Methods and cells for producing scattered branched-chain fatty acids are provided. For example, the invention provides a method for producing branched-chain fatty acid comprising a methyl on one or more even number carbons. The method comprises culturing a cell comprising an exogenous or overexpressed polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide that catalyzes the conversion of propionyl-CoA to methylmalonyl -CoA, such as propionyl-CoA carboxylase, and/or an exogenous or overexpressed polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide that catalyzes the conversion of succinyl-CoA to methylmalonyl-CoA, such as methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, under conditions allowing expression of the polynucleotide (s) and production of branched-chain fatty acid. The cell produces more branched-chain fatty acid comprising a methyl on one or more even number carbons than an otherwise similar cell that does not comprise the polynucleotide (s). A cell that produces branched-chain fatty acid and the branched-chain fatty acid also are provided.