Chicken drumstick, NS as to cooking method, skin not eaten
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A lean, protein-packed cut from the lower part of the chicken leg, offering a tender, slightly firmer texture than the breast. When cooked without the skin, it provides a clean, savory chicken flavor with a satisfying, meaty bite. It's a nutritional powerhouse, delivering a high concentration of protein with minimal fat and zero carbohydrates.
Calorie split: 65% protein · 0% carbs · 35% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love the drumstick for its perfect balance of flavor and convenience—it's more flavorful and forgiving than breast meat, yet still lean when skinned. Its iconic shape makes it a fun, handheld food that's central to countless comfort dishes worldwide.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is that chicken skin, which is often cooked with the drumstick, is high in saturated fat and calories. For those monitoring sodium intake, be mindful of pre-marinated or processed drumsticks. To enjoy it healthily, always remove the skin after cooking (it peels off easily) and choose low-sodium seasonings like herbs, spices, and citrus.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of high-quality, complete protein
- Very low in carbohydrates and sugars
- Rich in essential minerals like selenium and phosphorus
- Provides B vitamins, especially niacin and B6
- A versatile, budget-friendly lean protein source
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'drumstick' gets its name from its resemblance to a drumstick used by percussionists, a term that became common in the 18th century.
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 chicken drumstick healthy without the skin?
Yes, it's an excellent lean protein source. Removing the skin significantly reduces the fat and calorie content while retaining most of the protein and minerals.
How does the nutrition compare to chicken breast?
Drumstick meat (skinless) is slightly higher in fat and calories than breast meat but also contains more iron and zinc. Both are outstanding sources of lean protein.
What's the best way to cook it for maximum nutrition?
Gentle, moist-heat methods like poaching, steaming, or braising preserve nutrients well. Grilling or baking with herbs (without added fats) is also excellent. Always remove the skin after cooking for a leaner meal.
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.