Chicken breast vs firm tofu

Key differences

• Chicken breast provides more protein per calorie: 18.8 g per 100 kcal, versus 11.6 g for firm tofu.
• Firm tofu has fewer calories: 78 kcal per 100 g, versus 120 for chicken breast, so the same calories come with more grams of food.
• Neither provides a meaningful amount of fiber: 0 and 0.9 g per 100 g.

Comparison per 100 g and per serving

In bold, the value more favorable to satiety when the gap is clear. Difference: Firm tofu minus Chicken breast. Source: USDA FDC 171077 and 172448.

Per typical serving

With typical servings, 150 g (5.5 oz) of chicken breast has about 180 kcal and 33.8 g of protein, and 100 g (3.5 oz) of firm tofu about 78 kcal and 9 g.

To get 20 g of protein you would need about 89 g of chicken breast (107 kcal) or about 221 g of firm tofu (173 kcal).

The typical serving is a common amount used for the math, not a recommendation. Ounces are rounded US equivalents; the values come from the database entries cited in the sources.

Which is more filling?

Chicken breast and firm tofu have the same estimated satiety score: 5 out of 5.

• 5/5Chicken breast: Low energy density; a lot of protein per calorie; high water content.
• 5/5Firm tofu: Calculation: 1 (base) + 2 (very low energy density: 78 kcal/100 g) + 2 (protein: 11.6 g/100 kcal) + 0 (fiber: 1.2 g/100 kcal) + 1 (solid food with 82.9 g of water) = 6; capped at 5.

The 1 to 5 score is our own estimate: it starts at 1 point, adds points for low energy density, for protein and fiber per 100 kcal, and for the water in solid foods, and subtracts points for drinks with calories. It is useful for comparing foods with each other; it is not a measurement in people.

When to choose each one

Chicken breast

• If you want more protein per calorie: 18.8 g per 100 kcal.
• If you want more protein in a typical serving: 33.8 g in 150 g (5.5 oz).

Firm tofu

• If you want to eat more grams for the same calories: 78 kcal per 100 g.
• If you prefer a lighter typical serving: about 78 kcal in 100 g (3.5 oz).

On a GLP-1 medication

Chicken breast. “High in protein”: plenty of protein per calorie; protein helps preserve muscle mass when you eat less. “Easy to digest”: a soft or low-fat food that many people tolerate well when they feel nauseous or get full quickly.

Firm tofu. “Easy to digest”: a soft or low-fat food that many people tolerate well when they feel nauseous or get full quickly. “Low energy density”: plenty of volume for few calories; make sure it does not push protein foods off your plate.

These are general guidelines, not medical advice: everyone tolerates foods differently.

Full food pages

• Chicken breast: every nutrient, frequently asked questions, and similar foods.
• Firm tofu: every nutrient, frequently asked questions, and similar foods.

Other comparisons

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• Chicken breast vs chicken thigh
• Chicken breast vs lean beef
• Chicken breast vs pork tenderloin
• Chicken breast vs eggs
• Eggs vs firm tofu

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