Chicken Thigh vs Duck Breast (skinless)
Side-by-side macro comparison. Chicken Thigh vs Duck Breast (skinless) per their standard serving sizes.
Duck Breast (skinless)
per 100g cooked
Macro Comparison Table
| Macro | Chicken Thigh | Duck Breast (skinless) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 209 cal | 140 cal | +49% Chicken |
| Protein | 26g | 23g | +13% Chicken |
| Carbs | 0g | 0g | 0% Chicken |
| Fat | 11g | 5g | +120% Chicken |
Differences shown relative to Chicken Thigh. Positive = Chicken Thigh has more.
Quick Take
Chicken Thigh delivers 209 calories per serving with 26g protein, 0g carbs, and 11g fat. Duck Breast (skinless) delivers 140 calories with 23g protein, 0g carbs, and 5g fat. The most meaningful difference: Duck Breast (skinless) saves 69 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, Duck Breast (skinless) gives you 69 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), Duck Breast (skinless) delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.
For Bulking / Muscle Gain
For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Chicken Thigh brings 209 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Chicken Thigh delivers 26g 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 Thigh and Duck Breast (skinless) are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.
Frequently Asked
Which has more protein, Chicken Thigh or Duck Breast (skinless)?
Chicken Thigh has more protein: 26g vs 23g per serving. That's a difference of 3g.
Which has fewer calories, Chicken Thigh or Duck Breast (skinless)?
Duck Breast (skinless) has 140 calories per serving vs 209 calories in Chicken Thigh — a difference of 69 calories.
Is Chicken Thigh or Duck Breast (skinless) better for keto?
Duck Breast (skinless) is the better keto choice at 0g carbs per serving vs 0g carbs in Chicken Thigh.
Is Chicken Thigh or Duck Breast (skinless) better for weight loss?
For weight loss, Duck Breast (skinless) gives you more calorie flexibility (69 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Duck Breast (skinless) delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Duck Breast (skinless).
Which Is Better for Your Goal?
🔥 Weight Loss
Duck Breast (skinless)
Higher protein-to-calorie density + lower absolute fat = more satiety per calorie.
💪 Muscle Gain
Chicken Thigh
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 Thigh and Duck Breast (skinless) stack up:
Full Chicken Thigh guide • Full Duck Breast (skinless) guide • All comparisons