Alfaham Chicken: Calories, Nutrition and Health Benefits

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A quarter portion of Alfaham chicken with skin has about 380 calories, 41g protein and 23g fat, roughly 760 for a half and 1,500 for a full chicken. It is almost carb-free, so the porotta, mayonnaise and coleslaw served with it often add as many calories as the chicken. Taking the skin off cuts a quarter to about 300 kcal.

Quick Nutrition Facts

Per 1 quarter portion, skin on (about 150 g edible meat and skin, about 250 g with bone)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	380 kcal
Protein	41g
Carbohydrates	2g
Fiber	0g
Sugars	1g
Fat	23g
Sodium	700 mg

Macronutrient Breakdown

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NUTRITIONIST'S INSIGHT

Alfaham is a good protein hit with a catch: the skin and the sides. A quarter gives about 41g of protein for 380 kcal, which is a strong ratio, and the charcoal grilling needs little added fat. The skin holds close to half of the fat, and the salty marinade pushes sodium to about 700 mg a quarter or more. The usual plate also comes with mayonnaise dip and one or two porottas, which can add 300 to 500 kcal. Order a quarter, ask for the skin to be left on the side, take the salad and lemon, and keep the mayonnaise to a spoonful. A full chicken shared between four people is about 380 kcal each, but ordering one for yourself is closer to 1,500.

Myth Busters

MYTH #1: Grilled chicken is always low calorie, so Alfaham is diet food.

TRUTH: The chicken is lean protein, but a quarter with skin and marinade is about 380 kcal and 23g fat. A full Alfaham is about 1,500 kcal before porotta and mayonnaise, and the sides often double the plate. National Chicken Council: Nutrition & Health (USDA FoodData Central values for roasted chicken); Cookd: Al Faham Chicken recipe cooked on a salt bed

MYTH #2: Removing the skin makes no real difference.

TRUTH: USDA values show whole roasted chicken with skin at 239 kcal and 13.6g fat per 100 g, against 190 kcal and 7.4g fat meat only. On a 150 g portion that is about 75 kcal and 9g fat less. National Chicken Council: Nutrition & Health (USDA FoodData Central values for roasted chicken)

MYTH #3: It is only chicken and spice, so sodium is not a concern.

TRUTH: Plain roasted chicken has about 82 mg sodium per 100 g, but Alfaham is marinated in salt (and often MSG), so a quarter can reach 700 mg or more. The American Heart Association advises limiting sodium for blood pressure. National Chicken Council: Nutrition & Health (USDA FoodData Central values for roasted chicken); Cookd: Al Faham Chicken recipe cooked on a salt bed; American Heart Association: Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations

MYTH #4: The charcoal grill makes it healthier than fried chicken.

TRUTH: Grilling adds no breading or frying oil, which helps. But the marinade often includes oil, mayonnaise and egg, and the skin stays on, so it is lighter than fried chicken without being a low-fat dish. Cookd: Al Faham Chicken recipe cooked on a salt bed; Kothiyavunu: Al Faham Chicken, Arabian grilled chicken recipe

NutriScore by Health Goals

Health Goal	NutriScore	Why This Score?
Weight Loss		41g protein for about 380 kcal keeps you full, as long as you skip the mayonnaise and porotta and ask for the skin off. National Chicken Council: Nutrition & Health (USDA FoodData Central values for roasted chicken)
Muscle Gain		About 41g of complete protein per quarter, and a half portion covers most people's single-meal target. National Chicken Council: Nutrition & Health (USDA FoodData Central values for roasted chicken)
Diabetes Management		Only 2g carbs in the chicken, so glucose stays flat. The porotta served with it is the part that spikes blood sugar. National Chicken Council: Nutrition & Health (USDA FoodData Central values for roasted chicken); Cookd: Al Faham Chicken recipe cooked on a salt bed
Heart Health		Skin on adds saturated fat (about 3.8g per 100 g) and the marinade adds salt. The American Heart Association recommends skinless poultry. American Heart Association: Saturated Fats; American Heart Association: Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations; National Chicken Council: Nutrition & Health (USDA FoodData Central values for roasted chicken)
PCOS Management		High protein and almost no carbs help steady insulin, provided it is not paired with refined-flour porotta every time. National Chicken Council: Nutrition & Health (USDA FoodData Central values for roasted chicken)

PERSONALIZED NUTRITION

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Blood Sugar Response to Alfaham Chicken

A quarter of Alfaham chicken has about 2g of carbohydrate, so on its own it barely moves blood sugar: a gentle rise of about 10 mg/dL from the protein and any marinade sugar. The curve changes when it is eaten with two porottas or rice, which add refined carbs and drive a clear peak within an hour. National Chicken Council: Nutrition & Health (USDA FoodData Central values for roasted chicken); Cookd: Al Faham Chicken recipe cooked on a salt bed

Estimated Blood Sugar Response (1 quarter, chicken only)

Modeled estimate for a person without diabetes, not a measured trace. Individual responses vary, and sides such as porotta change the curve.

How to flatten the spike

Eat the chicken first, then the salad, and take smaller portions of porotta or rice.
Swap porotta for a salad, grilled vegetables or one chapati.
Choose a quarter or half portion rather than a full chicken to share.
Take a 10 to 15 minute walk after the meal to lower any rise from the sides.

Cultural Significance

Alfaham is an Arabian-style charcoal-grilled chicken, marinated in a spice mix with yogurt and lemon, that became a restaurant staple in Kerala over the past two decades. It sits with kuzhimandi, shawaya and mandi in the wave of Arab-influenced food in Malabar, a coast with centuries of trade links to the Gulf. Restaurants sell it by the quarter, half and full chicken, typically with porotta, mayonnaise dip and a cabbage salad, and it is a common order for group dinners and after-prayer outings in Kozhikode, Malappuram and Kannur.

Compare & Substitute

Alfaham Chicken vs Similar Foods

Nutrient	Alfaham chicken, skin removed (150 g quarter)	Grilled chicken breast, skinless (150 g)	Roasted chicken thigh, skinless (150 g)	Grilled white fish such as cod (150 g)
Calories	300 kcal	248 kcal	269 kcal	158 kcal
Protein	41g	46.5g	37g	34g
Carbohydrates	2g	0g	0g	0g
Fat	14g	5.4g	12.2g	1.3g

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in Alfaham chicken?

A quarter portion with skin has about 380 calories, a half about 760 and a full chicken about 1,500. These are estimates from USDA roasted chicken values plus marinade, since restaurants rarely publish figures.

How much protein is in a quarter Alfaham chicken?

About 41g of protein from roughly 150 g of edible meat and skin, based on 27.3g per 100 g for roasted whole chicken in USDA data.

Is Alfaham chicken healthy?

It is a high-protein, almost carb-free dish, so it fits weight loss and muscle gain well. Skin, salt and the mayonnaise and porotta served with it are the weak points, so ask for the skin off and keep sides small.

Is Alfaham chicken good for diabetes?

The chicken has about 2g carbs and barely moves blood sugar. The porotta, rice and sweet mayonnaise served with it are what raise glucose, so swap them for salad or vegetables.

What is the difference between Alfaham and tandoori chicken?

Alfaham uses an Arabian-style spice mix, often with yogurt, mayonnaise and lemon, and is grilled over charcoal. Tandoori uses an Indian spice and yogurt marinade cooked in a clay oven. Calories are similar for the same cut with skin.