The Scoop on Chicken Thighs: Are they Healthy?
If you are trying to make healthier eating choices but love a good, juicy, chicken thigh recipe… you’re in the right post!
Today, I hope to answer the age-old question for you: Are chicken thighs healthy? and provide you with a few healthier recipes that taste great!
Chicken Thigh Nutrition
Chicken thighs are labeled in the “dark meat” category and often get a bad reputation simply because they are higher in fat than breasts. However, by looking at their nutritional bang for their buck, you might think otherwise!
Before we judge this fantastic meal option, let’s talk about the nutrition that chicken thighs with and without skin.
Thighs with Skin on 4oz Serving:
- Calories: 270
- Total fat: 14.9g
- Saturated fat: 4.1g
- Cholesterol: 102mg
- Sodium: 108mg
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 32g
Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs 4oz Serving:
- Calories: 196
- Total fat: 6.8g
- Saturated fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
- Sodium: 117mg
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 32g
Health Benefits of Chicken Thighs
With 32 grams of protein per 4-ounce serving, chicken thighs are considered a great protein option for meals. By not eating the skin, you can slash the fat content by nearly half to 6.8g per serving.
In addition to a wonderful macro profile, chicken thighs are also an excellent source of essential micronutrients like iron and zinc in higher quantities than breasts.
Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh Nutrition
The two main differences between boneless skinless chicken thighs and chicken breasts, per 4-ounce serving, is that thighs have 2.8g more total fat and 10 additional calories than breasts. That’s it!
Ounce per ounce, boneless skinless chicken thighs are an excellent nutritional option with a lot more flavor than breasts -not to mention a much more affordable source of protein.
Healthiest Way to Cook Chicken Thighs
Regardless of the cooking method, the best way to turn chicken thighs into a healthy meal is by limiting the amount of oil used to cook them or high-calorie sauces added after cooking.
That said, baking chicken thighs in the oven is considered to be the healthiest option that yields a juicy and delicious meal every time.
You can also pan-sear thighs in a seasoned cast iron skillet and enjoy a fabulous meal that fits your nutritional needs.
In the end, there is no wrong way to cook chicken thighs. Whether you bake them, cook them in a pan, use them in a slow cooker recipe, or grill them, chicken thighs are a healthy meal-builder that’s high in protein.
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