Chicken is one of the most popular sources of lean protein, making it a staple in many healthy diets. When cooking chicken or following recipes that call for chicken, it’s important to have an understanding of how much chicken weighs per ounce. This allows you to portion chicken properly and ensures you are getting the right amount for your recipe.
Quick Answer
6 ounces of raw, skinless, boneless chicken breast weighs approximately 170 grams or 6 ounces on a food scale. The exact weight can vary a bit depending on the size and texture of the chicken breast. However, the USDA lists the following approximate weights for 6 ounces of chicken:
- Raw, skinless, boneless chicken breast: 170 grams or 6 ounces
- Raw, skin-on, bone-in chicken breast half: 198 grams or 7 ounces
- Cooked, skinless, boneless chicken breast: 168 grams or 6 ounces
Detailed Breakdown of Chicken Weights
To provide more context, here is a detailed breakdown of the typical weight in grams and ounces for different cuts and states of chicken:
Raw Chicken
Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breast
- 2 ounces raw: 56 grams
- 4 ounces raw: 113 grams
- 6 ounces raw: 170 grams
- 8 ounces raw: 227 grams
Skin-On, Bone-In Chicken Breast Half
- 4 ounces raw: 142 grams
- 6 ounces raw: 198 grams
- 8 ounces raw: 248 grams
Chicken Thigh
- 2 ounces raw: 56 grams
- 4 ounces raw: 113 grams
- 6 ounces raw: 170 grams
Chicken Drumstick
- 2 ounces raw: 57 grams
- 4 ounces raw: 113 grams
Cooked Chicken
Skinless Boneless Chicken Breast
- 2 ounces cooked: 56 grams
- 4 ounces cooked: 113 grams
- 6 ounces cooked: 168 grams
- 8 ounces cooked: 227 grams
Skin-On, Bone-In Chicken Breast Half
- 4 ounces cooked: 124 grams
- 6 ounces cooked: 186 grams
- 8 ounces cooked: 248 grams
Chicken Thigh
- 2 ounces cooked: 56 grams
- 4 ounces cooked: 113 grams
- 6 ounces cooked: 170 grams
Chicken Drumstick
- 2 ounces cooked: 56 grams
- 4 ounces cooked: 113 grams
What Factors Affect Chicken Weight?
There are a few factors that can cause the weight of chicken to vary:
- Cut of chicken – Breast meat weighs more than an equivalent portion of thigh or drumstick.
- Bone-in or boneless – Boneless cuts weigh less than bone-in.
- Skin-on or skinless – Skinless chicken weighs less than chicken with the skin on.
- Raw or cooked – Raw chicken weighs more than cooked because cooking removes moisture.
- Chicken size – The size of chicken can range from small to jumbo, affecting the weight.
- Moisture content – Brining or marinating chicken can increase the moisture content and weight.
- Trim – Excess fat or cartilage trimmed from the chicken will decrease the weight.
When weighing chicken, your scale and technique can also impact the weight:
- Use a food scale for the most accurate measurements.
- Weigh chicken in grams for exact measurements.
- Weigh chicken raw unless the recipe specifies cooked.
- Weigh whole chicken pieces rather than cutting up.
- Remove excess moisture/ice before weighing chicken for the most accurate weight.
Typical Serving Sizes for Chicken
Here are some typical serving sizes for chicken, based on cooked, boneless, skinless chicken breast:
- 2 ounces – A snack-sized portion or protein serving
- 4 ounces – An average single serving
- 6 ounces – A larger meal-sized serving providing around 50g protein
- 8 ounces – An extra large serving or multiple servings
Keep in mind that serving sizes can vary based on your dietary needs and the recipe. For example, a chicken salad sandwich or casserole may contain 4-6 ounces of chicken per serving. Chicken main dishes likeChicken Parmesan may have 8-12 ounces of chicken per serving.
Here is a general guide to how many servings different amounts of chicken provide:
| Amount of Chicken | Approximate Servings |
|---|---|
| 8 oz | 2 servings |
| 12 oz | 3 servings |
| 1 pound (16 oz) | 4 servings |
| 2 pounds (32 oz) | 8 servings |
| 3 pounds (48 oz) | 12 servings |
| 4 pounds (64 oz) | 16 servings |
Tips for Getting the Right Chicken Weight
Here are some tips for getting the right amount of chicken for your recipes and meals:
- Use a food scale – Get an accurate weight in grams instead of relying on package labeling or eyeballing portions.
- Weigh it yourself – Don’t rely on the weight at the grocery store or meat counter.
- Weigh chicken whole – Then cut, slice, cube or shred chicken after weighing for a more precise raw weight.
- Remove bones and skin – For boneless, skinless weights.
- Trim excess fat – This avoids counting the fat towards the weight.
- Pat chicken dry – Remove excess moisture before weighing for a more accurate weight.
- Portion and package – After weighing, divide chicken into portioned ziplock bags or containers for easy use.
If a recipe calls for cooked chicken, you may need to weigh raw chicken and then account for moisture loss. Generally, cooked chicken weighs around 25% less than raw. So for 6 ounces cooked, weigh out 8 ounces raw. Or multiply the cooked amount by 1.25-1.3x to get the raw equivalent.
