How Many Chicken Thighs Are in a Pound? Answering the Bone-In vs Boneless Question

Chicken thighs are a delicious and versatile cut of chicken that can be used in all sorts of recipes from soups and stews to casseroles, pastas, and more But when meal planning, an important question comes up how many chicken thighs actually come in a pound? The answer depends on whether you are working with boneless, skinless chicken thighs or bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs Here’s a complete breakdown so you know exactly how many thighs to buy and cook with for your desired yield.

Counting Bone-In Chicken Thighs per Pound

For bone-in skin-on chicken thighs you will get approximately 2 to 3 thighs per pound. According to Bone-In Chicken Thighs <b>2</b> equals approx 1 lb – packaged 2 to a pack — Open Pasture Meats.

This average accounts for the fact that bone-in thighs weigh more per piece due to the bone and skin being left on. Skin and bones make the thigh weigh more than a boneless, skinless version would.

When chicken thighs are sold bone-in, you can expect each thigh to weigh approximately 5 to 8 ounces on average. That puts 2 chicken thighs at approximately 1 pound or just slightly over.

So if you need 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for a recipe, plan to purchase approximately 2 pounds to have the right amount. Going with anywhere from 2 to 2.5 pounds would give you extra for leftovers or accounting for any smaller sized thighs in a package.

Counting Boneless Chicken Thighs per Pound

When you buy chicken thighs without bones or skin, you get more for your money because the bones and skin are taken away. One pound is equal to four to five boneless thighs.

Skinless thighs weigh about 3 to 4 ounces each because they don’t have any bones or skin on them. So you can fit more into a tighter pound.

In other words, if the recipe calls for 3 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, you will only need about 3/4 to 1 pound of chicken thighs. For 4 thighs, plan on 1 to 1 1/4 pounds. And so on from there.

If you buy boneless thighs, choosing ones that weigh between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 pounds will give you extra for leftovers or to account for small differences in size.

Key Takeaways on Chicken Thigh Counts per Pound

To recap the key takeaways on number of chicken thighs per pound:

• Bone-in chicken thighs – Approximately 2 to 3 thighs per pound
• Boneless chicken thighs – Approximately 4 to 5 thighs per pound

These averages provide a helpful guideline when shopping and prepping. But do keep in mind that exact counts can vary slightly based on the size of the chicken thighs you purchase. Free range and organic chicken may also weigh slightly different than conventional chicken.

Your best bet when following a recipe is to purchase a little extra weight than exactly what’s called for. Then you can weigh or count out the precise thighs needed and reserve any extras for future use.

Helpful Tips for Cooking with Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are nicely forgiving cuts of meat that are hard to overcook compared to chicken breasts. Here are some helpful tips for working with and cooking chicken thighs:

• Marinate ahead of time – Chicken thighs benefit greatly from marination. Let them soak up flavorful marinades for 30 mins up to overnight.

• Pat dry before searing – Dry off marinated or raw chicken thighs with paper towels before searing to help get nice browning.

• Cook to 165oF minimum – Chicken thighs need to reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a thermometer to check doneness.

• Sear then simmer – Browning chicken thighs first before braising or simmering boosts flavor.

• Broil or grill for char – Finish cooking chicken thighs under a broiler or on the grill to get crispy, charred exterior.

• Shred for salads, etc – Cooked chicken thighs are ideal for shredding or chopping into pieces for salads, sandwiches, bowls and more.

So now that you know exactly how many bone-in or boneless thighs are in pound, you can move forward with recipes and meal plans without any guesswork!