How Many Cups Is 150 Grams of Cooked Chicken? A Practical Guide

November 25, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutritional data, 150 grams of cooked, shredded chicken is approximately one cup. However, this conversion can vary significantly depending on how the chicken is prepared, highlighting why a kitchen scale is the most accurate tool for measuring 150 grams of cooked chicken.

Quick Summary

The conversion from 150 grams of cooked chicken to cups is not a fixed measurement, as it depends on the density and size of the chicken pieces. For shredded chicken, it's roughly one cup, while diced or chopped pieces will yield slightly different volumes due to air gaps.

Key Points

Conversion Varies: 150 grams of cooked chicken translates to approximately 1 cup, but the exact volume depends on the preparation method (shredded vs. diced).
Shredded vs. Diced: Shredded chicken occupies more space due to air pockets, while diced chicken is denser, leading to different volume measurements for the same weight.
Factors Impacting Volume: Moisture content and how the chicken is packed into the measuring cup are key variables that alter the final volume.
Accurate Volume Method: For volume, use a dry measuring cup, gently spoon in the chicken, and level it off without compacting for consistent results.
Weighing is Best: For maximum accuracy, especially for dietary tracking or precise recipes, a kitchen scale is the most reliable tool for measuring 150 grams.
Recipe Context: Always consider if a recipe specifies a particular type of chicken cut or packing instruction, as this will affect your conversion.
General Guideline: As a simple rule of thumb for most recipes, think of 150g of cooked chicken as roughly one standard measuring cup, particularly if it is shredded.

The Importance of Density in Measuring Chicken

Unlike liquid ingredients, which have a consistent density, solid foods like cooked chicken do not. The volume of 150 grams of chicken is directly affected by how tightly it is packed, the size of the pieces, and whether it is shredded or diced. A handful of loosely shredded chicken will take up more space than the same weight of tightly packed, finely diced chicken. Understanding this principle is the first step toward accurate kitchen conversions.

Factors That Influence Your Conversion

To get the most accurate estimate for how many cups is 150 grams of cooked chicken, you must consider several factors:

Preparation Method: Shredded chicken contains more air pockets than diced chicken, meaning you will need a larger volume of shredded chicken to reach 150 grams. Conversely, tightly packed diced chicken will occupy less volume for the same weight.
Moisture Content: The amount of moisture retained in the cooked chicken can slightly alter its weight and density. For instance, pan-fried chicken with a crispier exterior might have a slightly different weight-to-volume ratio than poached chicken.
Packing Technique: How you fill the measuring cup is crucial. Lightly spooning the chicken into the cup versus pressing it down firmly can alter the measurement significantly. For consistency, it is best to use a standard method, such as spooning it in and leveling it off gently.

Conversion Table: 150 Grams of Cooked Chicken to Cups

Here is a useful guide for estimating how many cups 150 grams of cooked chicken will be, based on its preparation. These are approximations, so for precise dietary tracking or baking, a food scale is always recommended.


Chicken Preparation	Approximate Volume (150g)	Notes
Shredded	~1 cup	This is the most common and widely accepted approximation.
Diced (small)	~0.75 to 1 cup	Smaller, more uniform pieces can be packed more densely.
Chopped (large)	~1.25 cups	Larger pieces leave more air gaps between them.
Ground	~0.8 cups	Densely packed and uniform, similar to diced but with less air.

Step-by-Step Method for Accurate Volume Measurement

When a kitchen scale isn't available, follow these steps to achieve the most consistent volume measurement for 150 grams of cooked chicken:

Select Your Method: Decide whether you are measuring shredded or diced chicken, as this determines your target volume.
Fluff Your Chicken: If shredded, use a fork to fluff the chicken before measuring to ensure air is evenly distributed.
Spoon and Level: Gently spoon the chicken into a dry measuring cup. Avoid pressing or compacting it. For a level cup, use the back of a knife or a flat spatula to scrape off any excess from the top.
Confirm Your Recipe: Always check if the recipe specifies a method for measurement (e.g., 'loosely packed' or 'tightly packed') and adjust accordingly.

The Case for Weighing Your Ingredients

For anyone serious about consistent cooking and baking results, using a kitchen scale is the most reliable option. It eliminates all guesswork related to density and packing. A digital kitchen scale is a relatively inexpensive tool that can elevate your cooking accuracy. As emphasized by cooking experts, volume conversions are inherently imprecise for solid ingredients. For example, 1 cup of chopped chicken is often cited as weighing around 150 grams, but this is merely an average. The exact amount will always depend on the individual preparation. For more on the benefits of weighing ingredients, see this article on the science of cooking. Why You Should Weigh Your Baking Ingredients.

Conclusion

While there is no single, perfect answer to how many cups is 150 grams of cooked chicken, the conversion is most reliably one cup for shredded chicken and slightly less for diced chicken. The key takeaway is that the volume measurement depends heavily on the preparation and packing of the chicken. For the highest degree of accuracy, especially in baking or dietary planning, investing in and using a kitchen scale is the best practice. For everyday cooking, however, the approximations provided here are excellent guidelines to ensure your recipes turn out as expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, raw and cooked chicken have different densities and weights. Raw chicken loses moisture during cooking, so 150g of raw chicken will yield a smaller amount of cooked chicken, resulting in a different volume measurement.

It is difficult because grams measure weight, and cups measure volume. Chicken is a solid ingredient with varying density depending on whether it is shredded, diced, or packed, making a single, precise conversion impossible.

150 grams of finely diced cooked chicken is typically a bit less than 1 cup, as the smaller pieces can be packed more densely with fewer air gaps. It is often closer to 0.75 to 1 cup, depending on the size of the dice.

While not strictly necessary for all cooking, a digital food scale is the most accurate tool for converting weight to volume and is highly recommended for baking, specific diets, and recipes that demand precision.

Packing the chicken firmly into the cup removes air and increases the density, resulting in a heavier, more compact cup of chicken. For a consistent volume measurement, it is best to pack loosely or gently spoon it in.

No, the conversion is not universal. The size and preparation (shredded, diced, ground) of the cooked chicken significantly impact the volume. For example, 150g of ground chicken will be more compact than 150g of large, chopped pieces.

For a rough estimate, you can assume 150 grams of cooked, shredded chicken is one cup. However, if your chicken is diced, it will be slightly less than a full cup. Always rely on a scale for the best accuracy.