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Chicken breast vs Salmon: calories and macros compared

Per 100 g, Chicken breast has 165 calories and 31 g of protein, while Salmon has 206 calories and 22.1 g. Chicken breast is the lighter choice, 41 kcal fewer per 100 g. Chicken breast carries more protein, 8.9 g more per 100 g.

Side by side, per 100 g

Per 100 gChicken breastSalmon
Calories165 kcal206 kcal
Protein31 g22.1 g
Carbs0 g0 g
Fat3.6 g12.4 g
Fiber0 g0 g

The verdict

Chicken breast wins on both: fewer calories and more protein per 100 g.

A note on the numbers

Both columns are USDA FoodData Central numbers — the same sourced data Joules logs from, rather than the crowd-sourced entries that make many trackers disagree with each other.

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Frequently asked questions

Which has fewer calories, Chicken breast or Salmon?

Per 100 g, Chicken breast has 165 calories and Salmon has 206. Chicken breast is lower by 41 kcal. Compare per 100 g first, then scale to your actual portion.

Which has more protein, Chicken breast or Salmon?

Per 100 g, Chicken breast has 31 g of protein and Salmon has 22.1 g. Chicken breast has 8.9 g more.

Is Chicken breast or Salmon better for weight loss?

Neither is off-limits. Fewer calories per 100 g gives you more room in a deficit, but portion size and the rest of your day matter more than the swap itself. Log whichever you actually eat and watch your daily total.

Where do these numbers come from?

Both foods come from USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy): FDC ID 171477 for Chicken breast and 175168 for Salmon, taken per 100 g so the comparison is like-for-like.

Full nutrition for each

More comparisons

Snap a photo of Chicken breast or Salmon in Joules and the calories and macros are logged for you — from the same USDA data.

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A note on accuracy: calculators like this one provide estimates based on population-level formulas — your real needs vary with genetics, muscle mass, medical conditions, and more. Results are for information only and are not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a prescription. Talk to a doctor or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or exercise, especially if you have a health condition, are pregnant, or are under 18.

Nutrition data: USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 171477 · FDC ID 175168 (SR Legacy), per 100 g. Both entries are compared on the same basis.