How many carbs are in a chicken breast?
A plain cooked chicken breast has 0g of carbohydrate. There is no fiber and no sugar either, so the net carb count is also zero.
Carbs by portion
| Portion | Total carbs | Fiber | Net carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 whole breast, boneless (172g) | 0.0g | 0.0g | 0.0g |
| 1 cup, chopped or diced (140g) | 0.0g | 0.0g | 0.0g |
| 100 grams | 0.0g | 0.0g | 0.0g |
Net carbs
A plain chicken breast has 0g of net carbs, which is total carbs (0g) minus fiber (0g). The zero holds whether you weigh 86g or 172g. What can change the number is coating, breading, marinade, or sauce. A breaded breast or a honey-glazed one carries real carbs from the coating, not the meat. See the net carbs guide for when net carbs matter.
For diabetes
Plain chicken breast is one of the easiest proteins to fit into a diabetes meal plan because it contributes zero carbs to your count. The 172g whole breast adds 0g to your meal total, so the only carbs to track come from sides or sauces. Breaded, battered, or glazed versions change that sharply: a fast-food crispy breast sandwich can carry 40g or more. Strip the coating or order grilled and you get back to zero. See the diabetes carb-counting guide.
Keto and low carb
A plain chicken breast has 0g of net carbs, so it fits keto with no math required. The fat content is low (about 6g for a whole breast), so pair it with olive oil, avocado, or cheese if you need to hit a fat target. Avoid breaded, battered, or sweetened preparations, which can add 15 to 40g of carbs in one serving.
Good to know
The USDA data here is for roasted breast meat with skin and bone removed. Skin adds fat but no carbs. Cooking method changes the calorie count slightly (poached vs. roasted) but not the carb count, which stays at zero regardless. The real carb risk with chicken is what goes on it: a tablespoon of teriyaki sauce adds about 3 to 5g of carbs, and most store-bought breading coatings add 8 to 15g per serving.
Full nutrition (per 100g)
- Calories: 165.0 kcal
- Carbohydrate: 0.0g
- Fiber: 0.0g
- Sugars: 0.0g
- Protein: 31.02g
- Fat: 3.57g
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Get the appFrequently asked questions
Does chicken breast have carbs?
No. Plain cooked chicken breast has 0g of carbohydrate per 100g and 0g per whole breast. No fiber, no sugar, no net carbs.
Is chicken breast keto?
Yes. Plain chicken breast has 0g of net carbs, which makes it one of the most keto-friendly proteins available. Watch out for breaded or glazed versions.
How many carbs are in a breaded chicken breast?
That depends on the coating. A light flour dredge adds about 5 to 8g of carbs. A thick fast-food style batter can add 20 to 40g. Plain roasted chicken breast stays at 0g.
How many calories are in a chicken breast?
A whole boneless, skinless breast (172g) has about 284 calories, with 53g of protein and 6g of fat. Carbs are 0g.
Is grilled chicken breast the same carbs as roasted?
Yes. The cooking method (grilled, roasted, poached, baked) does not add carbs. The carb count stays at 0g as long as no marinade, sauce, or coating is added.