When you buy chicken to make meals for the week or for a big group, this post will tell you how much chicken to buy or serve each person.
And while the amount will depend on the cut of chicken and the occasion you’re cooking for, this post takes it all into consideration to help you figure out how much.
Chicken thighs are a flavorful and juicy cut of meat that is a favorite for many home cooks When serving chicken thighs, one of the most common questions is how much chicken thigh per person is needed to ensure everyone gets a satisfying portion. This guide provides tips and recommendations for calculating the perfect chicken thigh portion sizes for any gathering
Average Serving Size for Chicken Thighs
According to the USDA, the recommended serving size for cooked chicken is around 3-4 ounces per person. For chicken thighs specifically, a standard portion is generally one bone-in, skin-on chicken thigh per adult.
The average chicken thigh is 4-6 ounces in size. After being cooked, a 6-ounce raw chicken thigh has about 3–4 ounces of meat that can be eaten. This is because the bones and cooking liquid are taken out.
One normal-sized chicken thigh is enough for most adults as their main source of protein. But everyone has a different appetite, so serving sizes may need to be changed to fit.
Factors That Affect Serving Size
There are several factors that can impact appropriate chicken thigh portion sizes:
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Thigh size – Chicken thighs can range in size from 4oz to 8oz or larger. Larger thighs may yield more edible cooked meat per piece.
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Bone-in vs boneless – Boneless thighs contain only meat while bone-in thighs include bones which add weight. You may need to serve more boneless thighs by weight to equal a bone-in portion.
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Appetites: Think about whether you are serving light or heavy eaters. Active teenagers or men often require larger portions.
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Other menu items – If thighs are served alongside ample sides, smaller 3-4oz portions may suffice.
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Main or side dish: If chicken thighs are the main protein, they need to be served in bigger portions than if they are served with a hearty main dish.
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Special diets – Cater to vegetarian, gluten free, or other special diets with appropriate substitutions.
Recommended Serving Sizes
Taking these factors into account, here are some general recommendations for serving chicken thighs:
- Main protein/entree: 1 bone-in or 2 boneless thighs per average adult
- Hearty appetites: 1-2 additional thighs
- Teenagers/men: 1-2 extra thighs
- Side protein or part of a buffet: 1 bone-in or boneless thigh per person
- Children under 12: 1 boneless or half a bone-in thigh
For a dinner party or large gathering, plan for a total number of thighs equal to 1-2 thighs per person, allowing for larger portions for some. Providing a slight surplus is better than not having enough food for guests!
Buying Chicken Thighs for a Gathering
When purchasing chicken thighs to serve a group, keep the following boneless vs bone-in estimates in mind:
- There are typically about 2 bone-in chicken thighs per pound
- Allow for 1/2 pound boneless thighs per person as a main dish
- For boneless thighs as a side, allow 1/3 pound per person
- With bone-in thighs, allow 2 thighs (about 1/3 pound) per person as a main
- As a side, bone-in thighs can be reduced to 1 thigh per person
Chicken thighs can be prepared in advance, then reheated gently before serving. Take extra care to cool and refrigerate cooked thighs promptly and maintain safe temperature guidelines if preparing a day ahead.
Cooking Tips for Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are flavorful and juicy whether roasted, grilled, braised, or pan-seared. Here are some top tips:
- Allow skin-on bone-in thighs to brown for maximum flavor and crunch
- Roast at 375°F until cooked through (15-25 mins depending on size)
- Grill over medium high heat, turning every 5 minutes until just cooked through
- Braise in flavorful liquid like wine, broth, or barbecue sauce
- Pan sear in olive oil skin-side down first, then finish cooking through
Season simply with salt, pepper, and herbs or get creative with global spice blends and marinades. Chicken thighs pair well with all types of cuisines.
Perfectly Portioned Chicken Thighs
When serving a crowd, follow these tips for perfect chicken thigh portions:
- Choose uniformly sized thighs when possible for consistency
- Weigh thighs to determine the right number of pieces per portion
- Arrange thighs attractively on a large platter for buffet service
- For plated meals, serve one thigh bone-in or two boneless per plate
- Allow for second helpings so hearty eaters can have extra
- Be sure to provide vegetable, starch, and salad sides to complement the chicken
With the information in this guide, you can confidently determine how much chicken thigh to prepare per person. Whether hosting an elegant dinner or casual backyard barbecue, properly portioned chicken thighs make for happy, satisfied guests.
