Chicken, broilers or fryers, drumstick, meat and skin, cooked, fried, batter
Whole food · Poultry Products
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the iconic fried chicken drumstick, a crispy, golden-brown piece of poultry where the meat is juicy and the skin is a crunchy, savory shell. The batter coating adds a satisfying textural contrast and a boost of carbohydrates to the protein-rich meat. At 268 calories per 100g, it's a calorie-dense but flavorful source of complete protein and essential fats.
Calorie split: 33% protein · 13% carbs · 54% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for the perfect marriage of textures: the shatteringly crisp, seasoned batter giving way to tender, juicy meat. It's a universal comfort food, deeply embedded in social gatherings, fast-food culture, and home cooking traditions worldwide.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The frying process significantly increases the calorie, fat, and potentially sodium content, which can be a concern for those managing weight or heart health. To counteract, practice portion control (stick to one drumstick), pair it with a large, fiber-rich salad or steamed vegetables to increase fullness and nutrient density, and consider baking or air-frying a homemade version to control oil and salt intake.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of high-quality protein for muscle maintenance and repair.
- Provides essential nutrients like niacin (B3), selenium, and phosphorus.
- The skin and batter offer a quick source of energy from fats and carbs.
- A familiar, comforting food that is widely available and culturally significant.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The practice of coating and deep-frying chicken is believed to have been brought to the American South by Scottish and West African immigrants, combining techniques from both cultures.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 52.8 g |
| Energy | 268 kcal |
| Energy | 1121 kj |
| Protein | 21.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 15.8 g |
| Ash | 1.3 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 8.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.30 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 17.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 20.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 147 mg |
| Potassium, K | 186 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 269 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.3 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.05 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 21.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.11 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.21 mg |
| Niacin | 5.1 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.27 mg |
| Folate, total | 18.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 9.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 9.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 24.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.28 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 26.0 ug |
| Retinol | 26.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 86.0 iu |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.1 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.7 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.3 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 6.4 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.44 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 5.9 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.8 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 3.4 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.19 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.09 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) | 0.03 g |
| Cholesterol | 86.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.25 g |
| Threonine | 0.90 g |
| Isoleucine | 1.1 g |
| Leucine | 1.6 g |
| Lysine | 1.7 g |
| Methionine | 0.58 g |
| Cystine | 0.30 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.88 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.72 g |
| Valine | 1.1 g |
| Arginine | 1.3 g |
| Histidine | 0.65 g |
| Alanine | 1.2 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.9 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.5 g |
| Glycine | 1.3 g |
| Proline | 1.1 g |
| Serine | 0.80 g |
FAQ
Is the skin the main source of calories and fat?
Yes, the skin and the batter coating are where the majority of the fat and extra calories are concentrated, as they absorb oil during frying.
How does the nutrition compare to baked or grilled chicken drumsticks?
Fried chicken drumsticks have significantly more calories, fat, and carbohydrates (from the batter) than their baked, grilled, or roasted counterparts, which are leaner preparations.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
Absolutely. Use an air fryer or a hot oven with a light spray of oil. You can also use whole-grain flour or crushed cornflakes for the coating to add fiber and reduce refined carbs.
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 2.68 kcal/g · 33% calories from protein · 0.3 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: 1.45 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.