How Many Chicken is 400 Grams? Your Comprehensive Guide

December 16, 2025 •

4 min read

Forty-five percent of raw chicken's weight can be lost during the cooking process, primarily due to moisture evaporation. However, when measuring raw chicken, understanding the number of pieces that constitute 400 grams is crucial for accurate portioning and recipe adherence, as the quantity varies significantly by cut.

Quick Summary

The number of chicken pieces in 400 grams varies greatly depending on the cut, with two medium breasts or four small thighs being common examples. Cooking methods will also impact the final cooked weight and volume of the chicken.

Key Points

Two Medium Breasts: 400 grams of raw chicken is typically equivalent to two medium-sized, boneless breast fillets.
Four Boneless Thighs: For boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 400 grams will generally yield around four pieces.
Weight Loss During Cooking: Raw chicken can lose up to 25% of its weight when cooked, mainly due to moisture evaporation.
Serving Size Flexibility: 400 grams can serve 2-4 adults, depending on the meal and individual appetites.
Measure Accurately: For precise measurements, especially for diet planning, always rely on a kitchen scale instead of estimating by piece count.
Cooked vs. Raw: To get 400g of cooked chicken, you'll need to start with approximately 530g of raw chicken.

Determining exactly how many chicken pieces equate to 400 grams is not a simple calculation, as it depends on several factors including the specific cut, whether it's bone-in or boneless, and even the size of the chicken itself. For example, 400g of chicken breast will contain a different number of pieces than 400g of chicken thighs. This guide breaks down the most common cuts to provide a clearer picture for your cooking and meal planning needs.

How Many Chicken Pieces are in 400 Grams?

400g of Chicken Breast

Based on packaging and average market weights, 400 grams of raw, boneless chicken breast typically consists of about two medium-sized fillets. Since an average raw breast fillet weighs approximately 180-225g, two fillets will land you squarely in the 400g range. If the breasts are smaller or if you are using pre-diced chicken, the number of pieces will increase accordingly. Diced chicken, for instance, is more about volume than individual pieces.

400g of Chicken Thighs

When it comes to boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 400 grams can be approximately four pieces. A single large raw thigh with the bone-in and skin on can weigh between 90-140g, meaning you might only get three or four pieces in 400g. Opting for boneless, skinless thighs is often preferred for meal prep as it provides a more consistent weight per piece and is easier to work with.

400g of Chicken Drumsticks

For 400 grams of chicken drumsticks, you can expect around two to three pieces. Raw drumsticks typically weigh between 110-170g each. This is a great choice for individual portions or for dishes where the bone is desirable for flavor, but it’s less suitable for recipes requiring boneless meat.

400g of Ground Chicken

Unlike whole cuts, 400 grams of ground chicken is a volume measurement. It is approximately 1.5 to 2 cups of raw ground chicken, which is perfect for burgers, meatballs, or sauces.

The Raw vs. Cooked Weight Conversion

It's important to note the difference in weight between raw and cooked chicken. As chicken cooks, it loses moisture and fat, causing its weight to decrease. Most protein sources lose about 25% of their mass during cooking.

400g Raw Chicken: After cooking, this will weigh significantly less. For example, 400g of raw chicken breast will yield around 300g of cooked chicken, depending on the cooking method and temperature.
400g Cooked Chicken: To get 400g of cooked chicken, you would need to start with approximately 530g of raw chicken (400g / 0.75). This is a crucial detail for anyone tracking macros or following specific dietary plans.

Comparison Table: 400g Raw Chicken by Cut


Chicken Cut	Approximate Pieces (Raw)	Raw Weight per Piece (approx.)	Typical Servings (approx.)
Breast Fillet (Boneless)	2 fillets	180-225g	2-4 people
Thighs (Boneless, Skinless)	4 pieces	90-140g	2-4 people
Drumsticks (Bone-in)	2-3 drumsticks	110-170g	1-2 people
Ground Chicken	N/A (Volume measurement)	N/A	3-4 people

Tips for Cooking and Meal Prepping with 400g of Chicken

Use a scale: For accurate portioning, especially when tracking nutrition, always use a digital kitchen scale. Eyeballing can lead to inconsistent results.
Adjust for cooking: If your recipe calls for 400g of cooked chicken, start with around 530g of raw chicken to account for the weight loss during cooking.
Versatile cuts: Boneless, skinless chicken breast and thighs are the most versatile for meal prep as their consistent shape and weight make them easy to divide into equal portions.
Cooking methods: The cooking method affects moisture retention. Frying or grilling can lead to more weight loss than baking or stewing.
Consider the meal: 400g can feed two people with hearty appetites or up to four people if the chicken is part of a larger, more complex dish with many other ingredients.

Conclusion

While a definitive answer to "How many chicken is 400 grams?" is impossible without specifying the cut, understanding the average weights for different parts provides a reliable framework for planning your meals. Generally, you can expect two medium breast fillets, or four boneless thighs. Remember to account for the approximately 25% weight reduction that occurs during cooking. Armed with this knowledge, you can approach any chicken-based recipe with confidence, ensuring accurate portioning and delicious results. For more detailed information on serving sizes for various cuts, you can consult helpful resources like this guide from PAK'nSAVE's Chicken Portion Sizes.

For further reading, check out the following references:

The Country Victualler. "Chicken Breast fillets (Pack of 2 - 400g)".
PAK'nSAVE. "Chicken Portion Sizes - Servings Per Person".
The Nessy Kitchen. "How Much Chicken? Converting Between Pounds, Grams and ...".
Whistler Grocery Delivery. "Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (approximately 400g or 4 ...".
modus-energy. "Raw vs. Cooked Food Measurement".

Frequently Asked Questions

A 400g portion of raw chicken can provide 2 to 4 adult servings. A standard serving size is often considered to be around 100-125 grams of raw chicken per person, but this can vary based on the recipe and dietary needs.

Visually, 400g of cooked chicken would appear smaller than the raw weight. It could be around 1.5 to 2 cups of shredded chicken or a couple of cooked breast fillets, depending on the moisture retained and the cut.

Yes, 400g is a large portion for a single person. It is more suitable for a main course for two to three people or for portioning out into multiple meals for meal prep.

No. Raw chicken typically loses about 25% of its weight during the cooking process due to moisture loss. Therefore, 400g of raw chicken will yield a lower weight of cooked meat.

Approximately 400 grams of raw, boneless chicken will yield about 1.5 cups of cooked, shredded chicken. The volume will depend on how finely the chicken is diced.

The calories depend on the cut and preparation. For example, 400g of raw, boneless, skinless breast contains around 480 calories, while adding skin or fat will increase this significantly.

Using a digital kitchen scale is the most accurate method. Estimating by piece count or size is unreliable because chicken sizes can differ greatly.

You would need to start with approximately 530 grams of raw chicken (400g divided by 0.75) to account for the weight loss during cooking.