Are Chicken Thighs Better Than Breast For Bodybuilders?

chicken thighs
May 3, 2023 0 Comments

Table of Contents

Introduction

In this article I will be answering the question “are chicken thighs better than breast for bodybuilders?”. This topic divides opinion as it depends on many factors and individual taste.

Both chicken breast and chicken thighs are great sources of protein. This article will delve into this topic in more detail and present a balanced view. 

Are Chicken Thighs Better Than Breast For Bodybuilders?

This will largely depend on which bodybuilder you talk to. But chicken thighs do have more fat than chicken breasts and they do taste better. They are more juicy and tender as a whole.

In addition, chicken thighs are cheaper than breast by some margin. Boneless skinless chicken thighs are slightly more expensive than regular chicken thighs and more comparable in price to chicken breasts.

Chicken breasts do have their place in a bodybuilding diet. If you are making wraps or fajitas, chicken breasts are a better option. Chicken breast is also a better option for stir fries and baked chicken breast is another tasty option.
chicken thighs

Chicken Thighs Are Cheaper

Chicken thighs are cheaper than chicken breasts in most countries in the world. In the UK for instance, chicken breasts are roughly double the price of thighs for the same quantity.

It should also be mentioned that boneless skinless thighs are more expensive than thighs with the bone on. If you buy boneless skinless thighs organic and free range, they will cost you more than chicken breast.

In most cases boneless skinless chicken thighs are still lower in price than breast for the same quantity. This means that chicken thighs are great to include in a bodybuilding diet for people on a budget.

If you want to save some money you can opt to buy chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. Even pro bodybuilder Evan Centopani in the video below explains that chicken thighs are a fantastic option on a budget.

Evan likes to trim the chicken thighs and grill them. He eats them along with potatoes and broccoli. It is a simple recipe but works well for bodybuilding purposes. You can put some hot sauce on the chicken thighs for even more flavour.

Thighs Have More Fat

Chicken thighs have more fat than breasts, consequently this adds to the flavour when cooking and makes chicken thighs taste better. 

Chicken thighs have around 2-3 times more fat than breasts for the same quantity. Boneless skinless thighs will have slightly less fat than standard chicken thighs. 

This also makes thighs good for bodybuilders in the off season when they are not competing. Thighs have slightly more calories than breasts and are good for bulking diets.

The protein profile is very similar. When you are cutting, chicken breasts are a better option than thighs as they have slightly more protein and less fat. 

It is also possible to include chicken thighs into a well balanced bodybuilding  diet for competing, but you have to watch your macros. It would be a good idea to incorporate both chicken breasts and thighs for the best of both worlds.

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Boneless Skinless Thighs

As mentioned before, boneless skinless thighs are more expensive than standard chicken thighs. They are still slightly cheaper than chicken breasts.

In my view, they serve as a good happy medium. You get fewer calories and less fat than standard chicken thighs. They are more convenient and are less hassle to work with when it comes to cooking preparation.

They also taste better than chicken breast. You can add seasonings and spice to make the chicken thighs taste even better. I would say that skinless thighs are a fantastic option and one that you can easily include as a staple in your diet for bodybuilding.

Chicken Thighs Meal Prep

Chicken thighs are a good addition for bulking as you can get more calories into your diet.

Simply cook your chicken thighs with some teriyaki sauce added once they have cooked on one side. Then just serve with rice and vegetables. This is an incredibly simple recipe that you can prepare in bulk ahead of time.

You can also add in more seasonings to your individual taste. 

Final Thoughts

Are chicken thighs better than breast for bodybuilders? For many bodybuilders, chicken thighs are a better option in the off season. When they are cutting, bodybuilders will typically go with breast for less fat and calories.

Chicken thighs do taste better and if you opt for boneless skinless thighs, you can benefit from slightly less fat and calories than standard chicken thighs. 

Chicken thighs are also significantly cheaper than breasts. Therefore, chicken thighs are a good way to go if you are on a budget. 

If you have any comments and want to share your thoughts, please leave them below. As always, stay safe and enjoy your training!

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