Chicken drumstick, baked or broiled, skin not eaten, from pre-cooked
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A lean, high-protein cut of poultry, the baked or broiled chicken drumstick (skin removed) offers a firm, meaty texture with a savory, mild flavor. It is an excellent source of protein, providing 27.71g per 100g, with virtually no carbohydrates or fiber. This preparation method keeps the fat content relatively low at 6.76g per 100g, making it a staple for health-conscious diets.
Calorie split: 65% protein · 0% carbs · 35% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its satisfying, meaty texture and ability to absorb marinades and seasonings. It's a globally beloved comfort food, often associated with casual, hearty meals and family gatherings.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary concern is the potential for high sodium in pre-cooked versions, which can be an issue for those monitoring blood pressure. To counteract this, rinse the drumstick under water before reheating or choose low-sodium pre-cooked options. Additionally, while lean, the meat is still a source of saturated fat; pairing it with fiber-rich vegetables like broccoli or green beans can create a more balanced meal.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of complete protein for muscle maintenance.
- Low in carbohydrates, suitable for low-carb and ketogenic diets.
- Provides essential vitamins and minerals like B vitamins and selenium.
- A versatile, budget-friendly protein source for meal prep.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The drumstick is one of the most popular chicken cuts in the United States, with Americans consuming over 900 million pounds of chicken wings (which include the drumette) annually, often during the Super Bowl.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 64.1 g |
| Energy | 172 kcal |
| Protein | 27.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 6.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 20.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 23.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 248 mg |
| Potassium, K | 291 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 403 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.9 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.09 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 27.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.07 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.23 mg |
| Niacin | 5.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.18 mg |
| Folate, total | 9.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 9.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 9.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 80.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.47 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 10.0 ug |
| Retinol | 10.0 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) | 0.54 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 | 1.6 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 16:0 | 1.3 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.28 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.8 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.51 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.94 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.06 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 | 155 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 the skin really that bad for you?
The skin is high in saturated fat and calories. Removing it significantly reduces the fat content, as seen in this preparation (6.76g fat per 100g vs. ~10g+ with skin).
Can I reheat pre-cooked chicken drumsticks safely?
Yes, ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Reheating in an oven or air fryer helps maintain texture better than a microwave.
How does baked/broiled compare to fried chicken drumsticks?
Baked or broiled (skinless) is significantly lower in fat and calories than fried chicken, which adds oil and often includes the skin and breading.
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 1.72 kcal/g · 64% 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: 1.38 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.