A roasted, broiled or baked chicken leg with the skin on contains about 331 calories per leg quarter (yield after cooking, bone removed). If you're interested in learning more about the nutritional information and benefits of consuming this type of chicken, keep reading.

In addition to being a great source of protein, roasted, broiled, or baked chicken legs are also rich in other macro-nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for good health. They are a good source of niacin, vitamin B6, iron, zinc, and selenium. They also contain small amounts of other vitamins and minerals such as thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin E, phosphorus, and potassium.

In this article, we'll explore some tips for healthy consumption, possible health risks, recipe ideas, and frequently asked questions about roasted, broiled, or baked chicken legs.

Calories in 1 Leg Quarter

As mentioned earlier, one leg quarter (yield after cooking, bone removed) of roasted, broiled, or baked chicken leg with skin contains about 331 calories. This may vary depending on the cooking method and the size of the leg quarter.

How to Prepare Roasted/Broiled/Baked Chicken Leg

There are many ways to prepare roasted, broiled, or baked chicken legs. Here is a simple recipe to try:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
2. Season your chicken legs with your desired spices and herbs.
3. Place them in a baking dish or on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

You can also marinate the chicken legs or add your favorite sauce for extra flavor.

Macro-Nutrients in Roasted/Broiled/Baked Chicken Leg

Roasted, broiled, or baked chicken legs are an excellent source of protein, with about 28 grams of protein per leg quarter. In addition to protein, chicken legs are also a good source of healthy fats, with about 13 grams of fat per leg quarter. They also contain about 1 gram of carbohydrates per leg quarter.

Vitamins and Minerals in Roasted/Broiled/Baked Chicken Leg

Chicken legs are a good source of several important vitamins and minerals, including:

• Niacin (vitamin B3)
• Vitamin B6
• Iron
• Zinc
• Selenium
• Thiamine (vitamin B1)
• Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
• Vitamin E
• Phosphorus
• Potassium

Benefits of Consuming Roasted/Broiled/Baked Chicken Leg

Consuming roasted, broiled, or baked chicken legs can provide several health benefits, including:

• Helping to build and repair muscles due to its high protein content.
• Supporting heart health as it is a good source of vitamin B6 and niacin.
• Boosting immune function due to its high content of selenium and zinc.
• Providing energy due to its healthy fat content.

Comparison of Calories with Other Chicken Parts

Chicken legs are one of the highest calorie chicken parts, but they are still a healthy choice when consumed in moderation. Here is a comparison of calories in 100 grams of various chicken parts:

• Chicken breast (without skin): 165 calories
• Chicken thigh (without skin): 209 calories
• Chicken drumstick (without skin): 174 calories
• Chicken wing (without skin): 203 calories

As you can see, chicken breast is the lowest calorie option, while chicken thighs and wings are slightly higher in calories compared to chicken legs. However, chicken legs are still a great source of protein and other important nutrients.

Tips for Healthy Consumption of Roasted/Broiled/Baked Chicken Leg

Here are some tips for consuming roasted, broiled, or baked chicken legs in a healthy way:

• Remove the skin before eating to reduce the fat content and calorie intake.
• Pair chicken legs with a variety of vegetables to increase the fiber, vitamin, and mineral content of your meal.
• Limit your intake of fried chicken or processed chicken products, which can be high in unhealthy fats and sodium.
• Choose organic or free-range chicken for the highest quality and most nutritious option.

Possible Health Risks of Consuming Roasted/Broiled/Baked Chicken Leg

While roasted, broiled, or baked chicken legs are generally considered a healthy food, there are some potential risks to be aware of:

• Eating chicken that is undercooked or not handled properly can lead to foodborne illness, so make sure to cook chicken legs to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill any harmful bacteria.
• Removing the skin can lower the fat content of chicken legs, but it also reduces the flavor and moisture of the meat. Consider leaving the skin on and consuming in moderation to balance taste and health benefits.
• Eating a diet high in animal protein may increase your risk of certain health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease, and cancer. It's important to balance your intake of chicken legs with other healthy protein sources like plants, legumes, and fish.

Recipe Ideas Using Roasted/Broiled/Baked Chicken Leg

Here are some recipe ideas using roasted, broiled, or baked chicken legs:

• Chicken Caesar salad with roasted chicken legs
• Lemon and herb baked chicken legs with roasted vegetables
• Spicy honey-glazed chicken legs with quinoa and steamed spinach
• Crispy oven-baked chicken legs with sweet potato fries

Experiment with seasonings and sauces to create your own unique recipe!

FAQs about Roasted/Broiled/Baked Chicken Leg

Here are some frequently asked questions about roasted, broiled, or baked chicken legs:

• Is it safe to eat chicken legs with the skin on? - While the skin does add flavor and moisture to the meat, it's also high in fat and calories. Removing the skin can make your meal healthier, but it's also okay to consume in moderation.
• How do I know when the chicken legs are fully cooked? - The internal temperature of chicken legs should reach 165°F to be safe to eat. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature, or visually inspect the meat to make sure it's no longer pink inside.
• Can I freeze leftover roasted, broiled, or baked chicken legs? - Yes, you can store leftover chicken legs in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.