KFC, Fried Chicken, ORIGINAL RECIPE, Drumstick, meat only, skin and breading removed
Whole food · Fast Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the lean, protein-packed core of KFC's iconic Original Recipe drumstick, with the crispy, seasoned skin and breading removed. It offers a tender, juicy texture with a subtle, savory flavor from the chicken itself, having shed the signature 11 herbs and spices coating. Nutritionally, it's a powerhouse of high-quality protein with virtually no carbohydrates, making it a focused source of lean animal protein.
💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the familiar, comforting taste of well-seasoned chicken, even in its stripped-down form. Its versatility makes it a quick protein boost for salads, wraps, or simply enjoyed on its own.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is the likely high sodium content from the brining and cooking process, which can be a concern for blood pressure management. To counteract this, pair it with fresh, potassium-rich vegetables (like a side salad or steamed greens) and drink plenty of water. Those monitoring saturated fat intake should note the 7.66g per 100g, though much is reduced without the skin.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of complete, high-quality protein (26.3g per 100g).
- Very low in carbohydrates and contains no sugar or fiber.
- Provides essential nutrients like niacin, vitamin B6, and selenium.
- Offers a leaner protein option when skin and breading are removed.
- Convenient, pre-cooked source of animal protein.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'Original Recipe' seasoning blend is famously kept in a vault at KFC's headquarters, and only two suppliers in the world are trusted to mix it.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 63.8 g |
| Energy | 175 kcal |
| Energy | 730 kj |
| Protein | 26.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 7.7 g |
| Ash | 2.2 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.11 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 16.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.0 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 23.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 223 mg |
| Potassium, K | 273 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 524 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 | 5.3 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.25 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.64 ug |
| Retinol | 11.0 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.8 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 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.3 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.43 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.8 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.41 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.41 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.3 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 2.3 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 | 2.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 1.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.07 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 | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.04 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.03 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.02 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 |
| Tryptophan | 0.20 g |
| Threonine | 0.87 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.77 g |
| Leucine | 1.6 g |
| Lysine | 1.1 g |
| Methionine | 0.38 g |
| Cystine | 0.30 g |
| Phenylalanine | 1.0 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.81 g |
| Valine | 0.96 g |
| Arginine | 1.5 g |
| Histidine | 0.63 g |
| Alanine | 1.5 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.8 g |
| Glutamic acid | 6.2 g |
| Glycine | 2.2 g |
| Proline | 2.1 g |
| Serine | 1.0 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.70 g |
FAQ
Is this the healthiest part of KFC chicken?
Removing the skin and breading significantly reduces calories, fat, and sodium, making the meat itself the leanest, most protein-dense component available from their fried chicken menu.
How does the nutrition compare to raw chicken drumstick meat?
The cooking process and KFC's preparation (likely involving a brine or seasoning) mean this cooked version has higher sodium and slightly different fat content than plain, raw chicken drumstick meat, though the protein content is comparable.
Can I use this for meal prep?
Yes, it's a convenient pre-cooked protein. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and add it cold to salads or reheat gently to avoid drying it out.