How Heavy Are 6 Chicken Thighs? A Complete Weight Guide

December 4, 2025 •

3 min read

According to UK butchers, a pack of approximately six boneless, skinless chicken thighs can weigh between 800 grams and 1 kilogram, or roughly 1.75 to 2.2 pounds. This translates to a considerable difference depending on the cut and individual thigh size, which is a crucial detail for anyone planning a meal. Understanding how heavy are 6 chicken thighs will help you portion meals accurately and budget for groceries more effectively.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the weight of 6 chicken thighs, differentiating between bone-in and boneless cuts. It covers average raw weights, factors affecting total weight like trimming and moisture loss, and practical applications for recipe planning. Calculate your portion sizes with ease for any dish.

Key Points

Weight Varies by Cut: Six bone-in, skin-on thighs typically weigh more (approx. 1.5–2.25 pounds) than boneless, skinless thighs (approx. 1.1–1.8 pounds).
Consider Cooking Shrinkage: Chicken loses about 25–30% of its weight during cooking due to moisture loss, so cooked weight will be less than raw weight.
Account for Bone and Skin: Bone and skin contribute significant weight; remove these factors for boneless calculations.
Check Product Labels: For accuracy, always check the net weight listed on the package, as individual thighs can vary in size.
Plan for Portions: Six thighs typically serve 3–4 adults, depending on whether they are boneless or bone-in and the size of the appetites.
Influencing Factors: Chicken breed, age, and processing methods (air vs. water chilling) can all affect the final weight of the thighs.
Cooking Method Matters: Cooking at lower temperatures can help reduce moisture loss and thus minimize weight shrinkage.

Average Weight of 6 Chicken Thighs

To determine the weight of six chicken thighs, you must first establish the average weight of a single thigh based on its preparation. This calculation assumes raw, uncooked chicken.

For Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Thighs

A bone-in, skin-on chicken thigh typically weighs between 4 to 6 ounces (113 to 170 grams). This cut includes the weight of the bone and skin, which contributes to its overall mass.

Calculation: Using the average weight of 5 ounces (142 grams) per thigh, a batch of 6 thighs would weigh approximately 30 ounces, or 1.88 pounds (852 grams).

For Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs weigh less due to the removal of the bone and skin. An average boneless, skinless thigh is typically between 3 to 5 ounces (85 to 142 grams).

Calculation: Taking the average weight of 4 ounces (113 grams) per thigh, a set of 6 would be around 24 ounces, or 1.5 pounds (680 grams).

Factors That Influence the Weight of Chicken Thighs

Several variables can affect the final weight of your chicken thighs, from the moment you purchase them to the time they are cooked.

Breed and Slaughter Age

The breed of chicken and its age at slaughter play a significant role in the size of the retail cuts. Older, more mature chickens typically have larger thighs, leading to greater average weight per piece.

Chilling Method

Commercial chicken processors use either air-chilling or water-chilling methods. Water-chilling can cause the chicken to absorb water, increasing its weight by up to 10%, while air-chilling can result in a slight weight loss due to evaporation. This means two seemingly identical packages from different brands could have different weights.

Trimming and Preparation

The butcher's trimming process can also affect the weight. Skin-on thighs often include a layer of fat that adds to the weight. Similarly, the size of the bone can vary. When purchasing boneless thighs, some may have been more meticulously trimmed than others, leading to slight weight variations.

Comparison: Bone-In vs. Boneless Thigh Weight


Feature	Bone-In, Skin-On Thigh	Boneless, Skinless Thigh
Average Individual Weight	4–6 ounces (113–170 grams)	3–5 ounces (85–142 grams)
Estimated Weight for 6 Thighs (Raw)	1.5–2.25 pounds (680–1,020 grams)	1.1–1.8 pounds (510–850 grams)
Meat-to-Bone Ratio	Approximately 65–70% meat	100% meat (before cooking)
Flavor Impact	Skin and bone add moisture and richness during cooking	Less fat may result in a slightly less rich flavor
Cooking Time	Longer due to the presence of the bone	Shorter, ideal for faster cooking methods

Estimating Cooked Weight and Recipe Yield

Keep in mind that chicken will shrink during the cooking process due to moisture loss. A cooked chicken thigh will weigh approximately 25–30% less than its raw weight.

Example calculation for boneless thighs:

Raw Weight: 1.5 pounds (24 ounces)
Moisture Loss (25%): 0.375 pounds (6 ounces)
Cooked Weight: Approximately 1.125 pounds (18 ounces)

This shrinkage is important for meal prepping and calculating serving sizes, as a portion size should be based on cooked weight, not raw. Using these estimates, six boneless thighs could yield around 4 servings, while six bone-in thighs might serve 3 to 4 people, depending on portion size preferences.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice

The weight of six chicken thighs depends primarily on whether they are bone-in or boneless, with boneless cuts weighing significantly less. For accurate meal planning and portion control, it is best to weigh your chicken thighs at home or, at minimum, check the product label for the net weight. By understanding these key weight variables and considering cooking shrinkage, you can ensure your recipes are consistent and your servings are just right every time.

Additional Resources

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service: For more information on poultry and food safety.
Healthline: Calories in Chicken: Detailed nutritional information on different chicken cuts.
The Spruce Eats: Poultry Serving Sizes: A general guide on purchasing poultry.

Frequently Asked Questions

A single raw chicken thigh can vary in weight. On average, a bone-in, skin-on thigh is about 4–6 ounces (113–170 grams), while a boneless, skinless thigh is around 3–5 ounces (85–142 grams).

Six boneless, skinless chicken thighs typically weigh between 1.1 to 1.8 pounds (510–850 grams) raw, based on an average individual weight of 3–5 ounces.

Six bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs generally weigh between 1.5 to 2.25 pounds (680–1,020 grams) raw, with each thigh averaging 4–6 ounces.

Yes, chicken thighs lose weight during cooking due to moisture loss. On average, you can expect a 25–30% reduction in weight after cooking.

For an average adult, 6 chicken thighs typically yield 3 to 4 servings, depending on the cut (bone-in vs. boneless) and the overall portion size desired.

Yes, the weight difference is significant. A bone-in thigh includes the bone and often more fat, which increases its raw weight compared to a boneless, skinless thigh of the same size.

For the most accurate measurement, use a kitchen scale. Place the 6 chicken thighs on the scale and record the total weight. This accounts for any variation in individual thigh sizes.

The bone in a chicken thigh typically accounts for a significant portion of its weight. After deboning, the meat yield is roughly 65–70% of the bone-in weight.