Chicken thighs are a very versatile and tasty piece of meat. They’re juicy, flavorful, and often more affordable than chicken breasts. There is, however, a weight that you should know before cooking with chicken thighs. Size and weight per thigh can be very different depending on where they come from and what kind they are. That being said, let’s look more closely at what makes a chicken thigh’s average weight change.
Typical Weight of a Single Raw Chicken Thigh
One raw chicken thigh without bones or skin weighs about 4 to 6 ounces (113 to 170 grams). There are, however, many things that can change the size, so this is only a rough guideline.
For example, a small chicken thigh may only weigh around 3 ounces But a very large thigh, such as from a stewing hen or broiler chicken bred for meat, 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
If you buy chicken thighs with bones and skin on them, they will weigh about 25% more than chicken thighs without bones and skin on them.
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 that are raised in clean housing with plenty of room to move and are fed a healthy diet with lots of nutrients will usually be bigger and meatier. Chickens raised on pasture also tend to have stronger legs and thighs because they use their muscles more.
Age & Size of Chicken
Larger, fully mature chickens will have thicker, heavier thighs compared to younger chickens. Chickens raised longer to a bigger slaughter size will produce larger 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 mass-produced chicken can be injected with broth solutions to boost water content. Higher water weight increases the total weight but not the actual meat content.
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
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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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Market House chicken is supplied by Kadejan, located in Minnesota, where the entire raising, processing, and air-chilling process occurs. 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. There is no need for chlorinated ice water in air chilling because it uses “cooling chambers” instead. This means that the chickens’ natural juices never get watered down. 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. The clean and stress-free environment also helps the chickens’ immune systems stay strong, so they don’t need 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.
There are bones and skin on these chicken thighs. If you want boneless and skinless chicken thighs, you can find them 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 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 much is 3oz of chicken thighs?
Nutritional Comparison of Chicken Breast and Thighs For reference, three ounces of meat is about the size of the palm of your hand.