So a recipe calls for a cup of chicken? Or a pound of chicken is on your ingredient list and youre wondering what the exact amount of pieces of boneless chicken breasts you need is? The next time youre looking at a recipe and wondering “but how much chicken is that??”, this post is here to help you figure out the exact amount- no kitchen scale required. [feast_advanced_jump_to].
Chicken breast is one of the most versatile and commonly used ingredients in home cooking Whether you are following a recipe or meal prepping for the week, knowing how to properly portion chicken breasts is an invaluable kitchen skill But the question arises – how many raw chicken breasts equal 2 cups of cooked, shredded chicken? Let’s find out.
An Overview of Chicken Breasts
Chicken breasts come from the pectoral muscle of the chicken This white meat is prized for its mild flavor, tenderness and nutrition
Chicken breasts are sold:
- Bone-in or boneless
- With or without skin
- Small, medium or large
On average, a raw boneless, skinless chicken breast weighs between 5-7 ounces. A bone-in breast is usually around 6-8 ounces.
Chicken dries out and gets smaller when it’s cooked. That is, the cooked yield is less than the raw yield.
Factors That Affect Yield
Several factors impact how much cooked chicken you end up with:
-
Size of the raw breast: Larger breasts give you more cooked chicken.
-
Bone-in or boneless: Boneless breasts have a higher yield of edible cooked chicken.
-
Cooking method: Grilling can cause moisture loss whereas poaching retains moisture and plumps up the chicken.
-
Shredding texture: Finely shredding compacts more into a cup than chunky shredding.
-
Cooking time: Overcooking dries out the chicken, reducing yield.
Calculating Chicken Breast Yield
Now let’s figure out how many chicken breasts you need to shred 2 cups of chicken.
-
A typical boneless, skinless raw chicken breast is around 6 ounces.
-
When cooked, you’ll get approximately 3-4 ounces of meat from a 6 ounce raw breast.
-
1 cooked breast (3-4 ounces) will shred into roughly 1-1.5 cups chicken.
-
So you’ll need 2 average sized chicken breasts (12-14 ounces raw) to yield 2 cups cooked shredded chicken.
This takes into account 30% loss from cooking. You might need to change the amount if your breasts are bigger or smaller.
Handy Yield Estimates
For quick reference, here are some estimates for chicken breast yield in cups:
- 1 small breast (4 oz raw): 3⁄4 cup shredded
- 1 medium breast (6 oz raw): 1-1.5 cups shredded
- 1 large breast (8 oz raw): 2 cups shredded
- 2 medium breasts (12 oz raw): 2 cups shredded
- 3 medium breasts (18 oz raw): 3 cups shredded
Preparing and Measuring the Chicken
Follow these steps for accurately measuring cooked shredded chicken:
- Weigh raw breasts on a kitchen scale
- Cook chicken until just done (165oF internal temperature)
- Let chicken rest and cool slightly
- Shred chicken into bite-size pieces with forks or stand mixer
- Lightly pack into measuring cup, leveling off top
Avoid compressing the chicken too densely into the cup when measuring or you may end up with less than expected.
Storing and Reheating Chicken
Here are some tips for storing and reheating your cooked shredded chicken:
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days
- Freeze for 2-3 months in airtight bags or containers
- Reheat gently in the microwave with a damp paper towel
- Reheat in a skillet with a bit of chicken broth
Sample Recipes
2 cups of shredded chicken is great for recipes like:
- Chicken tacos, burritos or quesadillas
- Chicken salad sandwiches or wraps
- Casseroles like chicken pot pie or enchiladas
- Chicken pasta dishes
- Soups and chilis
So now you know that around 2 average raw chicken breasts will yield 2 cups cooked shredded chicken for your favorite recipes. Understanding portion sizes takes the guesswork out of planning meals. With this handy guide, you can prep and cook chicken breasts with confidence.
Types of Chicken Meat
Lets first start off by talking about the most commonly used types of chicken in recipes.
Boneless chicken means that the bones (and usually the skin) have already been removed.
Therefore, the weight of chicken listed on the package is essentially what you will yield for meat.
Your options for boneless are:
- Chicken breasts (white meat)
- Chicken thighs (dark meat)
- Ground chicken (can be a combination)
The advantages of using boneless chicken are:
- Convenience
- Chicken cooks faster
- Can be added to recipes without much trouble, like this Yellow Thai Chicken Curry
However, it does tend to be more expensive.
When you buy bone-in chicken, the weight on the package includes the bone, so you won’t get as much meat as when you buy boneless chicken.
Your options for boneless are:
- Chicken breasts (white meat)
- Chicken thighs (dark meat)
- Drumsticks (dark meat)
- Wings (considered white meat)
- Whole Chicken (combination)
The advantages of using bone-in chicken are:
However, it does have a longer cook time and is a bit more work.
How Many Servings Per Pound of Chicken
So based on the above sizes for servings, we can calculate the amount of servings per pound (450 grams) or chicken.
Boneless– 4 servings
Ground– 4 servings
Bone-In– 2 servings
*Note: servings does not necessarily mean it will serve 4 people. It depends on the dish the chicken is being used in and dietary needs. I am referring to serving size as a standard measurement that is typically used on nutrition labels.
How many cups is two chicken breasts?
FAQ
How much is 2 cups of chicken?
Based on how many ounces each chicken breast weighs, you’ll need about two cooked chicken breasts to make 2 cups of cubed chicken. May 18, 2024.
Is 2 cups of chicken 1 pound?
In most cases, one pound of raw chicken breast will yield about 2 cups of cooked chicken. This is a common estimation, but the precise amount can vary based on how the chicken is cooked, such as whether it is grilled, boiled, or roasted.
How many cups are in a chicken breast?
As a general rule, for bone in chicken you need twice as much to yield the same amount of meat. 1 serving of chicken is equal to about 4 oz/ 100 grams/ ¾ cup. There is ⅓ pound chicken per cup of meat. 1 chicken breast is approximately 1. 5 cups of chicken.
How many chicken breasts for 4 cups shredded?
There are about 1 1/2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts that you’ll need to shred 4 cups of chicken.