Chicken Breast vs Chickpeas

Side-by-side nutrition comparison per serving. See which fits your goals better.

Chickpeas have had a massive glow-up thanks to the hummus industrial complex, and they absolutely deserve the hype — but not as a chicken breast replacement. At 164 calories per 100g cooked, chickpeas deliver just 8.86g protein compared to chicken's 22.5g. You'd need nearly 300g of chickpeas (almost 500 calories) to match chicken's protein in a single serving. That math doesn't work if protein is your primary goal.

What chickpeas excel at is being the most satisfying legume on earth. That 7.6g of fiber per 100g, combined with decent protein and complex carbs, creates a slow-digesting package that keeps blood sugar stable for hours. There's a reason Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines have built entire food cultures around chickpeas — they're deeply satiating in a way that chicken breast frankly isn't.

The winning strategy is pairing, not replacing. A bowl with 150g chicken breast and 100g chickpeas gives you roughly 36g protein, solid fiber, and a meal that keeps you full for 4-5 hours. That combination outperforms either food eaten alone for both satiety and nutrition.

Pro tip

Drain a can of chickpeas, toss with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, and a pinch of salt, then roast at 220°C for 25-30 minutes until crunchy. These crispy chickpeas are a high-protein, high-fiber snack that crushes chips cravings and lasts in an airtight container for days.

Quick Verdict

Best for weight loss

Chickpeas

Best for muscle gain

Chicken Breast

Best for low-carb

Chicken Breast

Macro Comparison

Chicken Breast: 100g (100g)  |  Chickpeas: 100g (100g)

CaloriesLower is better for weight loss

165

Chicken Breast

vs

164

Chickpeas

ProteinHigher supports muscle growth

22.5g

Chicken Breast

vs

8.86g

Chickpeas

CarbsLower for low-carb diets

0g

Chicken Breast

vs

27.4g

Chickpeas

FatLower for calorie control

1.93g

Chicken Breast

vs

2.59g

Chickpeas

Protein Efficiency

What percentage of calories come from protein — higher is better for staying lean.

55%

Chicken Breast

22%

Chickpeas

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Per 100g Comparison

NutrientChicken BreastChickpeas
Calories165164
Protein22.5g8.9g
Carbs0g27.4g
Fat1.9g2.6g
Fiber7.6g
Sugar4.8g
Sodium65.8mg243mg
Cholesterol72.7mg0mg
Saturated Fat0.35g0.27g
Potassium330mg291mg
Vitamin A1mcg
Vitamin C1.3mg
Calcium3.94mg49mg
Iron0.35mg2.89mg

Which Should You Choose?

For weight loss

Choose Chickpeas. With 164 calories and 8.86g protein, it gives you more protein per calorie — keeping you full while cutting calories.

For muscle gain

Choose Chicken Breast. Chicken Breast delivers 22.5g protein per serving — 13.6g more than Chickpeas.

For low-carb diets

Choose Chicken Breast with 0g carbs per serving.

Building meals that keep you full for hours is the secret weapon against unplanned snacking — which is where most surplus calories hide. Sunn helps you build these satisfying combinations and understand which foods actually keep YOUR hunger at bay.

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Common Questions

Is Chicken Breast or Chickpeas better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Chickpeas is the better choice. Chicken Breast has 165 calories and 22.5g protein per serving, while Chickpeas has 164 calories and 8.86g protein. Lower calories with higher protein helps you stay full while eating fewer calories.

Which has more protein, Chicken Breast or Chickpeas?

Chicken Breast has more protein per serving. Chicken Breast provides 22.5g and Chickpeas provides 8.86g of protein.

Can I eat both chicken breast and chickpeas together?

Yes! Combining chicken breast and chickpeas gives you 329 calories and 31.36g protein. This combination can work well as part of a balanced meal.

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