Chicken Breast vs Tuna
Side-by-side macro comparison. Chicken Breast vs Tuna per their standard serving sizes.
Macro Comparison Table
| Macro | Chicken Breast | Tuna | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 165 cal | 116 cal | +42% Chicken |
| Protein | 31g | 26g | +19% Chicken |
| Carbs | 0g | 0g | 0% Chicken |
| Fat | 3.6g | 0.8g | +350% Chicken |
Differences shown relative to Chicken Breast. Positive = Chicken Breast has more.
Quick Take
Chicken Breast delivers 165 calories per serving with 31g protein, 0g carbs, and 3.6g fat. Tuna delivers 116 calories with 26g protein, 0g carbs, and 0.8g fat. The most meaningful difference: Tuna saves 49 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. Both deliver similar protein density.
When to Pick Each
For Cutting / Weight Loss
When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Tuna gives you 49 more calories of headroom per serving — that's room for an extra snack, more vegetables, or a higher-protein second portion. If protein density matters more (which it does for preserving muscle on a deficit), Tuna delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.
For Bulking / Muscle Gain
For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Chicken Breast brings 165 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Chicken Breast delivers 31g of protein per serving, which directly feeds muscle protein synthesis. The best pick depends on whether you need more total calories or more usable protein.
For Keto / Low-Carb
Both Chicken Breast and Tuna are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.
Frequently Asked
Which has more protein, Chicken Breast or Tuna?
Chicken Breast has more protein: 31g vs 26g per serving. That's a difference of 5g.
Which has fewer calories, Chicken Breast or Tuna?
Tuna has 116 calories per serving vs 165 calories in Chicken Breast — a difference of 49 calories.
Is Chicken Breast or Tuna better for keto?
Tuna is the better keto choice at 0g carbs per serving vs 0g carbs in Chicken Breast.
Is Chicken Breast or Tuna better for weight loss?
For weight loss, Tuna gives you more calorie flexibility (49 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Tuna delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Tuna.
Which Is Better for Your Goal?
🔥 Weight Loss
Tuna
Higher protein-to-calorie density + lower absolute fat = more satiety per calorie.
💪 Muscle Gain
Chicken Breast
Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.
🥑 Low-Carb / Keto
tie
Lower carbohydrate content fits keto and low-carb macros without burning your carb budget.
Both fit most balanced diets. These verdicts reflect macro-only comparisons — taste, satiety, cost, and personal preference also matter.
Find Your Personal Macros
The "right" food depends on your individual macro targets. Calculate yours in 60 seconds:
→ Calculate My Macros (Free)Related Comparisons
Other ways Chicken Breast and Tuna stack up:
Full Chicken Breast guide • Full Tuna guide • All comparisons