Chicken Thigh vs Steak
Side-by-side macro comparison. Chicken Thigh vs Steak per their standard serving sizes.
Macro Comparison Table
| Macro | Chicken Thigh | Steak | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 209 cal | 175 cal | +19% Chicken |
| Protein | 26g | 27g | -4% Chicken |
| Carbs | 0g | 0g | 0% Chicken |
| Fat | 11g | 7g | +57% 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. Steak delivers 175 calories with 27g protein, 0g carbs, and 7g fat. The most meaningful difference: Steak saves 34 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, Steak gives you 34 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), Steak 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. Steak delivers 27g 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 Steak are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.
Frequently Asked
Which has more protein, Chicken Thigh or Steak?
Steak has more protein: 27g vs 26g per serving. That's a difference of 1g.
Which has fewer calories, Chicken Thigh or Steak?
Steak has 175 calories per serving vs 209 calories in Chicken Thigh — a difference of 34 calories.
Is Chicken Thigh or Steak better for keto?
Steak is the better keto choice at 0g carbs per serving vs 0g carbs in Chicken Thigh.
Is Chicken Thigh or Steak better for weight loss?
For weight loss, Steak gives you more calorie flexibility (34 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Steak delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Steak.
Which Is Better for Your Goal?
🔥 Weight Loss
Steak
Higher protein-to-calorie density + lower absolute fat = more satiety per calorie.
💪 Muscle Gain
Steak
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 Steak stack up:
Full Chicken Thigh guide • Full Steak guide • All comparisons