POPEYES, Fried Chicken, Mild, Drumstick, meat only, skin and breading removed
Whole food · Fast Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a single, de-boned, skinless chicken drumstick from Popeyes, a lean, high-protein cut that's been fried but stripped of its indulgent coating. The meat itself is tender, juicy, and carries a subtle, savory flavor from the mild seasoning that penetrates the flesh during cooking. Nutritionally, it's a powerhouse of protein with virtually zero carbohydrates, making it a starkly different profile from the full, breaded piece.
Calorie split: 62% protein · 0% carbs · 38% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it as a no-fuss, high-protein snack or meal component that delivers the familiar savory taste of fried chicken without the extra carbs and calories from the breading and skin. Its versatility makes it easy to toss into salads, grain bowls, or eat on its own.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
While the breading is removed, the frying process means the meat can retain a higher sodium content than plain roasted chicken, which is a consideration for those monitoring salt intake. Additionally, as a processed fast-food item, it may contain additives or preservatives not found in home-cooked versions. To counteract, pair it with fresh, potassium-rich vegetables like steamed broccoli or a side salad to help balance sodium levels, and be mindful of overall daily sodium from other sources.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of lean protein (26.5g per 100g)
- Virtually carbohydrate-free (0.04g per 100g)
- Low in sugar (0g)
- Provides essential nutrients like niacin, vitamin B6, and selenium
- Convenient pre-cooked protein source
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Popeyes was founded in Arabi, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans, and its original name was 'Chicken on the Run' before being renamed after the character Popeye Doyle from the film 'The French Connection'.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 64.2 g |
| Energy | 170 kcal |
| Energy | 713 kj |
| Protein | 26.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 7.1 g |
| Ash | 2.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.04 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 16.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 25.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 206 mg |
| Potassium, K | 321 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 478 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.6 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.05 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 34.6 ug |
| Thiamin | 0.11 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.34 mg |
| Niacin | 6.2 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.30 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.85 ug |
| Retinol | 10.0 ug |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.3 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 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.5 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.61 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.1 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.45 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.44 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.6 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 2.5 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 | 1.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.84 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 0.81 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.04 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 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.07 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 | 0.13 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.11 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.01 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.10 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 | 127 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.20 g |
| Threonine | 0.88 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.78 g |
| Leucine | 1.6 g |
| Lysine | 1.1 g |
| Methionine | 0.38 g |
| Cystine | 0.31 g |
| Phenylalanine | 1.0 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.81 g |
| Valine | 0.97 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 | 0.69 g |
FAQ
Is this the same as a plain boiled or baked drumstick?
No. While the skin and breading are removed, the meat was deep-fried as part of the original preparation. This means it will have a different texture and a higher fat content than a drumstick that was only baked or boiled.
Can I use this in recipes that call for cooked chicken?
Absolutely. It's a convenient, pre-cooked protein. Simply shred or dice it and use it in salads, sandwiches, wraps, or casseroles. Be aware it will have a seasoned, slightly salty flavor.
How does the nutrition compare to the full, breaded drumstick?
Removing the skin and breading drastically reduces calories, fat, and carbohydrates. A full Popeyes mild drumstick with skin and breading has roughly 170 kcal, 12g fat, and 8g carbs per 100g, compared to this meat-only version's 170 kcal, 7.14g fat, and 0.04g carbs.
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 · 62% 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: 1.49 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.