Chicken, canned, meat only, with broth
Whole food · Poultry Products
This is pre-cooked chicken breast, shredded or chunked, preserved in its own savory broth. The texture is tender yet fibrous, with a clean, savory poultry flavor that's milder than fresh chicken. It's a protein powerhouse with virtually no carbs, making it a lean, ready-to-eat staple.
Calorie split: 55% protein · 0% carbs · 45% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its ultimate convenience and reliability—it's a shelf-stable protein that can be added to salads, soups, or sandwiches in seconds. Its mild flavor makes it a versatile canvas that absorbs seasonings and sauces beautifully.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The texture can become dry or stringy if overcooked, and the flavor is less complex than fresh chicken. It often contains significant sodium for preservation, which those monitoring salt intake should note. To counteract, rinse it under water to reduce sodium by up to 40%, and mix it with a creamy sauce or dressing to restore moisture.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of complete protein (21.77g per 100g)
- Zero carbohydrates, sugars, or fiber
- Long shelf life without refrigeration until opened
- Extremely convenient for quick meal preparation
- Low in fat compared to many other canned meats
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The canning process for chicken was perfected during World War II to provide portable, non-perishable protein for soldiers, revolutionizing home pantries after the war.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 68.7 g |
| Energy | 165 kcal |
| Energy | 690 kj |
| Protein | 21.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 8.0 g |
| Ash | 1.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 14.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.6 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 12.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 111 mg |
| Potassium, K | 138 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 503 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.4 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 15.8 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 2.0 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.13 mg |
| Niacin | 6.3 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.85 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.35 mg |
| Folate, total | 4.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 4.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 4.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 64.0 mg |
| Betaine | 4.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.29 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 34.0 ug |
| Retinol | 34.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 113 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.26 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) | 1.8 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 | 2.2 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 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.6 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.44 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.1 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.44 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.08 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.8 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.5 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.02 g |
| Cholesterol | 62.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.24 g |
| Threonine | 0.90 g |
| Isoleucine | 1.1 g |
| Leucine | 1.6 g |
| Lysine | 1.8 g |
| Methionine | 0.57 g |
| Cystine | 0.30 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.84 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.70 g |
| Valine | 1.1 g |
| Arginine | 1.4 g |
| Histidine | 0.64 g |
| Alanine | 1.3 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.9 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.2 g |
| Glycine | 1.4 g |
| Proline | 1.0 g |
| Serine | 0.76 g |
FAQ
Is canned chicken as nutritious as fresh?
Yes, the protein and mineral content is very similar. The canning process uses heat, which can slightly reduce some heat-sensitive vitamins like B vitamins, but the core macronutrients remain intact.
Why is there so much liquid in the can?
The liquid is chicken broth, added to keep the meat moist during the high-heat canning process and to prevent the contents from drying out. It adds flavor and can be used in recipes.
How long does it last once opened?
Once opened and transferred to a covered container, it should be refrigerated and consumed within 3-4 days. Do not store it in the opened can.
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 1.65 kcal/g · 53% 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: 3.64 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.