Chicken drumstick nutrition: 100 g of roasted drumstick meat without skin has about 155 calories, 24.2 g of protein, 5.7 g of fat and 130 mg of cholesterol. With skin, the same weight has about 191 calories and 10.2 g of fat.
These figures describe cooked meat, not raw weight and not the bone. Always cook chicken to 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part, as explained in the safety section.
Chicken Drumstick Nutrition Facts per 100 g and 3 oz
The table uses USDA data for roasted chicken drumsticks. The first three columns are meat only, without skin. The last column adds the skin. Percent Daily Value (%DV) uses current FDA reference amounts.
| Nutrient | Skinless, per 100 g | Skinless, 3 oz (85 g) | %DV (85 g) | With skin, per 100 g |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 155 | 132 | n/a | 191 |
| Protein | 24.2 g | 20.6 g | n/a | 23.4 g |
| Total fat | 5.7 g | 4.8 g | 6% | 10.2 g |
| Saturated fat | 1.5 g | 1.3 g | n/a | about 2.9 g |
| Cholesterol | 130 mg | 111 mg | n/a | about 130 mg |
| Sodium | 128 mg | 109 mg | 5% | about 123 mg |
| Potassium | 256 mg | 218 mg | 5% | about 250 mg |
| Iron | 1.1 mg | 1.0 mg | 5% | about 1.1 mg |
| Zinc | 2.6 mg | 2.2 mg | n/a | about 2.4 mg |
| Selenium | 28.1 mcg | 23.9 mcg | n/a | not listed |
| Niacin | 5.6 mg | 4.8 mg | n/a | not listed |
The skinless calories sit within about 5% of the 4/4/9 macro estimate (148 calories). As a result, the row set is consistent.
Why Published Figures Differ
- Skin on or off. Skin lifts the energy from 155 to 191 calories per 100 g and nearly doubles the fat, from 5.7 g to 10.2 g. Protein barely changes.
- Cooking method. USDA lists roasted, fried, braised and rotisserie drumsticks as separate foods. Flour coating and frying oil change the totals.
- Raw or cooked. Cooking removes water, so a gram of cooked meat holds more protein than a gram of raw meat.
- Per drumstick or per 100 g. One drumstick includes bone, and the page I read gave no gram weight for it. This page therefore uses 100 g and 3 oz. Weigh your cooked meat to scale the values.
Similarly, a drumstick of the chicken kind is a different food from the drumstick vegetable (moringa). Their nutrients are not interchangeable.
Skin On or Skin Off: What Changes
Removing the skin cuts about 36 calories and 4.5 g of fat per 100 g. It does not change cholesterol much, because cholesterol sits mainly in the meat. Cooking with the skin on keeps the meat moist, and you can remove the skin before eating.
What the Evidence Says About Drumstick Claims
| Claim | Where it stands | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Drumsticks are high in protein | Supported | 24.2 g per 100 g skinless, roasted. |
| Drumsticks supply selenium, zinc and niacin | Supported | 28.1 mcg selenium, 2.6 mg zinc and 5.6 mg niacin per 100 g. |
| Drumsticks are rich in iron | Not supported | About 5% of the Daily Value per 3 oz. |
| Drumsticks are low in calories and promote weight loss | Not supported | 155 to 191 calories per 100 g. No food promotes weight loss alone. |
| Selenium in drumsticks boosts the immune system | Overstated | Selenium is needed for normal function, but no food boosts immunity. |
| B vitamins in drumsticks boost energy | Overstated | They help release energy from food. They do not add energy beyond calories. |
| Drumsticks contain vitamins A, C and K and fibre | Not supported | That describes the moringa drumstick vegetable. Chicken has no fibre. |
| Drumsticks are healthy without limits | Depends | Skin, frying and seasoning raise fat and sodium. People told to limit cholesterol should ask their care team. |
Chicken Drumstick Safety: Cooking, Storage and Special Diets
Temperature. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service says to cook all chicken to 165°F, measured with a food thermometer. Check the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. Colour does not show safety.
Washing. Do not wash raw chicken. Rinsing does not remove bacteria and can spread them to other foods and surfaces. Only cooking kills them.
Storage. Raw chicken parts keep 1 to 2 days in a refrigerator at 40°F or below. Cooked leftovers keep 3 to 4 days.
UK guidance. The UK Food Standards Agency gives its own cooking and washing advice at food.gov.uk. Check it if you cook in the UK, because rules and units differ.
Cholesterol and sodium. People who are told to limit cholesterol or sodium should ask their care team how much chicken fits. Fried and pre-seasoned drumsticks usually add sodium.
Chicken Drumstick Nutrition FAQ
Roasted skinless drumstick meat has about 155 calories per 100 g. With skin it has about 191. Weigh the cooked meat to scale these figures.
About 24.2 g per 100 g of roasted skinless meat, or about 20.6 g in a 3 oz (85 g) portion.
Skinless meat has fewer calories and about half the fat per 100 g. Cholesterol stays similar. Frying and heavy seasoning change the picture more than skin does.
About 130 mg per 100 g of roasted meat, or about 111 mg in a 3 oz portion. People told to limit cholesterol should ask their care team.
Plain roasted meat has about 128 mg per 100 g, or 5% of the Daily Value per 3 oz. Fried, marinated or pre-seasoned products can have much more, so read the label.
The USDA says 165 F (74 C), measured with a food thermometer in the thickest part away from the bone. Colour is not a reliable guide.
No. The USDA says rinsing does not destroy bacteria and can spread them around the kitchen. Cooking is what makes chicken safe.
The USDA says 3 to 4 days at 40 F or below. Raw chicken parts keep only 1 to 2 days.
No single food causes weight loss. Drumsticks are protein-rich, and skin and frying raise calories. A registered dietitian can tailor advice to you.
Related Reading
- How to read nutrition labels
- Balance protein, carbs and fats
- Heart disease prevention: 10 preventive measures
- Burger King nutrition facts
Sources
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, drumstick meat only, roasted, FDC 172376. Values read from a mirror: getfoodfacts.com
- Skin-on values (aggregator, flagged): Recipal, drumstick meat and skin, roasted
- USDA FSIS: Chicken from Farm to Table
- FDA: Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels
This article is for general information and is not medical or dietetic advice. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about your own needs, especially if you manage cholesterol, blood pressure or kidney disease.
Last reviewed and rewritten October 2026.
