Chicken drumstick, fried, coated, skin / coating not eaten, from fast food / restaurant
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the classic, juicy chicken drumstick from a fast-food bucket, where the crispy coating has been removed, leaving the tender, savory meat. It's a lean protein powerhouse with a satisfying, moist texture and a mild, savory flavor profile. Nutritionally, it's a high-protein, moderate-fat option with minimal carbohydrates.
Calorie split: 41% protein · 12% carbs · 47% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the nostalgic, comforting flavor of savory, well-seasoned chicken and the satisfying, tender bite of dark meat. It's a versatile staple that can be eaten on its own, added to salads, or shredded for sandwiches.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is the high sodium content typical of fast-food preparation, which can be a concern for blood pressure. The skinless coating removal reduces fat, but the meat itself is still a source of dietary cholesterol. To counteract, pair it with a potassium-rich side like steamed broccoli or a leafy salad to help balance sodium, and practice portion control by sticking to one drumstick as part of a balanced meal.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of lean protein for muscle maintenance.
- Low in carbohydrates and sugar.
- Provides essential vitamins like B6 and B12.
- Contains minerals like selenium and phosphorus.
- A convenient, pre-cooked protein source.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The drumstick is anatomically the lower part of the chicken's leg (the tibiotarsus), and it's called a 'drumstick' because its shape, with a bulb of meat at one end and a bone handle, resembles a drumstick used for percussion.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 58.7 g |
| Energy | 213 kcal |
| Protein | 21.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 11.2 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 6.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.20 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.10 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 20.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 22.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 179 mg |
| Potassium, K | 244 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 546 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.1 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 27.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.14 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.28 mg |
| Niacin | 5.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.22 mg |
| Folate, total | 21.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 10.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 10.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 28.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 67.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.60 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 | 5.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 5.2 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.3 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 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.6 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.55 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.5 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.36 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.1 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.9 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.28 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 109 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 skinless, coating-removed drumstick healthier than the coated version?
Yes, significantly. Removing the fried coating eliminates a large portion of the added carbohydrates, calories, and fats from the breading and frying oil, making the plain meat a much leaner protein source.
How does the nutrition of dark meat drumstick compare to white meat breast?
Dark meat like drumstick has slightly more fat and calories per gram than white breast meat, but it also contains more iron, zinc, and B vitamins. The difference is modest, and both are excellent protein sources.
Can I eat this on a low-carb diet?
Absolutely. With only about 0.6g of carbs per 118g drumstick (after coating removal), it fits perfectly into low-carb and ketogenic dietary patterns.
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 2.13 kcal/g · 41% calories from protein · 0.2 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: 2.24 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.