How Many Calories in a Chicken Leg? Nutrition Facts & Macros
One chicken leg (114g) has 210 calories
Protein 27.4g · Carbs 0g · Fat 10.2g
A chicken leg is one of the most popular cuts — juicier and more flavorful than breast thanks to its higher fat content. Whether you roast, grill, or bake it, knowing the exact nutrition facts helps you stay on track. Here's everything you need to know about chicken leg calories and macros, based on USDA data. A roasted chicken leg with skin is about 67% water.
770 kJ · per 100g · Water: 66.74 g
Calorie Calculator: Chicken Leg (Roasted)
114 g Chicken Leg (Roasted) contains 210 kcal
Calories by Portion Size
| Portion | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 whole leg (114g) | 210 kcal | 27.4g | 0g | 10.2g |
| 100 grams | 184 kcal | 24g | 0g | 9g |
Chicken Leg (Roasted) — Nutrition Facts
| Chicken Leg (Roasted) | per 100g |
|---|---|
| Calories | 184 kcal |
| Protein | 24.03 g |
| Fat | 8.99 g |
| Carbs | 0 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.45 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3.56 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.85 g |
| Cholesterol | 127 mg |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 98 mg |
| Potassium | 264 mg |
| Calcium | 12 mg |
| Magnesium | 23 mg |
| Phosphorus | 202 mg |
| Iron | 1.09 mg |
| Zinc | 2.07 mg |
| Manganese | 0.02 mg |
| Selenium | 25.7 mcg |
| Vitamin A | 20 mcg |
| Thiamine (B1) | 0.09 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.187 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 6.034 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.413 mg |
| Folate | 5 mcg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.38 mcg |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg |
| Vitamin E | 0.19 mg |
| Vitamin K | 3.9 mcg |
| Water | 66.74 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC ID: 173617) · Data verified September 2026
Variations
Chicken leg without skin
About 161 calories per 100g — 12% fewer than with skin. Fat drops from 8.99g to ~5g. Protein increases slightly to ~26g per 100g. Less crispy but leaner. Best option for calorie-conscious eating while keeping dark meat flavor.
Fried chicken leg
About 240 calories per 100g — 30% more than roasted. Breading adds carbs and frying absorbs oil, increasing fat significantly. One fried leg can have 280-320 kcal depending on breading thickness. Restaurant fried chicken often has even more calories.
Dietary Perspectives
For Weight Loss
At 184 kcal per 100 g, chicken leg is moderately calorie-dense due to higher fat (9.0 g) compared to breast (3.2 g). It provides 24.0 g of protein per 100 g. A whole roasted leg (~114 g, ~210 kcal) is a satisfying protein portion. For lower calories, remove the skin which contains most of the fat.
For Athletic Performance
Chicken leg provides 24.0 g of protein per 100 g for muscle repair. It contains 264 mg of potassium per 100 g. With 0 g of carbohydrates, pair with a carb source post-workout. The slightly higher fat content (9.0 g) compared to breast means slower digestion — better for regular meals than immediately around training.
For Keto
Fully keto-compatible with 0 g of net carbs per 100 g. Chicken leg provides a better fat-to-protein ratio (9.0 g fat, 24.0 g protein) than breast for ketogenic macros. Eating with the skin further increases fat content. A whole roasted leg fits easily into a keto meal plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a chicken leg?
One whole roasted chicken leg with skin (114g) has approximately 210 calories. Per 100g, a chicken leg has 184 calories. This is between chicken breast (151 kcal per 100g) and chicken thigh (221 kcal per 100g). The whole leg includes both the thigh and drumstick portions.
How much protein is in a chicken leg?
A chicken leg has 24.03g of protein per 100g — excellent for a meat cut. One whole leg (114g) provides about 27.4g of protein. This is slightly less than chicken breast (30.54g per 100g) but with more flavor and juiciness. Both dark and white meat chicken are excellent protein sources.
How much fat is in a chicken leg?
A roasted chicken leg with skin has 8.99g of fat per 100g with 2.45g saturated fat. One leg (114g) has about 10.2g of fat. This is more than chicken breast (3.17g fat) but less than a raw chicken thigh (16.61g fat). Removing the skin reduces fat to about 7.8g per 100g.
Chicken leg vs chicken thigh — what's the difference?
Whole leg (thigh+drumstick): 184 kcal, 24.03g protein, 8.99g fat per 100g. Thigh only: 221 kcal, 16.52g protein, 16.61g fat. The whole leg has fewer calories per 100g because the drumstick portion is leaner than the thigh. If you want lower fat, the drumstick end of the leg is the leaner part.
Chicken leg with skin vs without skin?
With skin: 184 kcal, 24.03g protein, 8.99g fat per 100g. Without skin: 174 kcal, 24.22g protein, 7.8g fat. Removing the skin saves about 5% of the calories and a little over a tenth of the fat — less than most people expect, because a leg carries much of its fat in the meat. The skin adds crispiness and flavour, and about a seventh of the saturated fat (2.45g with skin against 2.11g without).
Is chicken leg good for weight loss?
Chicken legs are a reasonable choice for weight loss — at 184 kcal per 100g with 24g protein, they offer good protein for the calories. They're more flavorful than breast, which helps with diet adherence. For lowest calories: remove the skin (saves ~10 kcal per 100g) and roast or grill instead of frying. One leg (210 kcal) with vegetables makes a satisfying, moderate-calorie meal.
Compare with Similar Foods
| Portion | kcal | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Leg (Roasted) | 184 | 24.03g | 0g | 8.99g |
| Chicken Breast | 151 | 30.54g | 0g | 3.17g |
| Chicken Thigh | 221 | 16.52g | 0.25g | 16.61g |
| Chicken Wing (Roasted) | 254 | 23.79g | 0g | 16.87g |
| Egg | 143 | 12.6g | 0.72g | 9.51g |
per 100g
One chicken leg has 210 kcal (114g) with 27.4g protein. At 184 kcal per 100g, the whole leg sits between breast (151 kcal) and thigh alone (221 kcal) — a flavorful mid-range option.