Verdict
Per 100 g, chicken breast has 31 g of protein vs 25.9 g in regular ground beef, with 165 kcal vs 250. Almost all of the gap is fat: 3.6 g in the chicken, 15.4 g in 85/15 beef. With extra-lean (95/5) beef it drops to roughly 160 kcal and 6 g of fat per 100 g — calories nearly tie, but chicken still wins on protein.
When to choose Chicken breast
- You're in a calorie deficit and want the most protein per calorie.
- You want a neutral base for the whole week: shredded, grilled, meal-prepped.
When to choose Ground beef (85/15)
- You want more iron and zinc — red meat is a much richer source of both.
- You're bulking and the extra calories don't matter. Even then, leaner cuts keep the fat in check.
Values per 100 g of ready-to-eat food, from the Brazilian Food Composition Table (TACO) and USDA FoodData Central. They vary by brand, cut and preparation. Educational estimates, not individual nutrition advice.