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 128 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.6 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 28.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.10 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.22 mg |
| Niacin | 5.6 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.41 mg |
| Folate, total | 4.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 4.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 4.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 70.3 mg |
| Betaine | 10.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.38 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 6.0 ug |
| Retinol | 6.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 21.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.18 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.08 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.02 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.02 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.05 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 1.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 3.5 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 | 1.5 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 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.1 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.33 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.2 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.33 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.33 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.8 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 1.8 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.98 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 0.97 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.05 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.10 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.02 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.02 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.01 g |
| Cholesterol | 130 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.27 g |
| Threonine | 1.1 g |
| Isoleucine | 1.2 g |
| Leucine | 2.1 g |
| Lysine | 2.3 g |
| Methionine | 0.69 g |
| Cystine | 0.28 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.97 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.91 g |
| Valine | 1.2 g |
| Arginine | 1.7 g |
| Histidine | 0.72 g |
| Alanine | 1.5 g |
| Aspartic acid | 2.4 g |
| Glutamic acid | 4.0 g |
| Glycine | 1.1 g |
| Proline | 0.98 g |
| Serine | 1.0 g |
FAQ
Is chicken dark meat less healthy than white meat?
Dark meat like drumsticks has slightly more fat and calories but also contains more iron, zinc, and B vitamins. It's a nutritious choice when eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
How can I make roasted drumsticks healthier?
You can remove the skin before eating to reduce saturated fat, or bake or grill them instead of frying. Serving with a large portion of steamed or roasted vegetables adds fiber and nutrients.
Why is the meat dark in chicken legs?
The dark color comes from myoglobin, a protein that stores oxygen in muscles used frequently for walking and standing. This is why legs and thighs are darker than the less-used breast muscles.
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 1.55 kcal/g · 63% 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: 0.50 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.