| Measure | Canned tuna (in water) | Chicken breast |
|---|---|---|
| Typical serving | 3 oz drained (85 g) | 3 oz cooked (85 g) |
| Protein per serving | 21.7 g | 26.4 g |
| Protein per 100 g | 25.5 g | 31 g |
| Calories per serving | 99 kcal | 140 kcal |
| Protein density | 88% of calories | 75% of calories |
| Share of 50 g Daily Value | 43% | 53% |
| Protein quality | Complete | Complete |
| Category | Seafood | Meat & poultry |
Compare foods · Canned tuna (in water) · Chicken breast
Protein comparison
Canned tuna (in water) vs Chicken breast: which has more protein?
Canned tuna (in water) gives you 21.7 g of protein per 3 oz drained; chicken breast gives you 26.4 g per 3 oz cooked. On equal weight it is 25.5 g against 31 g per 100 g. The full side-by-side, from the same USDA-sourced records as the rest of the site:
The verdict
Chicken breast has more protein on equal weight: 31 g per 100 g against canned tuna (in water)'s 25.5 g, a lead of 5.5 g. Per typical serving, chicken breast delivers 26.4 g (3 oz cooked) to canned tuna (in water)'s 21.7 g (3 oz drained), a difference of 4.7 g.
For the full breakdown of each food, see the protein in canned tuna (in water) and protein in chicken breast pages, each with its USDA FoodData Central record id.
Quick answers
Canned tuna (in water) vs Chicken breast FAQ
Which has more protein, canned tuna (in water) or chicken breast?
Chicken breast has more protein per 100 g: 31 g against 25.5 g. Per typical serving, canned tuna (in water) provides 21.7 g (3 oz drained) and chicken breast provides 26.4 g (3 oz cooked).
Is canned tuna (in water) or chicken breast more protein-dense?
Canned tuna (in water) is the more protein-dense of the two: about 88% of its calories come from protein, against 75% for chicken breast.
Are canned tuna (in water) and chicken breast complete proteins?
Yes, both. Canned tuna (in water) and chicken breast each supply all nine essential amino acids in adequate amounts, so either can carry a meal's protein on its own.
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