Nutrition Information for 6 Ounces of Chicken
A 6 ounce serving of chicken breast provides approximately:
- Calories: 230
- Protein: 50 g
- Fat: 3 g
- Carbs: 0 g
As a lean protein, chicken breast is low in fat and high in protein. A 6 ounce serving provides half of your recommended daily protein needs, as well as vitamins like niacin, selenium, vitamins B6 and B12.
Chicken thighs contain slightly higher amounts of fat and calories per ounce compared to breast meat. A 6 ounce serving of chicken thighs contains approximately:
- Calories: 390
- Protein: 54 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Carbs: 0 g
Chicken provides high-quality protein that contains all the essential amino acids your body needs. Consuming adequate protein promotes muscle growth and maintenance, weight management, satiety, and overall health.
Cost Savings of Buying Chicken by the Pound
To save money on chicken, consider purchasing whole chickens or larger packages of chicken breast/thighs and portioning them yourself. Buying chicken by the pound instead of smaller packages can significantly cut costs. Here is a comparison:
| Package | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1.5 pound package chicken breast | $4/lb = $6.00 total |
| 2 pound bag chicken thighs | $2.50/lb = $5.00 total |
| 1 pound package chicken breast | $7.99/lb = $7.99 total |
| 12 ounce package chicken breast | $8.99/lb = $6.74 total |
As shown, larger bulk packages can save over $2/pound compared to smaller 12 ounce packages. Even larger bulk sizes like 10 pound bags can provide even more significant savings per pound.
To portion larger packages of chicken yourself:
- Weigh out chicken into meal-sized portions (4-8 ounces).
- Seal portions in freezer bags or containers.
- Freeze extra portions to thaw and use later.
- Label bags with weight and date.
Cooking 6 Ounces of Chicken
A 6 ounce raw chicken breast weighs approximately 170 grams. Here is how long you would cook 170 grams or 6 ounces of chicken using various cooking methods:
- Bake: Bake at 400°F for 18-22 minutes
- Pan fry or sauté: Cook over medium-high heat for approximately 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway
- Grill: Grill over medium heat for 12-15 minutes, flipping occasionally
- Braise: Braise in sauce or broth for 20-25 minutes
- Broil: Broil on high for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway
- Poach: Simmer in liquid for 10-15 minutes until cooked through
- Air fry: Air fry at 380°F for 15-18 minutes, shaking occasionally
- Instant Pot: Manual high pressure for 8-10 minutes with natural release
The exact cooking time can vary based on the thickness and shape of the chicken breast. To ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F, use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
6 Ounce Chicken Recipes
To incorporate 6 ounces of chicken into your recipes, here are some recipe ideas that use approximately a 6 ounce portion of chicken per serving:
Skillet Chicken Recipes
- Lemon garlic chicken with asparagus
- Cajun chicken with peppers and onions
- Chicken fajitas
- Chicken and mushroom skillet
- Chicken piccata
Sheet Pan Chicken Recipes
- Chicken thighs with roasted broccoli and potatoes
- Chicken fajita vegetables
- Chicken sausage and veggies
- Chicken parmesan with zucchini
- Pesto chicken with tomatoes and green beans
Stovetop Chicken Recipes
- Chicken pot pie filling
- Chicken tortilla soup
- Chicken and dumplings
- Chicken noodle soup
- Chicken marsala
Grilled Chicken Recipes
- Grilled chicken Caesar salad
- Chicken kabobs with vegetables
- Grilled chicken tacos
- Jerk chicken with pineapple salsa
- Grilled chicken gyro pitas
Baked Chicken Recipes
- Chicken parmesan
- Baked chicken taquitos
- Ritz breaded chicken with roasted broccoli
- Chicken divan casserole
- Buffalo chicken mac and cheese
FAQs
How many ounces is 170 grams of chicken?
170 grams of chicken is equal to approximately 6 ounces of chicken.
Is 6 oz of chicken the same as a chicken breast?
Not necessarily. A typical whole chicken breast half weighs between 8-12 ounces depending on the size. A 6 oz chicken breast would be around half of a whole breast.
How much protein is in 6 oz of chicken breast?
There is approximately 50 grams of protein in a 6 ounce chicken breast, fulfilling almost all of your daily protein needs.
Can I substitute 6 oz of chicken with another meat?
You can substitute 6 ounces of chicken with similar portions of lean meat like 90-100g of pork, beef, turkey, fish, etc. Adjust cooking times as needed.
How long does 6 oz of chicken last in the fridge?
Raw chicken lasts 1-2 days in the fridge, while cooked chicken lasts 3-4 days refrigerated. For longer storage, freeze chicken.
Summary
To summarize, 6 ounces of raw chicken breast weighs approximately 170 grams. This portion provides around 50g of protein and 230 calories, making it great for meals and recipes. Buying chicken by the pound and weighing portions yourself can help save money. Cook 6 ounces of chicken thoroughly until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Incorporate 6 ounce portions into a variety of healthy recipes from skillet meals to casseroles, soups, salads, and more.
