KFC, Fried Chicken, EXTRA CRISPY, Drumstick, meat only, skin and breading removed
Whole food · Fast Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the lean, protein-packed heart of a KFC Extra Crispy drumstick, stripped of its signature crunchy coating and skin. The meat is tender and juicy with a distinct, savory chicken flavor, but lacks the salty, fatty crunch of the breading. Nutritionally, it's a pure protein powerhouse, delivering nearly 26 grams of protein per 100 grams with zero carbohydrates.
Calorie split: 61% protein · 0% carbs · 39% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it as a convenient, high-protein snack or meal component that satisfies a craving for savory chicken flavor without the carb-heavy coating. It's also prized for its versatility in meal prep, easily shredded or diced into salads, wraps, and soups.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The removal of skin and breading significantly reduces sodium and saturated fat, but the meat itself can still be high in sodium if heavily seasoned. Those monitoring sodium intake should pair it with fresh vegetables and limit added sauces. For a lower-sodium option, consider preparing plain roasted or baked chicken drumsticks at home.
Key benefits
- High-quality, complete protein source
- Very low in carbohydrates
- Naturally gluten-free without breading
- Good source of niacin and selenium
- Provides iron and zinc
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
A single KFC Extra Crispy drumstick (meat only) provides more protein than two large eggs, but with less than half the fat.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 64.8 g |
| Energy | 170 kcal |
| Energy | 713 kj |
| Protein | 25.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 7.4 g |
| Ash | 2.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 16.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 23.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 224 mg |
| Potassium, K | 273 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 526 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.5 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.06 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 30.9 ug |
| Thiamin | 0.05 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.26 mg |
| Niacin | 5.2 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.25 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.63 ug |
| Retinol | 11.0 ug |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.9 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 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.4 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.44 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.9 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.42 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.42 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.4 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 2.4 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.8 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 1.8 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.09 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.09 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.05 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.03 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.03 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.02 g |
| Cholesterol | 137 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.20 g |
| Threonine | 0.85 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.76 g |
| Leucine | 1.6 g |
| Lysine | 1.1 g |
| Methionine | 0.38 g |
| Cystine | 0.30 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.99 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.79 g |
| Valine | 0.94 g |
| Arginine | 1.5 g |
| Histidine | 0.62 g |
| Alanine | 1.5 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.8 g |
| Glutamic acid | 6.1 g |
| Glycine | 2.2 g |
| Proline | 2.1 g |
| Serine | 1.0 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.70 g |
FAQ
Is this the same as plain chicken drumstick meat?
No. This is specifically from KFC's Extra Crispy recipe, meaning the meat has been seasoned and pressure-fried, giving it a distinct flavor and higher sodium content than a plain, home-cooked drumstick.
Why is there 0g of carbs and sugar?
The carbohydrates and sugar in a breaded chicken product come almost entirely from the breading and any sugary glazes. Once removed, you are left with the lean muscle meat, which contains negligible carbohydrates.
Is it healthy to eat fried chicken meat without the skin?
Removing the skin and breading eliminates the majority of the fat and calories, making it a lean protein source. However, the frying process and seasoning still mean it's higher in sodium than plain baked or boiled chicken.
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 1.70 kcal/g · 61% 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: 1.93 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.