Chicken Thigh vs Tuna

Side-by-side macro comparison. Chicken Thigh vs Tuna per their standard serving sizes.

Chicken Thigh

per 100g cooked

209 cal
26g Protein
0g Carbs
11g Fat
Full Chicken Thigh macros →
vs

Tuna

per 100g canned in water, drained

116 cal
26g Protein
0g Carbs
0.8g Fat
Full Tuna macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Chicken Thigh Tuna Difference
Calories 209 cal 116 cal +80% Chicken
Protein 26g 26g 0% Chicken
Carbs 0g 0g 0% Chicken
Fat 11g 0.8g +1275% 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. Tuna delivers 116 calories with 26g protein, 0g carbs, and 0.8g fat. The most meaningful difference: Tuna saves 93 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 93 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 Thigh brings 209 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Tuna 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 Tuna are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Chicken Thigh or Tuna?

Tuna has more protein: 26g vs 26g per serving. That's a difference of 0g.

Which has fewer calories, Chicken Thigh or Tuna?

Tuna has 116 calories per serving vs 209 calories in Chicken Thigh — a difference of 93 calories.

Is Chicken Thigh or Tuna better for keto?

Tuna is the better keto choice at 0g carbs per serving vs 0g carbs in Chicken Thigh.

Is Chicken Thigh or Tuna better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Tuna gives you more calorie flexibility (93 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

tie

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:

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Related Comparisons

Other ways Chicken Thigh and Tuna stack up:

Full Chicken Thigh guideFull Tuna guideAll comparisons