This is my go-to recipe for boneless chicken thighs. Its incredibly easy, making it perfect for weeknight dinners. Simply apply olive oil and spices to the thighs and bake them for 30 minutes. Its as easy as can be and so delicious.
I make chicken for my family a lot because it’s cheap and easy, and this is one of my favorite recipes. It has a winning combination of a truly easy recipe thats also delicious. The prep time is 10 minutes and the bake time is 30 minutes, so its a quick recipe, too. Even the leftovers are tasty, though I like to eat them cold rather than risk drying out the chicken by reheating it.
See the recipe card for exact measurements. Here are my comments on some of the ingredients.
Oven-baking is my favorite way of preparing chicken thighs. Its easy, but you dont sacrifice any flavor. The detailed instructions and step-by-step photos are included in the recipe card. Heres a quick overview.
Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and add olive oil and spices. I use my hands to make sure they are well-coated.
Arrange the chicken in a rimmed baking dish. A 9×13-inch pan works well. Bake the chicken in a 400°F oven until cooked through, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
Sometimes, when Im feeling lazy, I spray the thighs with olive oil and sprinkle them with a teaspoon of kosher salt and a tablespoon of Italian seasoning. They’re not quite as good as the original recipe, but they taste great, and my family likes this fun change. Heres a photo that shows what this version looks like:
Many recipes call for boneless chicken thighs, which are a tasty and versatile cut of meat. But when planning meals or keeping track of calories, it’s important to know how much a boneless thigh costs and how much it weighs. This full guide tells you everything you need to know about how much boneless chicken thighs cost, how much they weigh, and more.
Average Weight of a Boneless Chicken Thigh
The first thing to understand is how much an average boneless thigh weighs. According to research, the typical boneless, skinless chicken thigh weighs:
- 83g or 2.9oz
This is the weight of a medium-sized thigh. Sizes for thighs range from small (about 60g/2oz) to extra large (120g/4oz). So when you go shopping, you might see a range of 70–90g or 2 5 to 3. 2oz.
Keep in mind that the thigh has no bones or skin on it at all. Store-bought chicken thighs often still have the bone and/or skin on them, which adds weight and should be taken into account when figuring out total calories or costs.
Price Per Pound of Boneless Thighs
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs typically cost $2. 99 to $4. 99 per pound in U. S. grocery stores. This equates to $6. 58 to $10. 99 per kilogram.
Of course, pricing varies by brand, quality, and source. Sale prices may be on the lower end while premium and organic thighs cost more.
To compare, bone-in chicken thighs usually run $1.99 to $2.99 per pound. Going boneless adds convenience but increases the price.
Calorie Count of a Boneless Thigh
The calories in a boneless chicken thigh depend on the weight. Using average weights:
- An 80g or 2.8oz thigh contains around 90 calories
- A 100g or 3.5oz thigh has about 110 calories
Thighs are higher in fat than chicken breasts, with 5-8g of fat per 100g. But they are juicier and more flavorful, making them popular for stews, curries, and more.
How Many Thighs Per Pound or Kilogram
When shopping, it helps to know how many thigh pieces are in a package. Here are estimates:
- 1 pound = 4 to 5 boneless thighs
- 2 pounds = 9 to 10 boneless thighs
- 1 kilogram = 10 to 12 boneless thighs
So if a pack contains 6 thighs and weighs 1.3 pounds, you know the pieces may be on the smaller side.
Thigh Weight Before and After Cooking
Weighing thighs before cooking gives the most accurate nutrition data, as calorie counts are based on raw weights.
During cooking, expect thighs to lose around 25% of their raw weight from moisture loss. So a 100g raw thigh weighs about 75g after cooking.
Weigh cooked thighs only if using them in another dish, to get the exact amount.
Serving Size Guidelines
- 1 boneless, skinless thigh = 1 serving
- 2 boneless thighs = 1 serving if skin/bone remains
- 3 thighs per serving for a large meal
Adjust serving sizes as needed based on your calorie needs and meal plans.
Boneless vs Bone-In Chicken Thighs
Bone-in chicken thighs usually cost less per pound. But the bone makes up about 20% of the total weight.
Here is a comparison of boneless vs bone-in based on a 125g/4.4oz average thigh:
- Boneless: 83g, 110 calories
- Bone-in: 125g, 295 calories
While bone-in costs less, you get more edible meat buying boneless.
Buying and Storing Tips
- Inspect packaging carefully for tears, leaks, odor
- Check sell-by date and use within 1-2 days
- Store in coldest part of refrigerator, 0-4°C
- Place in freezer if not using within 2 days
- Defrost in refrigerator, not at room temp
- Cook within 1-2 days of thawing
Following proper safety, handling, and storage ensures thighs stay fresh and reduce food waste.
Common Questions
How many thighs in a 5 pound bag?
With 4-5 thighs per pound, a 5 pound bag contains 20-25 boneless thighs.
What’s the price per thigh?
With boneless thighs $3.99/lb, each 2.8oz thigh costs about $0.70.
How long do boneless thighs last?
Kept refrigerated at 0-4°C, thighs last 1-2 days. In the freezer, they last 4-6 months.
Can you refreeze thawed chicken thighs?
Previously frozen thighs can be refrozen safely if cooked. Do not refreeze raw thawed chicken.
The Bottom Line
- Boneless thighs average 80-100g or 2.8-3.5oz
- Expect to pay $3-5 per pound or $7-11 per kg
- Each thigh provides 90-110 calories
- Allow for 25% cook loss when calculating final weight
Knowing the typical weight, pricing, and serving guidelines for boneless thighs makes meal prep easier. Follow storage and food safety advice as well for delicious, healthy meals.
Using a Sheet Pan
I typically use a 9×13-inch ceramic baking sheet. I experimented with baking the thighs on a sheet pan, as shown in the photo below. The result was very good, and the thighs turned out nicely browned and flavorful, but I think a baking dish is better at keeping them juicy.
Since I bake the chicken in a 400°F oven, I like to serve it with a side dish I can cook in the same oven. So, I often serve it with any of the following:
It also goes well with simple side dishes that you can make on the stove, like zucchini noodles, sautéed mushrooms, and creamed spinach (see picture below).
Bake Different Sizes Together
Boneless chicken thighs come in different sizes when you buy them at the store in pre-packaged trays, as the picture below shows. Its OK to bake them all together until the biggest ones are cooked through. The small ones will still be juicy and delicious!.
You can trim the fat, but I dont, as shown in the photo below. Most of it melts away during baking, and what remains is delicious – fat adds flavor to food. The fat also helps protect the chicken from drying out in the oven, keeping it juicy.
