Can chicken legs be used as a substitute for duck legs in a weight-loss meal?

Jul 24, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
In general, chicken thighs can be used as a substitute for duck thighs in a fat-reduction diet, but attention should be paid to removing the skin and controlling the portion size. When substituting chicken thighs for duck thighs, it is recommended to remove the chicken skin, as it contains a relatively high amount of fat. Duck thighs are not completely unsuitable for a fat-reduction diet; they can still be consumed in small amounts with the skin removed. In daily life, ingredients should be reasonably combined during the fat-reduction period.

Generally, chicken thighs can be used to replace duck thighs in a fat-reduction meal plan, but attention should be paid to removing the skin and controlling the portion size. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Both chicken thighs and duck thighs are categorized as poultry meat and are rich in protein, providing essential nutritional support for the body. In terms of fat content, duck thighs contain relatively higher levels of fat, mostly unsaturated fatty acids. After removing the skin, the fat content of chicken thighs decreases significantly, making them more suitable for the low-fat requirements during a fat-loss period. Substituting duck thighs with chicken thighs can help ensure adequate protein intake while better controlling fat consumption, typically without negatively affecting fat loss outcomes. However, excessive consumption—even of chicken thighs—may affect fat loss due to excessive total calorie intake.

When substituting chicken thighs for duck thighs, it is recommended to remove the chicken skin, as it contains a relatively high amount of fat. Duck thighs are not entirely unsuitable for a fat-reduction diet; consuming small amounts with the skin removed can also be acceptable. In daily life, while dieting for fat loss, ingredients should be reasonably combined. In addition to poultry meat, vegetables, grains, and other foods should also be included to maintain a balanced diet and support the goal of fat reduction.