Chicken, dark meat, drumstick, meat only, with added solution, raw
Whole food · Poultry Products
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the lean, succulent meat from a raw chicken drumstick, often plumped with an added solution for moisture. It boasts a rich, savory flavor and a firm yet tender texture that holds up well to various cooking methods. Nutritionally, it's a powerhouse of protein with minimal fat and zero carbohydrates, making it a staple for high-protein diets.
Calorie split: 72% protein · 0% carbs · 28% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its deep, savory flavor and satisfying texture that's more flavorful than white meat. Its incredible versatility makes it a go-to for everything from simple roasts to complex curries and stews.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The added solution can significantly increase sodium content, which may be a concern for those monitoring blood pressure. To counteract this, rinse the meat before cooking and pair it with potassium-rich vegetables like leafy greens or sweet potatoes to help balance sodium levels.
Key benefits
- High-quality complete protein source
- Low in carbohydrates and sugar
- Contains essential B vitamins like B6 and B12
- Rich in minerals such as phosphorus and selenium
- Versatile base for countless global recipes
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The dark meat in drumsticks gets its color from myoglobin, a protein that stores oxygen in muscles, which is why it's more flavorful and juicy than white meat.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 77.7 g |
| Energy | 106 kcal |
| Energy | 444 kj |
| Protein | 19.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 3.3 g |
| Ash | 0.99 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 9.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.72 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 16.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 143 mg |
| Potassium, K | 192 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 152 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.0 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.06 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 22.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.10 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.24 mg |
| Niacin | 4.9 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.39 mg |
| Folate, total | 3.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 3.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 3.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 75.3 mg |
| Betaine | 11.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.42 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 8.0 ug |
| Retinol | 8.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 28.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 102 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.40 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.11 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 7.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 9.5 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.95 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.68 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.22 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.3 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.19 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.19 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.1 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 1.1 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 | 0.80 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.62 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 0.61 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 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 | 0.09 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.01 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.01 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 | 92.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.20 g |
| Threonine | 0.83 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.84 g |
| Leucine | 1.5 g |
| Lysine | 1.7 g |
| Methionine | 0.50 g |
| Cystine | 0.20 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.70 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.66 g |
| Valine | 0.85 g |
| Arginine | 1.2 g |
| Histidine | 0.52 g |
| Alanine | 1.0 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.7 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.9 g |
| Glycine | 0.80 g |
| Proline | 0.71 g |
| Serine | 0.73 g |
FAQ
What does 'with added solution' mean?
It means the chicken was injected or soaked in a saltwater solution (often with other flavorings or phosphates) to increase moisture and weight, which can raise the sodium content.
Is dark meat less healthy than white meat?
Not necessarily. Dark meat like drumsticks has slightly more fat and calories but also higher levels of iron, zinc, and B vitamins, making it a nutrient-dense choice.
How should I store raw chicken drumsticks?
Keep them in the coldest part of your refrigerator (below 40°F/4°C) and use within 1-2 days, or freeze for up to 9 months for best quality.
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 1.06 kcal/g · 72% 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: 0.79 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.