Protein in Chicken Drumsticks: How Much per 100g and per Portion
Roasted chicken drumsticks (meat only) provide 26.6g of protein per 100g. This is a protein-dense food, with 70% of its energy coming from protein. A 100g amount supplies 53% of the UK’s daily reference intake for protein, making it a significant source for anyone tracking their intake.
CoFID 18-334 · Chicken, drumsticks, roasted, meat only
What the numbers say
- Protein per calorie. Roasted drumstick meat provides 17.5g of protein for every 100 kcal. Protein accounts for 70% of the total energy, with the remainder coming from fat.
- Nutritional profile. Per 100g, this food is rated ‘low’ in sugars and saturated fat, and ‘medium’ for both fat and salt according to UK front-of-pack colour-coding.
- Fat and carbohydrates. A 100g amount of the roasted meat contains 5.1g of fat and no carbohydrates or sugars.
- Fibre content. The amount of fibre in roasted chicken drumsticks was not determined in the official UK food composition data.
Chicken Drumsticks macros per 100g
| Per 100g | Amount | % RI | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 152 kcal 640 kJ |
8% | – |
| Protein | 26.6g | 53% | – |
| Fat | 5.1g | 7% | medium |
| of which saturates | 1.4g | 7% | low |
| Carbohydrate | 0g | 0% | – |
| of which sugars | 0g | 0% | low |
| Fibre | n/a | – | – |
| Salt | 0.42g | 7% | medium |
% RI is the share of the adult reference intake used on UK food labels (protein 50g, energy 2,000 kcal). Label colour applies the FSA front-of-pack bands for fat, saturates, sugars and salt per 100g. “Trace” means CoFID reports only a trace amount.
Protein in chicken drumsticks by amount
| Amount | Protein | kcal | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100g | 26.6g | 152 | 0g | 5.1g |
| 150g | 39.9g | 228 | 0g | 7.6g |
| 200g | 53.2g | 304 | 0g | 10.2g |
Example amounts for comparison, not recommended portions. Weigh your own serving.
Amount of chicken drumsticks for 20g or 30g of protein
- To get a 30g serving of protein, you would need to eat 113g of the meat, which would provide 171 kcal and 5.8g of fat.
- The data is for roasted meat only, so for accurate tracking, weigh your portion after cooking and after removing the bone.
- A larger 200g portion of meat provides a substantial 53.2g of protein but also contains 0.84g of salt.
How it compares with other meats
Among all 137 foods analysed on this site, roasted chicken drumstick meat ranks 12th for protein content per 100g. Within the meats category, it places 9th out of 28. Its protein content of 26.6g per 100g is slightly higher than sirloin steak (26.4g) but lower than other popular options like turkey mince (28.6g) and rump steak (31.0g). When comparing protein relative to calories, its value of 17.5g per 100 kcal is identical to rump steak and slightly higher than lean beef (17.4g), ranking it 7th in its group for protein density.
| Per 100g | Protein | kcal | Protein per 100 kcal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Drumsticks | 26.6g | 152 | 17.5g |
| Rump Steak | 31g | 177 | 17.5g |
| Lean Beef | 22.5g | 129 | 17.4g |
| Sirloin Steak | 26.4g | 166 | 15.9g |
| Turkey Mince | 28.6g | 176 | 16.2g |
Quick answers
Are chicken drumsticks a good source of protein?
Yes, roasted chicken drumstick meat is a high-protein food, providing 26.6g of protein per 100g. This amount contributes 53% towards the UK’s daily reference intake for protein.
How much fat is in chicken drumsticks without the skin?
When roasted and eaten as meat only, 100g contains 5.1g of fat and 1.4g of saturated fat. This is classified as ‘medium’ for fat and ‘low’ for saturates on UK food labels.
Do chicken drumsticks contain carbohydrates?
No, according to official UK data, roasted chicken drumstick meat contains no carbohydrates or sugars.
When to speak to a GP or dietitian
- If you have chronic kidney disease, you may have been given a protein target. Check with your renal team or GP before raising your protein intake.
- If tracking protein or calories starts to feel stressful or takes over your day, talk to your GP. Our safety note lists support services.