How many cups of chicken is a pound?

When cooking with raw chicken, it’s important to know how much chicken you need for your recipe. For many recipes, chicken is measured in pounds. But when prepping and cooking, it’s easier to measure in cups. So how many cups are in a pound of chicken?

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Quick Answer

In general, 1 pound of raw chicken is equal to about 2.5 to 3 cups when chopped or cubed. This varies a bit depending on if you are using chicken breasts, thighs, or a mix. Here is a quick overview:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts = 2.5 to 3 cups chopped

1 pound chicken thighs = 2 to 2.5 cups chopped
1 pound mixed chicken (breasts and thighs) = 2.5 to 3 cups chopped

Chicken Breast Measurements

Chicken breasts are lean and uniform in shape, so they are the easiest to calculate cup measurements for. Here are more details:

1 medium boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 6-8 oz) = 1 to 1.25 cups chopped
An average package of 2 chicken breasts (1 lb) = 2 to 2.5 cups chopped
A larger pack of 4 chicken breasts (2 lbs) = 4 to 5 cups chopped

So if your recipe calls for 1 pound or 16 ounces of boneless chicken breasts, you can plan on that being 2.5 to 3 cups once cubed or chopped into bite-sized pieces.

Tips for Measuring Chicken Breasts

Weigh chicken breasts for the most accuracy. Don’t rely on package size, as breast sizes vary.
Chicken can be cubed to 1/2 to 1-inch pieces, or chopped smaller depending on the recipe.

Pack chopped chicken into a measuring cup and level off. Don’t jam or compress it down.
1 cup of cubed chicken breast weighs approximately 5-6 ounces.

Chicken Thigh Measurements

Chicken thighs have a bit more variation in size and shape compared to breasts. They also contain bones and skin which can affect measurements. Here are some averages:

1 medium boneless, skinless thigh (about 4-5 oz) = around 3/4 cup chopped
1 pound boneless, skinless thighs = 2 to 2.5 cups chopped
1 pound bone-in thighs = about 2 cups meat chopped (after bone and skin removed)

Chicken thighs are often sold in 2 pound packages. Allowing for bone and skin, 2 pounds of bone-in thighs yields around 3 to 4 cups of chopped chicken meat.

Tips for Measuring Chicken Thighs

Weigh thighs for accuracy since sizes vary more than breasts.
Cube or chop thigh meat into bite-sized pieces.

If using bone-in thighs, you’ll need to account for discarded bone and skin.
1 cup chopped thigh meat weighs approximately 5 ounces.

Mixed Chicken Parts Measurements

Sometimes chicken packages contain a mix of breasts and thighs. This gives you more variation in taste and texture compared to just breasts. Here are the estimates:

1 pound mixed boneless, skinless chicken = 2.5 to 3 cups chopped
1 pound mixed bone-in chicken = 2 to 2.5 cups chopped meat

These averages take into account the differences between the thigh and breast portions. You get slightly less chopped meat compared to all breasts, but more than just thighs.

Tips for Measuring Mixed Chicken

Separate breasts and thighs before chopping if cutting in different sizes.
For bone-in chicken, remove bones and skin before chopping.
Chop each portion and combine before measuring cups.

Pack mixed chicken without compressing and level off.

Chicken Tenders/Strips Measurements

Chicken tenders or chicken breast strips are often called for in recipes, especially for appetizers like chicken fingers or kabobs. Here is how they generally measure:

1 pound chicken tenders = about 4 cups

1 pound chicken strips/cutlets = 3 to 4 cups

Tenders don’t need much chopping so they take up more space in the cup. Strips chopped into 1-inch pieces will be more dense.

Tips for Measuring Tenders and Strips

Leave tenders whole or slice/dice as needed for recipe.

Cut breast strips into uniform cubes or chunks before measuring.
Pack loosely without compressing chicken in the cups.
Weigh packages since strip and tender sizes vary.

Ground Chicken Measurements

Ground chicken has a fine, loose texture which takes up more space in a measuring cup:

1 pound ground chicken = 3.5 to 4 cups

This is about 1 cup more compared to the same weight of chopped chicken pieces. However, recipes with ground chicken often call for packing it into patties, meatballs, etc. which reduces the volume when shaping it.

Tips for Measuring Ground Chicken

Use a large spoon to scoop and level off cups.
Don’t compress or pat down chicken in the cup.
If making patties or meatballs, weigh the chicken first then divide into portions.

Chilled chicken is easier to shape than room temperature.

Chicken Measurements by Piece

For recipes calling for specific chicken pieces, here are some averages:

Chicken Piece	Weight	Cups (chopped)
Chicken breast	1/2 pound (8 oz)	1 – 1.25 cups
Chicken thigh	6 oz	3/4 cup
Chicken drumstick	2-3 oz	1/2 cup
Chicken wing	1-2 oz	1/4 cup
Chicken leg quarter	8-10 oz	1 cup

These averages are useful for recipes calling for a certain number of pieces. Just break down the whole chicken and measure out what you need.

Converting Chicken Bones to Meat

When using bony chicken pieces like wings, drumsticks, and thighs, you’ll lose some weight to the bones. Here are some estimates:

Chicken wings are 30% bone, 70% meat
Drumsticks are 34% bone, 66% meat

Thighs are 26% bone, 74% meat

So if a recipe calls for 10 ounces of wing meat, get 1.5 pounds of whole wings to allow for the bone weight. For drumsticks, get about 1.25 times the weight needed. For thighs, get about 1.2 times the bone-in weight.

