What are some chicken breast nutrition facts?

Chicken breast is a good source of selenium, phosphorus, vitamin B6, and niacin.

How many calories does cooked chicken breast have?

A 3.5 ounce (100-gram) serving of chicken breast has about 165 calories, 31 grams of protein, and 3.6 grams of fat. This means that about 80% of chicken breast calories comes from protein and about 20% come from fat.

Can you eat chicken breast every day?

You can eat chicken every day, but it's a good idea to use a variety of cooking methods, such as roasting, grilling, boiling, or baking. Eating just fried chicken can lead to health problems.

What are the health benefits of eating chicken breast?

The health benefits of eating chicken breast include muscle growth and development. It also helps prevent cardiovascular disease and promotes healthy teeth, bones, kidney, liver, and central nervous system function. It can also boost metabolism.

Do chickens have one or two breasts?

A chicken has one anatomical breast. When we buy them at the store, they are often cut in half.

Where did chickens originate?

Researchers believe that chickens were first domesticated about 5,400 years ago in Southeast Asia. There is, however, archaeological evidence of wild chickens from a 12,000-year-old site in northern China.

26 Tasty Chicken Breast Nutrition Facts

By Madeline Thatcher, Associate Writer

Published May 21, 2019

Chicken breast is a tried-and-true lean protein source. But what makes chicken breast so good for you? Check out how many calories are in a chicken breast, the easiest way to cook this type of cut, and many other surprising chicken breast facts.

A cooked 3.5 oz. chicken breast contains 165 calories. It also contains 31 grams of protein and 3.6 grams of fat, making it the healthiest part of the chicken._[9]
Chicken breast is a popular diet food because it is low in fat and a good source of protein, iron, and potassium._[6]
Chickens are not mammals, so they do not have "breasts" that produce milk. However, in the culinary world, a chicken has one anatomical breast. When we buy them at the store, the breast is often cut in half or quartered._[8]
Eating foods high in protein helps with weight loss and weight sustainment by increasing lean body mass while decreasing fat stores._[2]
Boneless, skinless chicken breast is the most expensive cut of chicken._[4]
Most chicken breasts sold in stores are larger than the recommended serving size of 3–3.5 oz._[5]

Chicken breast is a great way to add energy to your day.

The high amount of protein in a chicken breast helps you feel full longer, lowering the chance of habitual snacking or stocking up on less healthy food options._[2]
Chicken breast is low in sodium—a 3.5 ounce serving has 74 milligrams, well under the 1,500 milligram daily recommended limit._[6]
Chicken contains selenium, a compound that helps fight cancer. Selenium may also decrease the likelihood of contracting cardiovascular and neurological diseases._[1]
Phosphorus, a compound that helps kidney function, is also found in chicken breast._[5]
Preparing the right portion of meat is essential to ensuring proper health benefits—if you don’t have a scale, look for cuts about the size of a deck of playing cards._[7]
Some chicken producers inject the meat with salt solutions to preserve them, making checking the sodium content an important part of an accurate calorie count._[5]

Checking the label is important since some brands include additives that can reduce the health benefits of chicken breasts.

Chicken meat gives you a dose of vitamins B6 and B3, which help your body digest carbohydrates and generate energy._[1]
Chicken breast with the skin on contains almost 35 extra calories and 4 grams of extra fat._[6]
Eating chicken breast can help keep your metabolism at a productive rate, ensuring better and longer-lasting weight-loss efforts._[5]
Red meats like beef and pork have more saturated fat than white meats, making poultry, like chicken, a healthier option._[7]
Subway’s oven roasted chicken breast sandwich is the second healthiest meat choice they offer._[10]

Chicken breast has a simple flavor, making it totally customizable for solo meals or group gatherings.

While McDonald’s Chicken Elect Premium Breast Strips may sound healthy, they actually contain over 600 calories and over 30 grams of fat._[10]
Even though chicken breast is a generally healthy choice, eating too much meat is not a healthy way to lose weight._[7]
Chicken wings are the most unhealthy part of the chicken, at 290 calories per wing (with the skin)._[9]
A 3.5 ounce serving of fried chicken has 260 calories; a 3.5 ounce hamburger has 297 calories._[6]
Chicken breast can be kept frozen for up to nine months._[5]
While fattier meats can tolerate a bit of overcooking, chicken breast cannot because it is so lean. In order to maintain flavor without the fat, the chicken should not be overcooked._[4]
Broiling, roasting, or boiling are the healthiest methods of chicken breast preparation._[5]

We all like chicken.

- Malcom X

In order to fully cook a chicken breast, the center of the meat should reach 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius)._[5]
American actor Matt Damon almost died after eating only chicken breasts in preparation for his role in Courage Under Fire._[3]