Skin vs Skinless Chicken: Which Is Best for Flavour and Health?

Meat lovers have a special fondness for chicken, and for many, a Sunday meal feels incomplete without it. Yet one question often sparks debate: should the skin be removed? Some believe it’s unhealthy, while others enjoy its rich flavour. Let’s take a closer look at the facts.

Nutritionists say two-thirds of chicken skin is fat. Surprisingly, most is unsaturated fat. It has heart-healthy omega-6 fatty acids, which help balance blood cholesterol levels.

If you don't want to gain weight, be careful with chicken skin.
Skinless chicken (170g): Has just 280 calories.
Chicken with skin (170g): Has about 380 calories.
This means chicken with skin adds about 100 extra calories.

Cooking chicken with skin has a big plus. The skin's natural oils make the meat tender. A great tip: cook with the skin on, then remove it before eating. This adds flavor without the extra fat.

Some should avoid chicken skin: 

Weight loss seekers: Extra calories. 

Heart patients: Clot risk. 

Diabetics: Need low-fat protein. 

High cholesterol: Stick to skinless.

Gym-goers building muscle get great protein from chicken. Any food is healthy in moderation. You should decide whether to eat the skin or not based on your personal health.