Chicken drumstick, grilled without sauce, skin eaten
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A grilled chicken drumstick with its skin on is a classic, savory treat. The meat is tender and juicy, while the skin becomes delightfully crisp and golden, adding a rich, fatty flavor. It's a protein-packed food with a substantial amount of healthy fats from the skin.
💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its simple, satisfying flavor and the textural contrast between the crispy skin and succulent meat. It's a versatile, portable, and culturally ubiquitous comfort food found at barbecues, family dinners, and street stalls worldwide.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The skin significantly increases the fat and calorie content, which may be a concern for those monitoring fat intake. The grilling process can produce compounds like heterocyclic amines (HCAs) if charred. To counteract, avoid excessive charring, trim excess skin if desired, and pair with a fiber-rich vegetable side to balance the meal.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of high-quality protein for muscle maintenance.
- Provides essential nutrients like B vitamins, selenium, and phosphorus.
- The skin adds flavor and helps keep the meat moist during cooking.
- A low-carb, zero-sugar option suitable for various diets.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
A single chicken drumstick with skin contains roughly the same amount of protein as a 3-ounce (85g) serving of steak, but with a different fat profile.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 64.5 g |
| Energy | 204 kcal |
| Protein | 22.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 11.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 11.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 21.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 190 mg |
| Potassium, K | 240 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 427 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.3 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 26.2 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.09 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.20 mg |
| Niacin | 5.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.37 mg |
| Folate, total | 4.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 4.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 4.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 65.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.38 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 12.0 ug |
| Retinol | 12.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 11.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.56 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 5.1 ug |
| 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 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.2 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.59 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.9 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.61 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.8 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.4 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.17 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.10 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) | 0.01 g |
| Cholesterol | 126 mg |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Is the skin on a chicken drumstick healthy to eat?
The skin is a concentrated source of fat and calories, but it also contains nutrients like collagen and some vitamins. It can be part of a balanced diet in moderation, especially if you enjoy the flavor and texture it provides.
How does grilling affect the nutrition of a chicken drumstick?
Grilling is a relatively low-fat cooking method as excess fat can drip away. However, cooking at very high heat or charring the skin can create potentially harmful compounds. Marinating and avoiding direct flame can help minimize this.
What's the best way to get crispy skin on a grilled drumstick?
Pat the drumstick completely dry before grilling. Start with medium heat to render the fat slowly, then increase the heat towards the end to crisp the skin without burning it.