POPEYES, Fried Chicken, Mild, Drumstick, meat and skin with breading
Whole food · Fast Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a single, breaded and deep-fried chicken drumstick from Popeyes, featuring a golden, craggy crust that shatters into a satisfying crunch, giving way to tender, juicy dark meat. The mild seasoning offers a savory, peppery flavor without significant heat. Nutritionally, it's a dense source of protein and fat, with virtually no carbohydrates or fiber.
Calorie split: 28% protein · 13% carbs · 59% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for the iconic, shatteringly crisp breading that locks in the succulent, flavorful dark meat, a hallmark of Louisiana-style fried chicken. It's a beloved comfort food and a staple of American fast-food culture.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat and calorie content, along with a likely high sodium level in the breading, can be a concern for those monitoring heart health or blood pressure. To enjoy mindfully, practice portion control by pairing it with a large, vinegar-based side salad to add volume and fiber, and consider removing some of the breading to reduce fat and sodium intake.
Key benefits
- High-quality complete protein source
- Provides essential minerals like iron and zinc from dark meat
- Calorie-dense for quick energy
- Satisfying texture promotes satiety
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Popeyes' signature chicken is marinated for at least 12 hours in Louisiana-style seasonings before being hand-battered and fried, a process crucial for its distinctive flavor and texture.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 48.1 g |
| Energy | 293 kcal |
| Energy | 1228 kj |
| Protein | 20.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 19.1 g |
| Ash | 2.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 9.8 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 20.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 22.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 171 mg |
| Potassium, K | 261 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 588 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.8 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.12 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 27.9 ug |
| Thiamin | 0.10 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.25 mg |
| Niacin | 5.4 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.23 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.62 ug |
| Retinol | 23.0 ug |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 6.6 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 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.31 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 4.2 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.8 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 8.5 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 1.1 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 1.0 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 7.2 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 6.8 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.07 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 | 2.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 1.9 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.11 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.09 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.02 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 | 0.06 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) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.54 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.48 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.03 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.45 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.05 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.05 g |
| Cholesterol | 108 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.16 g |
| Threonine | 0.67 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.60 g |
| Leucine | 1.2 g |
| Lysine | 0.89 g |
| Methionine | 0.30 g |
| Cystine | 0.24 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.78 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.63 g |
| Valine | 0.74 g |
| Arginine | 1.2 g |
| Histidine | 0.49 g |
| Alanine | 1.2 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.4 g |
| Glutamic acid | 4.8 g |
| Glycine | 1.7 g |
| Proline | 1.6 g |
| Serine | 0.80 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.53 g |
FAQ
Is Popeyes mild chicken spicy?
No, the 'Mild' variety is seasoned with a savory, peppery blend but does not have significant chili heat. For spice, you would choose their 'Spicy' option.
Is the breading gluten-free?
No, the traditional breading contains wheat flour and is not suitable for a gluten-free diet.
How does the nutrition compare to baked chicken?
A fried chicken drumstick has significantly more calories, fat, and sodium than a similarly sized baked or roasted drumstick, primarily due to the oil absorbed during frying and the added breading.
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 2.93 kcal/g · 28% 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: 2.25 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.