When it comes to fried chicken, the breast is often seen as the healthier option. After all, it is leaner than the other parts of the chicken and has less fat. However, this does not mean that fried chicken breast is necessarily good for you. In fact, it can be just as unhealthy as other types of fried chicken.
How Many Carbs in a Fried Chicken Breast
A fried chicken breast contains about 19 grams of carbs. This is not a lot in the grand scheme of things, but it is important to remember that most of these carbs come from the breading. The actual chicken breast itself only has around 5 grams of carbs.
Fried chicken breast also contains a fair amount of sodium. A single breast can have upwards of 700 mg of sodium. This is more than a third of the recommended daily intake for sodium.
It is also important to note that fried chicken breast is often served with dipping sauces or other high-calorie sides. When these are factored in, the meal can be quite unhealthy.
What About the Fat Content
A fried chicken breast has around 10 grams of fat. This may not sound like a lot, but it is important to remember that fried chicken is very high in saturated fat. In fact, a fried chicken breast contains more than twice the amount of saturated fat as a grilled chicken breast.
Saturated fat is known to raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. For this reason, it is important to limit your intake of fried chicken.
It is also worth noting that fried chicken is often cooked in unhealthy oils. These oils can further increase the saturated fat content of the dish.
How to Prepare Healthier Chicken Breast
If you want to eat fried chicken breast without all the unhealthy consequences, there are a few things you can do.
First, look for fried chicken that has been cooked in healthy oils. Canola oil and olive oil are two good options. You can also remove the skin from the chicken before cooking it. This will help to reduce the fat and calorie content of the dish.
Finally, be sure to cook the chicken in a healthy way. baking or grilling are both much healthier than frying.
You can also cut down on the carbs by avoiding high-calorie sides and dipping sauces.
Should I Order Chicken Breast or Make it Yourself
Now that you know all this information about fried chicken breast, you may be wondering if it is better to order it at a restaurant or make it yourself.
If you are trying to eat healthy, it is always best to cook your own food. That way, you can control what goes into it and how it is prepared.
However, if you are going to order fried chicken breast at a restaurant, there are a few things you can do to make it healthier. First, you can order grilled chicken breast instead of fried. Grilled chicken is lower in fat and calories than fried chicken.
Second, you can ask for your chicken to be cooked without the skin. The skin is where a lot of the fat and calories are found. Finally, you can choose a healthier side dish to go with your chicken. A salad or a side of vegetables would be a good choice.