How Many Calories Are in 200 Grams of Chicken Breast?

Chicken breast is one of the most popular and versatile lean proteins Many people eat chicken breast regularly as part of a healthy diet, But how many calories are actually in a typical serving of chicken breast? Let’s find out

An Overview of Chicken Breast Nutrition

The chicken breast is the pectoral muscle of the chicken, located underneath the breast bone. Skinless, boneless chicken breast is very low in fat and calories compared to other cuts of chicken and other meats.

Here are some key nutrition facts about 200 grams of raw boneless skinless chicken breast

• Calories: Approximately 350
• Protein: Around 59 grams
• Fat: 15 grams or less
• Saturated Fat: 4 grams
• Cholesterol: 160-170 milligrams
• Sodium: 700-800 milligrams
• Carbs: 0 grams
• Sugar: 0 grams

So a 200 gram serving of raw chicken breast provides over half your daily protein needs but is very low in carbs, sugar, and fat. The protein is complete, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids your body needs. Chicken breast also provides vitamins and minerals like niacin, vitamin B6, selenium, phosphorus and potassium.

Calorie Content of Cooked Chicken Breast

When chicken is cooked, some moisture is lost which concentrates the nutrients. For example, 100 grams of cooked chicken breast contains about 31 grams of protein compared to 25 grams for the raw amount.

Cooking also increases the calories and fat content slightly per gram. The major methods for cooking chicken breast and their calorie contents are:

• Baked: Approximately 165 calories per 100 grams
• Grilled: Roughly 170 calories per 100 grams
• Pan fried: About 190 calories per 100 grams

So we can estimate that 200 grams of cooked chicken breast contains 330 to 380 calories, depending on preparation method. Grilling or baking are lower calorie options compared to frying.

Here is the calorie breakdown for a 200 gram serving of baked chicken breast:

• Total Calories: 340
• Protein: 63% of calories
• Fat: 37% of calories
• Carbs: 0% of calories

Calorie Differences Between Skinless and Skin-on

Chicken skin contains a lot of fat. Leaving the skin on increases the calories and fat significantly:

• 200 grams of skinless chicken breast: 350 calories
• 200 grams of chicken breast with skin: 450 calories

So 200 grams of chicken breast with the skin on contains about 100 more calories and twice as much fat compared to skinless. However, the skin does provide additional vitamins and minerals like vitamin A.

Chicken Breast Serving Sizes

To put that 200 gram amount into perspective, here are some typical serving sizes of chicken breast and their calorie contents:

• 1 small breast, boneless (100 grams): 165 calories
• 1 medium breast, boneless (150 grams): 250 calories
• 1 large breast, boneless (200 grams): 330 calories
• 1 breast fillet (100 grams): 165 calories
• 1 cup diced chicken breast: 230 calories
• 1 ounce boneless, cooked: 55 calories

The takeaway is a serving between 150-200 grams provides a good amount of protein for most people while keeping calories in a reasonable range. Those wanting to limit calories could stick to around 100 grams per serving.

How to Include Chicken Breast in a Healthy Diet

Chicken breast is a nutrition powerhouse that can be incorporated into a healthy diet in many ways:

• Use it in salads, wraps, sandwiches and bowls for an excellent source of protein.
• Combine it with vegetables and healthy grains like quinoa or brown rice.
• Flavor it with herbs, spices and low-calorie condiments like mustard.
• Grill or bake it simply with just salt, pepper and lemon.

Aim for 150-200 grams per serving a few times a week for a lean, low-calorie protein source. Chicken breast helps to build and maintain muscle mass while keeping your daily calorie intake under control.