7 Chicken Cuts & Their Health Benefits: Know Before You Pick

By Shreya Goswami

September 13, 2023

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The nutritional value of chicken varies according to the cuts you choose to cook with. Here is everything you need to know about each chicken cut and its health benefits.

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Chicken With Skin On

Chicken with skin on has a lot more calories and fat, and less protein, so it is best to pick chicken cuts without skin for health.

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Breast

The most protein-rich chicken cut, chicken breasts provide low amounts of fat, iron and sodium too.

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Drumsticks

Considered to be dark meat, chicken drumsticks are low in protein, high in fat and sodium, making it delicious but not the best for nutrition.

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Thighs

Another dark meat cut, chicken thighs have high calories, less protein and trace amounts of iron and other nutrients.

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Wings

Low amounts of protein, sodium and iron and high amounts of calories indicate chicken wings might be snackworthy but not the most nutritious.

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Back

Not one of the most popular cuts except in curries, chicken back has plenty of proteins to provide with low fat amounts.

Tenderloin

Also known as chicken tenders, this chicken cut has the lowest protein content with trace amounts of fat and sodium.

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