Chicken thighs are a remarkably versatile and delicious cut of poultry. They’re juicy, flavorful, and often more affordable than chicken breasts. But when cooking with chicken thighs, it’s important to understand how much they typically weigh. The size and weight per thigh can vary substantially depending on the source and type. So let’s take a closer look at the average weight of a chicken thigh and the factors that influence it.
Typical Weight of a Single Raw Chicken Thigh
On average, one raw boneless skinless chicken thigh weighs between 4 and 6 ounces (113 to 170 grams). However, there are many variables that affect the size, so this is just a general guideline.
For instance, a small chicken thigh might only weigh 3 ounces. But a very large thigh, like one from a meat-bred stewing hen or broiler chicken, could weigh up to 7-8 ounces.
The most common weight range is
- Small chicken thigh: 3 to 4 ounces
- Average chicken thigh: 4 to 5 ounces
- Large chicken thigh: 6 to 8 ounces
Bone-in, skin-on thighs typically weigh more:
- Small chicken thigh: 4 to 5 ounces
- Average chicken thigh: 5 to 6 ounces
- Large chicken thigh: 7 to 10 ounces
So if you’re purchasing bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, expect them to weigh around 25% more than boneless, skinless thighs.
What Factors Determine Chicken Thigh Size?
Many factors influence the size and weight of chicken thighs, including:
Breed of Chicken
Some chicken breeds are selectively bred to produce more meat, which results in larger thigh size. Broiler or meat chickens will have bigger thighs compared to egg laying breeds.
Diet & Growing Conditions
Chickens fed a healthy diet with plenty of nutrients, and raised in clean housing with space to move, will generally be larger and meatier. Pasture-raised chickens also tend to have more developed legs and thighs from greater muscle activity.
Age & Size of Chicken
When compared to younger chickens, bigger, fully grown chickens will have thicker, heavier thighs. Chickens that are raised longer to a bigger slaughter size will have bigger thighs.
Part of the Thigh
The upper half of the thigh near the hip joint will be meatier and weigh more than the lower half towards the knee joint.
Bone & Skin
Bone-in, skin-on thighs will weigh significantly more than boneless, skinless thighs. The skin, bones, and cartilage account for about 25% extra weight.
Water Content
Some factory-made chicken can be injected with broth solutions to make it more watery. The total weight goes up when the water weight goes up, but the meat content stays the same.
Average Weights for Different Chicken Thigh Types
Now that we understand the factors involved, here are some typical weight ranges for various chicken thigh preparations:
-
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: 4 to 6 ounces
-
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs: 6 to 10+ ounces
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Organic/free-range boneless, skinless chicken thighs: 4 to 7 ounces
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Organic/free-range bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs: 6 to 11 ounces
Keep in mind heritage breeds, smaller chickens, and pasture-raised chickens may be on the smaller end of the ranges while commercial broiler chickens are often on the larger end.
Why Chicken Thigh Weight Matters
Knowing the average chicken thigh weight is useful for:
Recipe Planning
Adjust ingredient quantities if your thighs are smaller or larger than the recipe assumes.
Portion Control
Calculate calories, protein, and nutrients based on thigh weight.
Meal Prep
Determine how many thighs to buy and meals you can make.
Budgeting
Estimate cost per meal or total weight needed.
Cooking Times
Larger thighs may need longer cooking times.
So next time you’re prepping chicken thighs, take a moment to consider the typical weight. Weighing thighs with a kitchen scale helps match recipes and nutrition info. While size can vary, knowing the general 4-6 ounce average for boneless, skinless thighs is a helpful starting point.
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- Kadejan in Minnesota provides Market House with chicken. This is where the chicken is raised, processed, and air-chilled. The Kadejan chickens are raised in a low-stress environment without any hormones, antibiotics, or vaccines. Each chicken is processed by hand.
- All Kadejan chicken is air-chilled, which means it doesn’t go through any chemical or water immersion. The chicken is easier to cook, tastes better, and is better for you because of this. (Plus, you don’t have to pay extra for extra water weight!) If you need recipe ideas, try some of our favorites!
- For each order, dry ice is used to make sure it stays frozen all the way to your door.
- Thaw your chicken in the fridge overnight (eight to twelve hours) before cooking it. It could take longer or shorter time depending on how your fridge is set up.
- You can cook chicken thighs in the oven, on the grill, or in a skillet.
- For the safest food, cook chicken until the internal temperature reaches at least 165° F.
- Note: Eating poultry that is raw or not fully cooked may make you more likely to get foodborne illness.
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Kadejan in Minnesota provides Market House with chicken. This is where the chicken is raised, processed, and air-chilled. Kadejan chickens are raised in a low-stress environment without antibiotics, vaccines, or hormones, and all processing is done individually by hand.
With conventional chilling methods, chickens absorb added chlorinated water. Air chilling uses “cooling chambers” and eliminates the need for chlorinated ice water in the chilling process, meaning that the chickens’ natural juices never get diluted. Moreover, benefits of air chilling include more flavorful and tender meat, reduced human handling, and less environmental waste.
Kadejan chicks have been raised throughout their lifespan without antibiotics. They enjoy a diet of corn, expeller-pressed soybeans, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, the clean and stress-free environment helps to keep the chickens’ immune systems strong, eliminating the need for antibiotics.
Chicken legs are comprised of the thigh and the drumstick, the lower portion of the leg. You can purchase just the thighs, just the drumsticks, or the whole chicken leg, which includes both.
These chicken thighs are bone-in and skin-on (if you’re looking for boneless, skinless chicken thighs, you can find those here. ) Each pack contains four thighs, which weigh approximately 3-4 oz each. Everything you order from Market House will come packed with lots of dry ice to keep it cold on the way to your house.
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FAQ
How many ounces is 1 chicken thigh?
A single chicken thigh typically weighs between 3 and 4 ounces, though this can vary based on whether it’s bone-in, skin-on, or boneless and skinless. Boneless, skinless thighs are often around 3 to 3. 5 ounces.
How much does one chicken thigh usually weigh?
Average weight 20/24 oz or 1.2-1.5lb.
Is 1 chicken thigh 1 serving?
One chicken thigh has about 3 ounces of meat (without the skin or bone), so if you eat a lot of meat, plan on two thighs per person. For kids and lighter eaters, one chicken thigh per person should be enough.
How much is 3oz of chicken thighs?
A Look at the Health Benefits of Chicken Breast and Thighs To give you an idea, three ounces of meat is about the size of your palm.