How Much Protein is in 7 Ounces of Chicken?

Chicken is one of the most popular sources of protein. Many people enjoy chicken for its great taste and versatility. When preparing chicken, it’s useful to know how much protein you’re getting from different portion sizes. In this article, we’ll look at how much protein is in 7 ounces of chicken.

What is Protein and Why is it Important?

Protein is an essential macronutrient that plays many important roles in the body Here are some of the key functions of protein

• Building and repairing tissues and muscle
• Making hormones, enzymes, and other chemicals
• Providing energy when carbs and fat are not available
• Supporting immune function and wound healing
• Transporting nutrients and maintaining fluid balance

Consuming adequate protein is vital for good health The current recommended daily intake (RDI) for protein is 08 grams per kilogram of body weight or 0.36 grams per pound. So a 150-pound person would need about 54 grams of protein per day.

People who are very active or trying to build muscle mass may need more than the RDI of protein. Inadequate protein intake can lead to muscle wasting, weakness, fatigue and poor immunity.

How Much Protein in 7 Ounces of Chicken?

Now let’s look specifically at the protein content of 7 ounces of cooked, boneless, skinless chicken breast.

According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, 7 ounces (198 grams) of boneless, skinless, cooked chicken breast contains:

• 45.26 grams of protein
• 2.43 grams of fat
• 0 grams of carbohydrate

So in 7 ounces of chicken, you get about 45 grams of protein. That’s a significant amount, providing over 80% of the recommended daily intake for many people.

To put the protein content into perspective, here’s how 7 ounces of chicken compares to other high-protein foods:

• 7 ounces chicken breast: 45g protein
• 7 ounces lean beef: 42g protein
• 7 ounces salmon: 39g protein
• 7 ounces firm tofu: 21g protein
• 7 ounces chickpeas: 14g protein

As you can see, chicken breast contains more protein than most other common protein sources. The only food that comes close is lean beef.

Benefits of Chicken as a Protein Source

There are several reasons why chicken is one of the most popular protein choices:

• It’s versatile – can be baked, grilled, sautéed, etc.
• It’s relatively affordable compared to beef or seafood
• It’s lower in fat than many meats when skinless
• It contains high-quality complete protein with all essential amino acids
• It’s easy to purchase and prepare chicken in individual portions

Chicken is also a good source of nutrients like selenium, niacin, vitamin B6 and phosphorus.

Tips for Preparing and Eating Chicken

Here are some tips to get the most nutrition from chicken:

• Remove the skin before cooking to reduce fat and calories
• Bake, grill or sautée instead of frying in oil to cut down on fat
• Spice it up with herbs, spices, citrus, vinegars rather than salt
• Pair with vegetables and whole grains for more fiber and nutrients
• Make sure chicken is fully cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days