Chicken breast is one of the most popular and versatile proteins. Knowing how much 1 pound of chicken breast costs can help with meal planning and budgeting.
Quick Answer
On average, 1 pound of chicken breast costs between $2-$6 in the United States depending on the cut, quality, and source. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts typically range from $3-$6 per pound at most grocery stores. Prices may be slightly lower if purchasing chicken in bulk directly from a wholesaler. The price can fluctuate based on the season and whether it’s conventionally raised or organic.
Average Price per Pound of Chicken Breast in the U.S.
Here is a breakdown of the typical price range for 1 pound of chicken breast from different sources:
- Grocery store, boneless, skinless: $3-$6 per pound
- Butcher shop, boneless, skinless: $4-$7 per pound
- Bulk or warehouse club: $2-$5 per pound
- Online or meat delivery service: $3-$7 per pound
- Organic, free-range: $5-$10 per pound
- Whole chicken breast with bone, skin on: $1-$3 per pound
As you can see, the price can vary widely depending on the specific attributes of the chicken breast. The highest prices are typically charged for boneless, skinless breasts from the grocery store or butcher shop. Buying chicken in bulk quantities generally yields savings.
Factors Affecting Chicken Breast Prices
There are several factors that impact the retail price of chicken breast:
- Cut: Boneless, skinless breasts are more expensive than bone-in chicken breasts.
- Quality grade: U.S. Grade A chicken is more expensive than lower grades.
- Organic or conventional: Organic chicken can cost 50% or more than conventional.
- Free-range vs caged: Free-range and cage-free chicken costs more than conventionally raised chicken.
- Fresh vs frozen: Fresh chicken tends to be pricier than frozen.
- Season and supply: Prices tend to rise leading up to holidays when demand is higher.
- Grocery store vs warehouse: Warehouse clubs offer lower prices for buying in bulk.
- Specialty retailer: Butcher shops and organic food stores charge premium pricing.
Understanding these factors can help find the best value when purchasing chicken breast. For example, buying bone-in, skin-on breasts in bulk from a warehouse club can yield significant savings over boneless, skinless from a high-end grocery store.
Average Chicken Breast Prices by State
Chicken breast prices also vary by state based on factors like cost of living and transportation costs. Here are some average prices for 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast by state:
| State | Average Price Per Pound |
|---|---|
| California | $3.99 |
| Texas | $3.49 |
| Florida | $3.59 |
| New York | $3.99 |
| Illinois | $3.65 |
| Pennsylvania | $3.55 |
| Ohio | $3.45 |
| Michigan | $3.50 |
| North Carolina | $3.42 |
| Georgia | $3.39 |
As you can see, chicken breast prices are generally the highest in states like California and New York where the cost of living is higher. Prices tend to be lower in Southern and Midwestern states. But prices remain relatively stable nationwide for this popular staple protein.
How Chicken Breast Prices Have Changed Over Time
Over the past couple decades, the retail price of chicken breast has steadily increased though remained relatively affordable compared to other proteins like beef or fish. Here is a look at historical prices for 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the U.S. over the past couple decades according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
| Year | Average Price Per Pound |
|---|---|
| 1997 | $1.64 |
| 2000 | $1.89 |
| 2005 | $1.91 |
| 2010 | $2.58 |
| 2015 | $3.16 |
| 2020 | $3.73 |
| 2022 | $4.29 |
As shown, the average price per pound has more than doubled over the past 25 years from $1.64 in 1997 to $4.29 in 2022. However, the rate of increase has slowed in more recent years. Prices remained fairly stable between 2010-2020 before a larger spike over the past two years likely due to pandemic-related supply chain issues and inflation.
Outlook for Chicken Breast Prices Moving Forward
According to the USDA, chicken breast prices are forecasted to increase around 3-4% in 2023 as production costs rise for poultry producers. However, the increases are expected to be more modest compared to the sharp spikes seen in recent years. As production expands and supply chain pressures ease, the price outlook improves for this versatile protein.
Here are some of the factors that will influence chicken breast prices in the coming year:
- Grain prices easing – The cost of key inputs like corn and soybeans are projected to decrease after hitting record highs, which reduces chicken feed costs.
- Energy costs stabilizing – Volatile energy prices impacted the costs of transporting and refrigerating chicken.
- Higher production rates – Chicken producers are expanding operations to increase supply.
- Weaker demand growth – With inflation high, consumers may pull back on buying higher-priced proteins.
Barring any unexpected disruptions or surges in input costs, chicken prices are expected to see modest single-digit percentage increases in 2023 compared to sharp double-digit gains over the past two years. This should lead to relatively stable pricing in the $3-$4 per pound range for boneless, skinless breasts at retail.
Finding the Best Chicken Breast Prices in Your Area
While national average prices provide a benchmark, finding the best deals on chicken breast in your local area takes a bit of shopping around. Here are some tips:
- Check weekly flyers – Stores will often run specials and mark down chicken.
- Buy in bulk – Check warehouse club or restaurant supply prices.
- Compare quality grades – Opt for Grade A over higher grades to save.
- Look for store brands – This can offer significant savings over national brands.
- Consider bone-in – Removing the bone yourself yields around 30% savings.
- Buy larger packs – The price per pound usually drops for larger 3-5lb packs.
With the right strategies, you can find quality chicken breast for under $3 per pound in many parts of the country even when national averages are higher. Buying larger quantities when the price drops and freezing extras can help keep costs down while still enjoying this versatile and healthy protein.
Conclusion
In summary, the average price for 1 pound of chicken breast ranges from $2-$6 based on the specific cut, quality, source, and other factors. While prices have increased over the past two decades due to higher production costs, chicken remains an affordable and popular staple protein for most families. The price outlook moving forward remains relatively stable with modest single-digit increases expected in 2023 as supply expands and input costs decrease. Using smart shopping strategies and buying in bulk when deals are available can help yield savings on this nutritious protein.