How Much Chicken Is a Serving?
According to the USDA My Plate program, the recommended daily intake of lean cooked poultry is 5 ½ to 6 ounces for adults and teens and 2 to 4 ounces for smaller children.
If you’re eating chicken twice a day, this is roughly two 3.5-ounce portions or one 6-ounce serving.
I like to treat the USDA recommendations as a guideline while being flexible to different factors such as recipe type and the people being served.
How Many Chicken Breasts Per Person
Anywhere from 4 to 6 ounces of boneless, skinless chicken breasts is enough for one adult and half that amount for kids.
Most people are used to being served a single chicken breast on a plate; and while some pieces are cut into a 6-ounce portion, others can be up to 10 ounces in weight!.
If you want to serve a breast-shaped piece of chicken, you could try butterflying the larger chicken breast pieces. This creates two equally sized portions out of one large breast.
You’ll want a little more than a 4-ounce serving of my juicy baked chicken breasts, and that’s fine.
Boneless Skinless Chicken breasts: 4 to 6 ounces per adult | 4 ounces per child
You can cook split chicken breasts, which have the bone in and the skin on. They have about 12 ounces of meat because they include the bottom of the breast and some rib meat.
Bone-In Split breasts: 8 ounces per adult | 6 ounces per child (includes bone-weight)
Split breasts are larger and are great for cooking chicken in bulk to make a batch of shredded chicken for soups, tacos, and pasta.
Every Good Cook Should Know This Recipe! Hubby Asks for it Everyday! Chicken Thighs Dinner in a Pan
FAQ
How much chicken thigh is a serving?
A standard serving of chicken thigh, with or without bones, is about 85 to 113 grams (3 to 4 ounces) of cooked meat. This is roughly the size of a deck of cards according to Verywell Fit.
How many chicken thighs to allow per person?
Pre-packaged chicken thighs can vary in size, so instead of going by number of pieces, portion the meat based on weight. As a general rule, each person should have about half a pound of boneless chicken thighs or three quarters to a pound of bone-in chicken thighs for the main course.
How much is a portion of chicken thighs?
Chicken Thighs Information. There is more meat on these tasty “Oyster Cut Thighs.” We put several servings in our special Recyclable Clear Pouches so they stay fresh at -18°c for two years.
How many servings are in 1 pound of chicken thighs?
1 pound Chicken Thighs, Boneless, Skinless, Organic, Free Range. 4 servings at 4oz each.
How many chicken thighs per person?
Understanding different serving sizes when it comes to chicken thighs is crucial for ensuring you provide enough food for your guests. A standard serving size for chicken thighs is typically considered to be around 1 to 2 thighs per person, depending on the individual’s appetite and the accompanying side dishes.
How much do chicken thighs weigh?
Chicken thighs on the bone can vary quite a bit in weight. The average package of four chicken thighs will weigh approximately 1 1/2 pounds. One chicken thigh will yield about 3 ounces of meat (without skin or bone), so for big meat eaters, count on two thighs per person. For kids and lighter eaters, one chicken thigh per person should be enough.
How many chicken thighs & drumsticks per person?
On average, you need 1 large piece of chicken (breast halve, thigh or drumstick) per person if the meat is part of a larger dish. If you were serving chicken fries, you would require 2-3 pieces of thighs or drumsticks per person or 6 pieces per individual in the case of chicken wings.
How many thighs per person?
If serving other main dishes or sides, 1 thigh per person may suffice, but for heartier appetites or if chicken is the main focus, 2 thighs per person might be more appropriate. It’s always better to overestimate slightly than to run out of food during a gathering.
How many chicken thighs do you need for a large gathering?
To calculate the quantity of chicken thighs needed for a large gathering, estimate around 1-2 thighs per person depending on the serving size and appetites of your guests. For a more accurate calculation, consider that one pound of bone-in chicken thighs typically yields about 2-3 servings.
How many pieces of chicken thighs are in 2 pounds?
Generally speaking, two pounds of chicken thighs will yield approximately 8-10 pieces, depending on their size. If the thighs are especially large, then the amount of pieces may be lower. Conversely, if the thighs are smaller than average, then the amount of pieces may be higher.