Chicken leg, drumstick and thigh, fried, coated, skin / coating eaten
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the classic comfort food: a chicken leg (drumstick and thigh) coated in a seasoned batter or breading and deep-fried to a golden, crispy perfection. The exterior offers a satisfying crunch, giving way to juicy, tender dark meat that's rich in flavor. It's a calorie-dense protein source, packing over 19 grams of protein per 100 grams.
Calorie split: 30% protein · 9% carbs · 61% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the irresistible contrast between the crunchy, seasoned coating and the succulent, flavorful dark meat. It's a universal comfort food, central to everything from American fast food to Japanese karaage and West African suya.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The frying process significantly increases the calorie and fat content, particularly saturated fat. The coating can be high in sodium and refined carbohydrates. To counteract this, pair it with a large, vinegar-dressed salad or steamed vegetables to add fiber and volume, and practice portion control by enjoying it as an occasional treat rather than a daily staple.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of high-quality protein for muscle maintenance.
- Provides essential minerals like selenium and phosphorus.
- Dark meat is a good source of iron and zinc.
- A satisfying, energy-dense meal for active individuals.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The science behind the perfect crunch involves a 'double-dredge' in seasoned flour and buttermilk, creating a craggy surface with more nooks and crannies to crisp up in the hot oil.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 57.0 g |
| Energy | 260 kcal |
| Protein | 19.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 17.2 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 6.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.20 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.10 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 15.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 20.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 173 mg |
| Potassium, K | 207 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 353 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.6 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 21.7 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.14 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.19 mg |
| Niacin | 4.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.32 mg |
| Folate, total | 15.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 10.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 5.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 22.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 56.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.34 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 13.0 ug |
| Retinol | 13.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 16.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.5 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 9.6 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.7 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 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.8 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.75 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 7.2 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.64 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 6.4 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.10 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 4.8 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 4.2 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.40 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.08 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 | 105 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Chicken, broilers or fryers, leg, meat only, cooked, fried — USDA does not publish this profile for Chicken leg.
| Tryptophan | 0.33 g |
| Threonine | 1.2 g |
| Isoleucine | 1.5 g |
| Leucine | 2.1 g |
| Lysine | 2.4 g |
| Methionine | 0.78 g |
| Cystine | 0.36 g |
| Phenylalanine | 1.1 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.96 g |
| Valine | 1.4 g |
| Arginine | 1.7 g |
| Histidine | 0.88 g |
| Alanine | 1.5 g |
| Aspartic acid | 2.5 g |
| Glutamic acid | 4.3 g |
| Glycine | 1.4 g |
| Proline | 1.2 g |
| Serine | 0.98 g |
FAQ
Is fried chicken dark meat less healthy than white meat?
Dark meat (legs, thighs) has a slightly higher fat and calorie content than white meat (breasts), but it also contains more iron, zinc, and B vitamins. The biggest health impact comes from the frying method and coating, not the meat itself.
How can I make a lighter version at home?
You can use an air fryer or oven-bake a breaded chicken leg to achieve a crispy texture with a fraction of the oil. Using whole-grain breadcrumbs or a panko coating can also add texture without deep-frying.
Why is the thigh often preferred over the breast for frying?
Thigh meat is more forgiving; its higher fat content keeps it juicy and flavorful even when cooked to a safe internal temperature, whereas breast meat can easily dry out.
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 2.60 kcal/g · 29% 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: 1.71 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.