In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleNutrition FactsAre They Healthy?
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
Nutrition Facts
Are They Healthy?
If you are a dark meat lover, you know that there aren’t many things that taste as good as biting into a piece of juicy and flavorful chicken thigh. And with a little know-how, enjoying them as part of an overall healthy diet is entirely possible.
A chicken thigh is a super-tender and flavorful protein source that is a fantastic addition to dishes likecasseroles,gumbosandpasta dishes. Unfortunately, chicken thighs have gotten a bad rap over the years. While it is true that the thigh does contain more fat than its white meat counterparts, this cut of meat has somehow become labeled as a lesser choice if you are following a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Thankfully, we now know that chicken thighs contain a slew of good-for-you nutrients and can absolutely be a healthy addition to your diet.
15 Chicken Thigh Recipes You’ll Want to Make All Summer Long
Chicken Thigh Nutrition
Here’s the nutrition information for a 3-ounce serving of skinless chicken thigh.
If you don’t remove the skin before you chow down, for a roasted chicken thigh, you will consume 278 calories, 18 grams of fat and 5.5 g of saturated fat per 3-ounce serving
Chicken is considered to be acomplete protein, meaning that it contains all nine essential amino acids that our bodies cannot make on their own. Plus, all cuts of chicken, including thighs, have tryptophan, an amino acid that is responsible for raising serotonin, or the “feel good” neurochemical that can help support a healthy mood.
And if you are using chicken thighs inyour beloved chicken soupwhen you are feeling under the weather, you will be giving your body important hydration from the broth along with immune-supporting nutrients like zinc.
Leigh Beisch
Pictured Recipe:Lemon Chicken-and-Egg Soup
Are Chicken Thighs Healthy?
Finding ways to consume nutrient-dense and cost-effective foods can be a challenge for many people. And while it is true that chicken thighs tend to contain more fat and cholesterol than breast meat (which has 3 g total fat and 0.7 g saturated fat per 3-ounce serving),both can easily fit into the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations for fat intake.This ranges from 20% to 35% of total calories from fat, with 10% or less of total calories coming from saturated fat.
Ultimately, chicken thighs can be a healthy addition to your diet as long as they’re prepared in a good-for-you way. If you are trying to limit your fat intake, prepare chicken thighs in ways that don’t use much added oil, like grilling, baking or stir-frying. Also be mindful of the sodium that you add during cooking. Herbs and spices are a great salt-free way to boost a dish’s flavor.Pair chicken thighswith whole grains and vegetables to balance out the nutrition and give your meal more staying power.
The Bottom Line
If you are on team dark meat and prefer the taste of juicy chicken thighs to that of leaner chicken breast, feel free to enjoy it. Between their protein and the boatload of nutrients that they provide, including chicken thighs in an overall healthy diet is A-OK. Just focus on trying to prepare the thighs in a healthy way and pairing them with vegetables and whole grains for extra staying power. With recipes like ourHoney-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Carrots & BroccoliorSkillet Lemon Chicken & Potatoes with Kale, you can enjoy a nutrient-packed meal that is both simple and satisfying.
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Chicken thigh, boneless, skinless, raw.U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Chicken, broilers or fryers, thigh, meat and skin, raw.Roth W, Zadeh K, Vekariya R, Ge Y, Mohamadzadeh M.Tryptophan metabolism and gut-brain homeostasis.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(6):2973. doi:10.3390/ijms22062973U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Chicken breast, boneless, skinless, raw.U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.Moon J, Koh G.Clinical evidence and mechanisms of high-protein diet-induced weight loss.J Obes Metab Syndr. 2020;29(3):166-173. doi:10.7570/jomes20028Groenendijk I, Grootswagers P, Santoro A, et al.Protein intake and bone mineral density: Cross-sectional relationship and longitudinal effects in older adults.J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2023;14(1):116-125. doi:10.1002/jcsm.13111
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Chicken thigh, boneless, skinless, raw.U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Chicken, broilers or fryers, thigh, meat and skin, raw.Roth W, Zadeh K, Vekariya R, Ge Y, Mohamadzadeh M.Tryptophan metabolism and gut-brain homeostasis.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(6):2973. doi:10.3390/ijms22062973U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Chicken breast, boneless, skinless, raw.U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.Moon J, Koh G.Clinical evidence and mechanisms of high-protein diet-induced weight loss.J Obes Metab Syndr. 2020;29(3):166-173. doi:10.7570/jomes20028Groenendijk I, Grootswagers P, Santoro A, et al.Protein intake and bone mineral density: Cross-sectional relationship and longitudinal effects in older adults.J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2023;14(1):116-125. doi:10.1002/jcsm.13111
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Chicken thigh, boneless, skinless, raw.U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Chicken, broilers or fryers, thigh, meat and skin, raw.Roth W, Zadeh K, Vekariya R, Ge Y, Mohamadzadeh M.Tryptophan metabolism and gut-brain homeostasis.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(6):2973. doi:10.3390/ijms22062973U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Chicken breast, boneless, skinless, raw.U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.Moon J, Koh G.Clinical evidence and mechanisms of high-protein diet-induced weight loss.J Obes Metab Syndr. 2020;29(3):166-173. doi:10.7570/jomes20028Groenendijk I, Grootswagers P, Santoro A, et al.Protein intake and bone mineral density: Cross-sectional relationship and longitudinal effects in older adults.J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2023;14(1):116-125. doi:10.1002/jcsm.13111
U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Chicken thigh, boneless, skinless, raw.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Chicken, broilers or fryers, thigh, meat and skin, raw.
Roth W, Zadeh K, Vekariya R, Ge Y, Mohamadzadeh M.Tryptophan metabolism and gut-brain homeostasis.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(6):2973. doi:10.3390/ijms22062973
U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Chicken breast, boneless, skinless, raw.
U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Moon J, Koh G.Clinical evidence and mechanisms of high-protein diet-induced weight loss.J Obes Metab Syndr. 2020;29(3):166-173. doi:10.7570/jomes20028
Groenendijk I, Grootswagers P, Santoro A, et al.Protein intake and bone mineral density: Cross-sectional relationship and longitudinal effects in older adults.J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2023;14(1):116-125. doi:10.1002/jcsm.13111
