Chicken Thigh Health Benefits and Nutrition Facts

Nutritional summary

Chicken thighs provide a complete profile of essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein that the body cannot produce on its own), including high levels of lysine and leucine which are critical for muscle maintenance .
Poultry meat is consistently recognized by international consensus as a core component of balanced dietary patterns that are linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity .
Compared to breast meat, chicken thighs contain higher levels of sodium and certain minerals like zinc and iron, though they typically have slightly lower concentrations of potassium and magnesium .
The fatty acid profile of chicken meat, including the levels of polyunsaturated fats, can vary significantly based on the specific breed of the bird and the type of feed it was provided during growth .

Interesting fact

The darker color of chicken thighs compared to breasts is due to higher levels of myoglobin, a protein that stores oxygen in muscles used for frequent activity like walking.

Standout nutrients

ELITE

SOURCE

Niacin

ELITE

SOURCE

Protein

ELITE

SOURCE

Pantothenic acid

ELITE

SOURCE

Selenium

166

kcal per 100g

Protein21.5g

Fat9.33g

Sugar0.03g

Fat breakdown

Polyunsat1.53g

Monounsat4.03g

Saturated2.49g

Trans0.02g

Seasonality

Not available

Diet

Gluten FreeDairy FreeKetoLow FodmapPaleo

Sustainability

Moderate

Poultry has a significantly lower carbon footprint than beef or lamb but higher than plant-based proteins.

Confidencehigh

Storage

Refrigerate

1–2 days

Store in the coldest part of the fridge in original packaging.

Freeze

6–12 months

Wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn.

Flavour

Data & Sources

Harmonized from 3 validated sources

French Food Database

1 contributing source food

McCance & Widdowson

1 contributing source food

USDA

USDA FoodData Central

2 contributing source foods

Claim citations

What is the relationship between dietary patterns consumed and risk of cardiovascular disease? | Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review

[3]nesr.usda.gov

Role of poultry meat in a balanced diet aimed at maintaining health and wellbeing: an Italian consensus document - PMC

[7]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[PDF] Dietary Patterns and Growth, Body Composition, and Risk of Obesity

[8]nesr.usda.gov

The Energy and Nutritional Value of Meat of Broiler Chickens Fed with Various Addition of Wheat Germ Expeller - PMC

[10]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Poultry Meat and Eggs as an Alternative Source of n-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids for Human Nutrition - PMC

[12]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Coverage

Nutrients

FoodCompass

61.0

Version

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