Chicken drumstick, baked or broiled, skin eaten, from pre-cooked
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A baked or broiled chicken drumstick with its skin eaten offers a deeply savory, juicy bite with a satisfyingly crisp, rendered exterior. Its nutrition is remarkably lean, packing a significant protein punch (25.65g per 100g) with virtually zero carbohydrates or sugar, making it a cornerstone of low-carb and high-protein diets. The flavor is pure, unadulterated chicken, enhanced by the rich, umami notes from the caramelized skin.
Calorie split: 50% protein · 0% carbs · 50% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its primal, satisfying combination of crispy skin and tender meat, offering a hearty, flavorful experience that feels both indulgent and wholesome. Its versatility makes it a staple for quick weeknight dinners, backyard barbecues, and comfort food classics across countless cultures.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The skin, while flavorful, is high in saturated fat and calories, which can be a concern for those monitoring fat intake or managing heart health. To counteract this, consider removing the skin before eating to significantly reduce fat content, or pair the drumstick with a large portion of non-starchy vegetables like roasted broccoli or a leafy green salad to add fiber and balance the meal. For those with high sodium concerns, be mindful of any added salt or marinades used during cooking.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of high-quality, complete protein for muscle maintenance and satiety.
- Extremely low in carbohydrates and sugar, ideal for ketogenic or low-carb dietary patterns.
- Provides essential micronutrients like niacin (B3), phosphorus, and selenium.
- A simple, whole-food protein source with minimal processing.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The drumstick is the most muscular part of the chicken's leg, containing two bones (tibia and fibula), which is why it's often the juiciest and most flavorful cut when cooked properly.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 61.4 g |
| Energy | 206 kcal |
| Protein | 25.6 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 11.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.12 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.12 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 22.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.0 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 23.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 245 mg |
| Potassium, K | 279 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 392 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.5 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 25.7 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.06 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.22 mg |
| Niacin | 6.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.20 mg |
| Folate, total | 9.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 9.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 9.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 73.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.49 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 17.0 ug |
| Retinol | 17.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.51 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| 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 | 2.9 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 | 2.3 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.50 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.8 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.80 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.9 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.5 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.4 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.04 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 | 149 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Chicken, broilers or fryers, dark meat, drumstick, meat only, raw — USDA does not publish this profile for Chicken drumstick.
| Tryptophan | 0.22 g |
| Threonine | 0.92 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.93 g |
| Leucine | 1.7 g |
| Lysine | 1.8 g |
| Methionine | 0.56 g |
| Cystine | 0.23 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.78 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.73 g |
| Valine | 0.94 g |
| Arginine | 1.4 g |
| Histidine | 0.58 g |
| Alanine | 1.2 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.9 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.2 g |
| Glycine | 0.89 g |
| Proline | 0.78 g |
| Serine | 0.81 g |
FAQ
Is baked chicken drumstick skin healthy to eat?
The skin is a source of healthy fats and flavor but is high in saturated fat and calories. Eating it in moderation is fine for most people, but removing it reduces fat and calorie intake significantly.
How does baking or broiling affect the nutrition compared to frying?
Baking or broiling allows excess fat to drip away, resulting in a leaner final product compared to frying, which adds oil and increases fat and calorie content.
Can I eat chicken drumsticks on a low-carb diet?
Yes, chicken drumsticks are an excellent choice for low-carb diets like keto, as they contain virtually no carbohydrates (0.12g per 100g) and are high in protein.
What's the best way to ensure the skin gets crispy when baking?
Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels, season generously, and bake at a high temperature (around 425°F/220°C) on a wire rack to allow air circulation and fat rendering.
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 2.06 kcal/g · 50% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.1 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: 1.41 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.