Chicken thighs are a versatile and flavorful cut of meat that is popular among home cooks and professional chefs alike. When preparing chicken thighs, it is important to understand how much to purchase and cook with for recipes. In this article, we will explore the typical size of boneless, skinless chicken thighs and provide tips for cooking with this tasty ingredient.
What is the Average Weight of a Chicken Thigh?
Chicken thighs come in a range of sizes depending on the size and age of the chicken. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the average weight of a chicken thigh with the bone in is 5.8 oz (164 grams). However, for boneless, skinless chicken thighs that have been trimmed of excess fat, the average weight is around 4 oz (113 grams).
This 4 oz portion is for a single thigh. So if you purchase a 1 pound (16 oz) package of boneless, skinless thighs, it will contain approximately 4 thighs. When purchasing chicken thighs at the grocery store or butcher shop, here are some general weight guidelines:
- 1 small boneless, skinless thigh: 3-4 oz
- 1 average boneless, skinless thigh: 4-5 oz
- 1 large boneless, skinless thigh: 5-6 oz
Keep in mind that weights can vary slightly based on the size of the chicken and how the thigh is trimmed. High quality, air-chilled chicken thighs often weigh on the higher end of the range.
Does Cooking Impact the Weight?
When cooking chicken thighs, some weight loss will occur as moisture evaporates. However, chicken thighs are known for retaining more moisture during cooking compared to chicken breasts. Here is an estimate of how much a 4 oz raw boneless, skinless thigh will weigh after cooking:
- Grilled or pan-seared: 3.5-3.75 oz
- Baked or roasted: 3.25-3.5 oz
- Slow cooked or braised: 3.5-3.75 oz
As you can see, acooked chicken thigh will be about 0.5-0.75 oz lighter than the raw weight. This needs to be accounted for when meal planning. If a recipe calls for 4 oz cooked chicken thigh per serving, you would want to start with about 4.5-4.75 oz raw.
How Many Servings in a Package?
Knowing the average weight of a single thigh along with expected cooking loss allows you to determine how many servings you will get from a package. Here are some common chicken thigh package sizes and the approximate servings they will provide:
| Package Size | Approx. # of Thighs | Approx. Cooked Servings |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 lbs | 6 thighs | 5-6 servings |
| 2 lbs | 8 thighs | 7-8 servings |
| 3 lbs | 12 thighs | 10-12 servings |
Keep in mind that serving sizes can vary based on the size of the thighs, as well as the size of the servings needed for your recipe. For example, if you are meal prepping thigh salads for lunch, 3-4 oz of cooked thigh may be plenty per serving. But for hearty appetites or entrees, 5-6 oz cooked would be more appropriate.
Typical Recipes and Serving Sizes
To give you a better idea of how chicken thighs are used in everyday cooking, here are some common recipes along with the serving size of cooked thigh meat:
- Chicken tacos or fajitas: 3-4 oz thigh meat per taco or fajita
- Chicken salad or wrap: 3-4 oz thigh meat
- Chicken soup: 4-6 oz thigh meat per bowl
- Chicken Casserole: 5-6 oz thigh meat per serving
- Chicken Parmesan: 4-6 oz breaded thigh meat
These serving sizes are general guidelines, but you can adjust up or down depending on your specific recipe and preferences.
Tips for Meal Planning
Here are some quick tips for incorporating chicken thighs into your meal planning:
- Plan for 4-5 oz raw, boneless, skinless thigh per average serving.
- Purchase 1.5-2 lbs thigh meat per 3-4 servings.
- Allow thighs to marinate overnight in the refrigerator for maximum flavor.
- Cook thighs to an internal temperature of 165°F-175°F for food safety.
- Saute, grill or bake thighs until deeply browned for the best texture.
- Freeze extra cooked thighs up to 3 months for quick weeknight meals.
Conclusion
The average boneless, skinless chicken thigh is around 4 oz raw. After cooking, expect 3.5-3.75 oz cooked weight per thigh. Standard packages provide 7-8 servings per 2 lbs of chicken thighs. Understanding the appropriate portion size and expected yield from chicken thighs allows you to shop confidently and cook recipes successfully. With their rich flavor, juicy texture and easy cooking method, chicken thighs are a satisfying and budget-friendly staple.