Turkey, Ground vs Chicken Breast
Side-by-side nutrition comparison per serving. See which fits your goals better.
Ground turkey and chicken breast are both go-to lean proteins, but their nutritional profiles are not as similar as most people assume. Chicken breast leads with 22.5g protein at 165 calories and 1.93g fat per 100g. Ground turkey delivers 19.7g protein at 148 calories with 7.66g fat — nearly four times the fat content of chicken breast.
The fat difference exists because ground turkey typically includes dark meat and skin mixed in with the breast meat. If you specifically buy 99 percent lean ground turkey breast, the numbers converge dramatically. But standard ground turkey from the grocery store is not the lean option people think it is.
Where ground turkey genuinely excels is culinary versatility. You can shape it into burgers, crumble it into tacos, roll it into meatballs, or brown it for pasta sauce — applications where chicken breast's solid form is less practical. The slight fat content actually improves moisture and flavor in these preparations, making it easier to enjoy without added oils or sauces.
Pro tip
When buying ground turkey, always check the label for fat percentage. Standard ground turkey is around 85 percent lean. For near-chicken-breast macros, look for ground turkey breast specifically labeled 99 percent lean — the price difference is usually under a dollar per pound.
Quick Verdict
Best for weight loss
Turkey, Ground
Best for muscle gain
Chicken Breast
Best for low-carb
Turkey, Ground
Macro Comparison
Turkey, Ground: 100g (100g) | Chicken Breast: 100g (100g)
148
Turkey, Ground
165
Chicken Breast
19.7g
Turkey, Ground
22.5g
Chicken Breast
0g
Turkey, Ground
0g
Chicken Breast
7.66g
Turkey, Ground
1.93g
Chicken Breast
Protein Efficiency
What percentage of calories come from protein — higher is better for staying lean.
53%
Turkey, Ground
55%
Chicken Breast
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| Nutrient | Turkey, Ground | Chicken Breast |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 148 | 165 |
| Protein | 19.7g | 22.5g |
| Carbs | 0g | 0g |
| Fat | 7.7g | 1.9g |
| Fiber | 0g | — |
| Sugar | 0g | — |
| Sodium | 58mg | 65.8mg |
| Cholesterol | 69mg | 72.7mg |
| Saturated Fat | 2.02g | 0.35g |
| Potassium | 237mg | 330mg |
| Vitamin A | 20mcg | — |
| Vitamin C | 0mg | — |
| Calcium | 19mg | 3.94mg |
| Iron | 1.09mg | 0.35mg |
Which Should You Choose?
For weight loss
Choose Turkey, Ground. With 148 calories and 19.7g 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 — 2.8g more than Turkey, Ground.
For low-carb diets
Choose Turkey, Ground with 0g carbs per serving.
The difference between standard and lean ground turkey can swing your daily fat intake by 15-20 grams across a few meals. Sunn helps you pick the right option by showing how each version fits your remaining macros for the day.
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Take the free quizCommon Questions
Is Turkey, Ground or Chicken Breast better for weight loss?
For weight loss, Turkey, Ground is the better choice. Turkey, Ground has 148 calories and 19.7g protein per serving, while Chicken Breast has 165 calories and 22.5g protein. Lower calories with higher protein helps you stay full while eating fewer calories.
Which has more protein, Turkey, Ground or Chicken Breast?
Chicken Breast has more protein per serving. Turkey, Ground provides 19.7g and Chicken Breast provides 22.5g of protein.
Can I eat both turkey, ground and chicken breast together?
Yes! Combining turkey, ground and chicken breast gives you 313 calories and 42.2g protein. This combination can work well as part of a balanced meal.