Chicken Breast vs Turkey
Side-by-side macro comparison. Chicken Breast vs Turkey per their standard serving sizes.
Macro Comparison Table
| Macro | Chicken Breast | Turkey | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 165 cal | 135 cal | +22% Chicken |
| Protein | 31g | 30g | +3% Chicken |
| Carbs | 0g | 0g | 0% Chicken |
| Fat | 3.6g | 1g | +260% 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. Turkey delivers 135 calories with 30g protein, 0g carbs, and 1g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 30 calories per serving, so calorie load is essentially equivalent. Both deliver similar protein density.
When to Pick Each
For Cutting / Weight Loss
When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Turkey gives you 30 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), Turkey 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 Turkey are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.
Frequently Asked
Which has more protein, Chicken Breast or Turkey?
Chicken Breast has more protein: 31g vs 30g per serving. That's a difference of 1g.
Which has fewer calories, Chicken Breast or Turkey?
Turkey has 135 calories per serving vs 165 calories in Chicken Breast — a difference of 30 calories.
Is Chicken Breast or Turkey better for keto?
Turkey is the better keto choice at 0g carbs per serving vs 0g carbs in Chicken Breast.
Is Chicken Breast or Turkey better for weight loss?
For weight loss, Turkey gives you more calorie flexibility (30 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Turkey delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Turkey.
Which Is Better for Your Goal?
🔥 Weight Loss
Turkey
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 Turkey stack up:
Full Chicken Breast guide • Full Turkey guide • All comparisons