What Does 8 Ounces of Chicken Breast Look Like? A Complete Visual Guide

Chicken breast is one of the most popular and versatile proteins. It’s lean easy to cook and a great source of protein. But when a recipe calls for 8 ounces of chicken breast, what exactly does that look like?

We’ll show you exactly what 8 ounces of raw and cooked chicken breast looks like and give you tips on how to measure it correctly in this full visual guide. This guide will help you see how much chicken you need whether you’re making chicken for meal prep or following a recipe.

What is 8 Ounces and How Much Does It Weigh?

First, let’s define what 8 ounces actually means.

8 ounces is equal to 1/2 pound or 227 grams.
On a food scale, 8 ounces of chicken breast will weigh between 225-230 grams depending on the size and shape.
For perspective, a deck of playing cards is about 8 ounces. So 8 ounces of chicken is about the same weight as a deck of cards.

What Does 8 Ounces of Raw Chicken Breast Look Like?

The size and shape of raw chicken can vary a bit, but here are some general ideas about what 8 ounces looks like:

It will be approximately 4 inches long, 3 inches wide, and 1 inch thick.
Picture a chicken breast fillet that is about the size of a smartphone or small paperback book.
Lay it flat and it would be roughly the size of a deck of cards or a bit larger.
Two palm-sized raw chicken cutlets laid on top of each other would equal 8 ounces total.

It should be light pink and white, and it shouldn’t be slimy. It should be smooth and firm. When cooked, 8 ounces of raw chicken breast has about 2 to 3 servings of protein for one person.

What Does 8 Ounces of Cooked Chicken Breast Look Like?

When chicken is cooked, it loses moisture and shrinks in size. 8 ounces of cooked chicken breast looks like:

1 cooked chicken breast fillet, approximately the size of a deck of cards or a bit larger.
It will be 3-4 inches long, 2-3 inches wide, and around 1/2 inch thick.
If cut into a cube shape, 8 ounces equals about 2 cups of cubed chicken breast.
Shredded, 8 ounces of chicken is around 3 packed cups.

The color will be white throughout when fully cooked. If you poke it, it should feel firm but juicy, not dry or rubbery.

How to Measure 8 Ounces of Chicken Without a Food Scale

If you don’t have a food scale handy, here are some simple tricks to eyeball 8 ounces of chicken:

Look at the palm of your hand – a piece of chicken that matches this size is about 4 ounces. So two palm-sized pieces would equal 8 ounces.
A deck of cards or smartphone is right around 8 ounces. Use it as a guide for the length and width.
1 cup of diced or shredded cooked chicken is roughly 8 ounces.
For uncooked chicken, an 8 ounce piece will be approximately the size of a small paperback book before cooking.

With practice, you’ll be able to visually recognize how much chicken you need for recipes without needing to weigh it every time.

Frequently Asked Questions about 8 Ounces of Chicken Breast

How many chicken breasts are in 8 ounces?

Typically, one average sized boneless, skinless chicken breast fillet equals 8 ounces. Chicken breasts can range from 6-8 ounces each though, so size may vary. Two small 4 ounce chicken breasts could also equal 8 ounces.

How many servings is 8 ounces of chicken?

8 ounces of cooked chicken breast provides around 2-3 servings of protein for 1 person. For adult men, 8 ounces is approximately 1 serving. For adult women or older adults aiming for 5-6 ounces of protein per meal, 8 ounces would provide about 1.5 servings.

How many calories are in 8 ounces of chicken breast?

8 ounces of skinless, boneless cooked chicken breast contains around 165-200 calories depending on whether it is grilled, baked or pan-fried. There are around 110 calories in 8 ounces of raw chicken.

How much protein is in 8 ounces of chicken?

There are around 35-40 grams of protein in 8 ounces of cooked chicken breast, making it an excellent source of this nutrient. Protein helps build muscle, keeps you feeling full longer, and provides sustained energy.

Should I weigh chicken breast before or after cooking?

For the most accuracy, weigh chicken before cooking. Raw chicken loses around 25-30% of its weight during cooking as moisture evaporates. So 8 ounces of raw chicken will yield a smaller cooked amount of around 5-6 ounces.

How long does 8 ounces of chicken breast take to cook?

The oven method takes 15-20 minutes at 425°F. Grilling or pan frying takes 10-12 minutes per side. Baking in foil or poaching will take 12-15 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally.

How do I know if 8 ounces of chicken is done cooking?

Check the internal temperature using a food thermometer. Chicken is fully cooked at 165°F. The juices will run clear and the meat will be white throughout when sliced. It will feel firm to the touch yet still moist and juicy inside.

How long does cooked chicken breast last in the fridge?

Cooked chicken stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge will last 3-4 days. Freeze any leftovers for longer term storage up to 4 months. Reheat fully to 165°F before consuming cooked chicken that has been refrigerated.

Tips for Preparing and Cooking 8 Ounces of Chicken Breast

Season chicken with herbs, spices, salt, pepper, garlic, or marinades for flavor.
Bake, grill, pan fry, or poach chicken gently to retain moisture and prevent it from drying out.
Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness instead of cutting into chicken.
Allow chicken to rest 5 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.
Slice against the grain of the meat for a more tender texture.
Store cooked chicken breast in an airtight container and use within 3-4 days.
Freeze extras in meal-sized portions to thaw and use later.

Putting 8 Ounces of Chicken Breast into Action

Now that you know what 8 ounces of raw and cooked chicken breast looks like, you can easily portion it for recipes, meal prepping, or general nutrition tracking.

Some examples of ways to use 8 ounces of chicken include:

Chicken salad sandwiches with 1 diced breast
Sheet pan dinners with chicken and veggies
Meal prepped chicken with rice and broccoli
Chicken Caesar salad with grilled or baked breast
Chicken noodle soup with shredded or cubed meat
Fajitas with sautéed strips of chicken

Chicken breast is incredibly versatile, so get creative with how you flavor and prepare your 8 ounce portions!

what does 8 oz of chicken breast look like

Can You Boil Chicken Thighs, Too?

Most of the time, I cook chicken breasts this way, but you can also cook chicken thighs this way if you’d like.

Boneless chicken thighs will take about 10 minutes to cook.
Bone-in chicken thighs will take about 15 minutes to cook.

Cook as many breasts (or thighs) at once as you like. They cook best when in a single layer, so use a pan big enough to hold everything.

Add Flavor to Your Boiled Chicken

For seasoning the poaching liquid during cooking, I most frequently use peppercorns, bay leaves, lemon slices, and garlic. You could also think about using sliced ginger, sliced scallions, fresh rosemary or thyme, or orange slices.