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Bacon vs Chicken Thigh: Calories Compared
Chicken Thigh is lower in calories (179 vs 417 per 100g). Bacon has 12.6g protein per 100g versus 24.8g in Chicken Thigh.
Per typical serving, Bacon provides 192 kcal (based on a 46g portion) versus Chicken Thigh at 208 kcal (116g). The average adult needs around 2,000 calories per day, so bacon contributes 9.6% and chicken thigh contributes 10.4% of that daily target per serving. Getting these numbers right for your own portions starts with a digital kitchen scale.
Full nutrition comparison (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Bacon | Chicken Thigh |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 417 kcal | 179 kcal |
| Protein | 12.6g | 24.8g |
| Carbohydrates | 1.3g | 0g |
| of which Sugars | 1g | 0g |
| Fat | 39.7g | 8.2g |
| of which Saturates | 13.3g | 2.3g |
| Fibre | 0g | 0g |
| Sodium | 662mg | 106mg |
| Potassium | 198mg | 269mg |
| Calcium | 5mg | 9mg |
| Iron | 0.4mg | 1.1mg |
| Vitamin C | 0mg | 0mg |
| Vitamin A | 11µg | 8µg |
| Selenium | 20µg | 27µg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.1mg | 0.2mg |
Nutrient-by-nutrient breakdown
- Calories: Bacon has more (417kcal vs 179kcal per 100g) — a difference of 238kcal. Chicken Thigh is the lower-calories option if that is your priority.
- Protein: Chicken Thigh has more (24.8g vs 12.6g per 100g) — a difference of 12.2g. Chicken Thigh is the stronger source of protein here.
- Carbohydrates: Bacon has more (1.3g vs 0g per 100g) — a difference of 1.3g.
- Sugars: Bacon has more (1g vs 0g per 100g) — a difference of 1g. Chicken Thigh is the lower-sugars option if that is your priority.
- Fat: Bacon has more (39.7g vs 8.2g per 100g) — a difference of 31.5g. Chicken Thigh is the lower-fat option if that is your priority.
- Saturated fat: Bacon has more (13.3g vs 2.3g per 100g) — a difference of 11g. Chicken Thigh is the lower-saturated fat option if that is your priority.
- Fibre: both foods contain the same amount (0g per 100g).
- Sodium: Bacon has more (662mg vs 106mg per 100g) — a difference of 556mg. Chicken Thigh is the lower-sodium option if that is your priority.
- Potassium: Chicken Thigh has more (269mg vs 198mg per 100g) — a difference of 71mg. Chicken Thigh is the stronger source of potassium here.
- Calcium: Chicken Thigh has more (9mg vs 5mg per 100g) — a difference of 4mg. Chicken Thigh is the stronger source of calcium here.
- Iron: Chicken Thigh has more (1mg vs 0mg per 100g) — a difference of 1mg. Chicken Thigh is the stronger source of iron here.
- Vitamin c: both foods contain the same amount (0mg per 100g).
- Vitamin a: Bacon has more (11µg vs 8µg per 100g) — a difference of 3µg. Bacon is the stronger source of vitamin A here.
- Selenium: Chicken Thigh has more (27µg vs 20µg per 100g) — a difference of 7µg. Chicken Thigh is the stronger source of selenium here.
- Riboflavin (b2): Chicken Thigh has more (0mg vs 0mg per 100g) — a difference of 0mg. Chicken Thigh is the stronger source of riboflavin (B2) here.
Live serving-size calculator
Enter any amount for each food — every figure below recalculates instantly, with % of daily value shown for each nutrient (based on a standard 2,000-calorie reference diet).
| Nutrient | Bacon | % DV | Chicken Thigh | % DV |
|---|
* % Daily Value based on a 2,000-calorie reference diet, the same basis used on nutrition labels in the US and UK. Figures update live as you change the amounts above — no page reload.
Substituting one for the other
When substituting one protein source for another, cooking time and method may need adjusting — leaner cuts cook faster and can dry out more easily than fattier ones.
Useful for comparing these foods
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Which should you choose?
If your priority is fewer calories, Chicken Thigh is the lower-calorie option at 179 kcal per 100g. If you need more protein, Chicken Thigh provides more at 24.8g per 100g. For lower carbohydrates, Chicken Thigh has fewer carbs at 0g per 100g.
Both bacon and chicken thigh can form part of a healthy, balanced diet. The best choice depends on your individual goals — whether that is weight management, muscle building, or simply hitting your daily nutritional targets. A meal prep container set makes it easy to portion whichever you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more calories, Bacon or Chicken Thigh?
Bacon has 417 calories per 100g while Chicken Thigh has 179 calories per 100g. Bacon is higher in calories by 238 kcal per 100g.
Which has more protein, Bacon or Chicken Thigh?
Bacon contains 12.6g of protein per 100g. Chicken Thigh contains 24.8g of protein per 100g. Chicken Thigh has more protein.
Is Bacon healthier than Chicken Thigh?
Bacon has 417 kcal, 12.6g protein, 1.3g carbs and 39.7g fat per 100g. Chicken Thigh has 179 kcal, 24.8g protein, 0g carbs and 8.2g fat per 100g. Which is healthier depends on your goals — higher protein, lower calorie and lower fat foods are generally preferred for weight management.
Which has more fibre, Bacon or Chicken Thigh?
Bacon contains 0g of fibre per 100g, and Chicken Thigh contains 0g per 100g. Bacon has more fibre. Fibre supports digestion and helps with feeling fuller for longer.
How many calories per serving — Bacon vs Chicken Thigh?
A typical 2 rashers of bacon (46g) is around 192 calories. A typical 1 thigh of chicken thigh (116g) is around 208 calories — a difference of 16 kcal per serving in favour of bacon.
Can I substitute Bacon for Chicken Thigh in recipes?
When substituting one protein source for another, cooking time and method may need adjusting — leaner cuts cook faster and can dry out more easily than fattier ones.
Track both accurately
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Figures per 100g from the USDA FoodData Central database (CC0 1.0).