Chicken, skin (drumsticks and thighs), with added solution, raw
Whole food · Poultry Products
This is the raw, skin-on portion of chicken drumsticks and thighs, often sold with an added solution for moisture and weight. The skin is a thin, fatty layer that crisps beautifully when cooked, offering a rich, savory flavor and a satisfying contrast to the tender meat. Nutritionally, it is a very high-fat, low-carb ingredient, providing nearly all its calories from fat.
Calorie split: 12% protein · 0% carbs · 88% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the incredible flavor and crispy texture the skin provides when roasted, fried, or grilled. It's a cornerstone of comfort food, prized for its ability to transform a simple chicken dish into something deeply satisfying and culturally significant.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The very high fat and calorie content can be a concern for those monitoring calorie intake or managing heart health. To enjoy it mindfully, practice portion control by using the skin as a flavorful garnish rather than the main event, and pair it with high-fiber vegetables to balance the meal.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of dietary fat for energy and satiety.
- Very low in carbohydrates and sugars.
- Provides some protein from the attached meat.
- Rich in flavor, enhancing the taste of dishes.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'added solution' often contains water, salt, and phosphates, which can increase the product's weight by up to 15% and help keep the meat juicy during cooking.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 50.4 g |
| Energy | 386 kcal |
| Energy | 1614 kj |
| Protein | 11.1 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 37.9 g |
| Ash | 0.60 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.01 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 7.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.51 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 7.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 88.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 101 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 139 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.62 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.03 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 10.8 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.04 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.06 mg |
| Niacin | 2.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.11 mg |
| Folate, total | 2.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 2.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 2.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 28.9 mg |
| Betaine | 8.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.68 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 56.0 ug |
| Retinol | 56.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 186 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.44 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.17 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.05 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.06 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 14.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.40 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 0.40 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 19.5 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 10.6 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.22 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 8.3 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.9 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 17.1 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.08 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 2.7 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 2.7 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 14.1 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 14.0 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.16 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 8.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 7.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 7.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.05 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.48 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.38 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.10 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.05 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.12 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.23 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.16 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.02 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.14 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.07 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.07 g |
| Cholesterol | 113 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.06 g |
| Threonine | 0.35 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.32 g |
| Leucine | 0.61 g |
| Lysine | 0.64 g |
| Methionine | 0.19 g |
| Cystine | 0.09 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.34 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.26 g |
| Valine | 0.40 g |
| Arginine | 0.79 g |
| Histidine | 0.23 g |
| Alanine | 0.76 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.83 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.3 g |
| Glycine | 1.4 g |
| Proline | 0.85 g |
| Serine | 0.40 g |
FAQ
Is the 'added solution' safe to consume?
Yes, the added solution (often called 'enhanced' or 'plumped' chicken) is a food-grade mixture of water, salt, and sometimes phosphates or other seasonings. It is regulated for safety and is designed to improve juiciness and shelf life.
How can I make the skin crispy?
Pat the skin completely dry with paper towels before cooking. Use high, dry heat like roasting at 400°F (200°C) or pan-searing. Avoid crowding the pan, and consider starting skin-side down in a cold pan to render the fat slowly.
Can I eat the skin if I'm on a low-carb diet?
Absolutely. Chicken skin is virtually carb-free and is a popular food on ketogenic and other very low-carb diets, as it's a pure source of fat and flavor.
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 3.86 kcal/g · 12% 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.