Tips for Converting Bone-In Chicken

Weigh whole pieces to get accurate bone percentages.

Remove all bones before chopping/cutting chicken.
Factor extra weight if making broth with bones.
Refrigerate or freeze bones for another use.

Chicken Measurements for Stock

When making chicken stock, you typically use bony parts like wings, drumsticks, and feet. Here are some estimates for whole pieces:

1 pound chicken wings = 8 cups of stock
1 pound chicken drumsticks = 6-7 cups of stock

1 chicken carcass = 4-6 cups of stock

The more bone material, the more stock you yield. Meatier parts add flavor but less liquid volume.

Tips for Chicken Stock

Combine bony and meaty parts for balanced flavor.

Roast bones before simmering for deeper flavor.
Add chicken feet for collagen rich broth.
Simmer gently 3-4 hours, skimming fat/foam.

Canned Chicken Measurements

Canned chicken is a convenient shortcut when you need pre-cooked chicken. Here is how it measures compared to raw chicken:

5 oz can = about 1/2 cup
12 oz can = 1.5 to 1.75 cups

15 oz can = around 2 cups

Since canned chicken is already cooked, the texture is softer and volume slightly less compared to raw chopped chicken. Make sure to drain and rinse canned chicken before using.

Tips for Canned Chicken

Look for low or no sodium options.

Drain and rinse the chicken before use.
Fluff with a fork to break up chunks.
Substitute 1 cup raw chicken for 3/4 cup canned.

Frozen Chicken Measurements

Many recipes call for defrosted chicken, but what about when frozen chicken is specified? Here are some substitutions:

8 oz frozen chicken breast = approx 1 cup unthawed
8 oz frozen boneless thighs = approx 3/4 cup unthawed

8 oz frozen bone-in thighs = approx 1/2 cup unthawed meat

Because frozen chicken pieces are solidly packed, they take up less space compared to thawed. You’ll need to account for this when measuring frozen chicken directly.

Tips for Measuring Frozen Chicken

Weigh chicken while still frozen.

Pack tightly when measuring volume.
Allow extra time for defrosting if needed.
Defrost in fridge overnight, not at room temperature.

Cooking Yields for Chicken

Knowing the yields of cooked chicken compared to raw is also useful for meal planning. Here are some pointers:

1 pound raw chicken = 3/4 pound cooked
A whole roasted chicken yields about 3 cups shredded meat

1 rotisserie chicken (2-3 pounds) = 2-3 cups shredded meat
1 pound poached chicken = 2.5 to 3 cups shredded

In general, expect a 25-30% reduction in weight and volume after cooking. The moisture loss concentrates the flavor of the chicken.

Tips for Shredding Cooked Chicken

Discard skin and bones first for easier shredding.
Shred along muscle grain with forks or fingers.
Avoid over-shredding into mush.

For salads, dice cooked chicken into bite-sized chunks.

Substituting Chicken with Other Meats

In some recipes, chicken can be substituted with similar amounts of other meats:

1 pound chicken = 1 pound turkey, lean pork, shrimp or fish

1 chicken thigh = 1 pork chop or lamb chop
1 chicken breast = 1 fish fillet or fatty pork chop
Ground chicken = lean ground pork, turkey or beef

Adjust seasonings in recipe to complement the new meat. And keep cooking times the same as chicken unless swapping in pre-cooked meats like smoked ham or sausage.

Tips for Substituting Meats

Consider flavor profile and fat content of substitutes.
Use white fish for mild flavor or salmon for richer taste.

Grind or chop meats to match chicken texture.
Pre-cook meats like pork and shrimp if needed.

When to Weigh vs. Measuring Cups

While the cup measurements listed are useful for chicken recipes, the most accurate way to portion chicken is by weight, using a food scale. This takes the guesswork out of estimating cup amounts. Weighing is best when:

Following a recipe that lists chicken amounts in ounces or pounds.
Portioning chicken for meal prep or batch cooking.
Tracking nutrients and macros if you’re counting calories.

Ensuring consistency when cooking chicken in bulk.

However, if you don’t have a kitchen scale, the cup conversions in this article still work well for most recipes. Just be mindful that chicken can vary in density and pack differently in cups.

Tips for Getting Accurate Measurements

Use a food scale for portions under 1 pound.

Choose a durable scale that weighs in ounces and grams.
Check your scale calibration periodically for accuracy.
Use dry and liquid measuring cups as called for in recipes.

Key Takeaways

Here are some key points to remember when measuring chicken:

1 pound chicken breasts = 2.5 to 3 cups chopped
1 pound chicken thighs = 2 to 2.5 cups chopped

1 pound mixed chicken = 2.5 to 3 cups chopped
Chicken pieces vary in size so weigh for accuracy.
Pack chopped chicken lightly without compressing.

Count on losing 25-30% weight after cooking.
A food scale provides the most precision for chicken portions.

Knowing how chicken measures in cups and weight is helpful for tackling any recipe. With the conversions in this guide, you can be prepared to cook and measure chicken like a pro!