How Many Calories are in a KFC Chicken Breast? A Detailed Look at the Nutrition Facts

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is known for its signature fried chicken, especially the Original Recipe chicken. The chicken breast is one of the most popular KFC menu items. Many customers wonder – how many calories are in a KFC chicken breast?

This article provides a detailed look at the nutrition facts for a KFC chicken breast. We’ll cover the calorie, fat, sodium, protein and carb content. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the calories and nutrition in a KFC original recipe chicken breast.

KFC Chicken Breast Nutrition Overview

The nutrition facts for a KFC original recipe chicken breast are:

• Calories: 390 calories
• Fat: 21g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Sodium: 1,190mg
• Carbs: 11g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 0g
• Protein: 39g

As you can see, a KFC chicken breast is high in calories, fat, and sodium. Let’s take a more detailed look at each of these nutrients.

Calories in a KFC Chicken Breast

A KFC original recipe chicken breast contains 390 calories.

To put this in perspective here are some examples of activities that burn roughly 390 calories

• Walking at a moderate pace for 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Jogging at 5 mph for 34 minutes
• Cycling at a moderate pace for 50 minutes

So the chicken breast alone is nearly 400 calories – almost 1/5 of a 2,000 calorie diet

And that’s not including any sides or drinks you might order with it!

Fat Content of a KFC Chicken Breast

There are 21 grams of total fat in an original recipe KFC chicken breast.

The daily recommended limit for fat is around 65 grams. So at 21 grams, the chicken breast contains over 30% of your daily allotment of fat.

Out of the 21 grams of fat, 4 grams are saturated fat. Saturated fat should be limited to about 13 grams per day.

The high fat content comes from KFC’s signature cooking method – deep frying their chicken in oil.

Sodium in a KFC Chicken Breast

KFC chicken tends to be very high in sodium.

There are 1,190 mg of sodium in an original recipe chicken breast.

The daily recommended sodium limit is around 2,300 mg. A single KFC breast contains over half of the recommended amount!

The high sodium comes from various seasonings and preservatives used to flavor the chicken.

If you have high blood pressure or are watching your sodium intake, the chicken breast alone packs a very hefty dose of sodium.

Protein in a KFC Chicken Breast

On the positive side, KFC chicken is a good source of protein.

There are 39 grams of protein in a chicken breast.

The daily recommended protein intake is around 50 grams for the average adult. So the chicken breast provides over three-quarters of your protein needs.

Protein plays a key role in building muscle mass and supporting weight loss. So the high protein content can be beneficial if you eat the chicken breast as part of an overall healthy diet.

Carbohydrates in a KFC Chicken Breast

There are 11 grams of carbs in an original recipe chicken breast.

This carb count includes 2 grams of fiber. So there are 9 net carbs, which mainly come from the coating and batter used to fry the chicken.

At only 11 grams of carbs, the chicken breast is considered a low-carb food choice. This makes it an option for low-carb diets like keto.

However, since it’s fried in oil, it’s not the healthiest low-carb choice. Grilled chicken would be a better option if limiting carbs is your goal.

KFC Chicken Breast Calorie Comparison

How do the calories in a KFC original recipe chicken breast compare to other menu options?

Here is the calorie count for some other popular KFC chicken items:

• Original Recipe Chicken Drumstick: 130 calories
• Original Recipe Chicken Thigh: 280 calories
• Original Recipe Chicken Wing: 130 calories
• Extra Crispy Chicken Breast: 530 calories
• Grilled Chicken Breast: 210 calories

As you can see, the original recipe breast is one of the higher calorie options.

A grilled chicken breast from KFC only has 210 calories – nearly half the amount of the original recipe version.

So opting for grilled chicken is an easy way to reduce the calories at KFC.

Ways to Make Your KFC Meal Healthier

If you want to enjoy KFC but still watch your nutrition and calorie intake, here are some tips:

• Go for grilled chicken – This cuts the calories in half compared to fried original recipe chicken.

• Avoid extra crispy chicken – The extra breading and frying adds even more fat and calories.

• Watch your portions – Stick to a single chicken breast or drumstick to control calories.

• Pick healthy sides – Opt for lower cal options like mashed potatoes, green beans, corn or slaw over biscuits and mac and cheese.

• Get a side salad – KFC has side salad options with fat free dressing that are very low calorie.

• Skip sugary drinks – Stick to water or unsweetened tea instead of soda.

By customizing your order, you can still enjoy the delicious taste of KFC chicken while maintaining a balanced diet!

The Bottom Line

So how many calories are in a KFC original recipe chicken breast?

A single chicken breast contains 390 calories, 21 grams of fat, 1,190 mg sodium, 11 grams of carbs, and 39 grams of protein.

While high in calories, fat and sodium, the breast is also a good source of protein.

Overall, it’s a high calorie food choice, but there are ways to reduce the calories by opting for grilled chicken, watching portions, and choosing healthier sides and drinks.