How Many Calories Are In A Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh? | Smart Portion Guide

A boneless, skinless chicken thigh has roughly 130–180 calories raw, or 180–230 calories cooked, depending on size.

Calories In A Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh: Quick Ranges

Most boneless, skinless thighs land between 80 and 120 grams raw. Using USDA-derived values, that’s roughly 130–180 calories per raw piece. After cooking, moisture loss concentrates the calories, and a typical cooked thigh ends up near 180–230 calories. The exact number depends on raw weight, time in the oven, and how much oil clings to the surface.

Per 100 grams, raw boneless skinless thigh sits near 120–140 calories. Per 100 grams cooked, roasted meat-only averages close to 200 calories. Those two views—per piece and per 100 grams—let you portion confidently no matter how your recipe is written.

Table: Calories Per Thigh By Size (Raw Vs. Cooked)

The rows below use a 25% weight loss during cooking, a common lab yield for roasted poultry. Treat it as a planning baseline, then adjust for your pan and oven.

Piece Size Raw (kcal) Cooked (kcal)
Small (80 g raw) ~130 ~180
Medium (100 g raw) ~160 ~210
Large (120 g raw) ~190 ~230

Counting is easier once you’ve set your daily calorie needs. Then a thigh fits neatly into your day, whether you’re pairing it with rice, potatoes, or a big salad.

Why The Numbers Vary

Raw Weight Differences

Grocery packs aren’t uniform. One tray can hold 80-gram pieces next to 120-gram pieces. If you track macros, weigh a sample rather than guessing from the label. Two medium thighs can differ by 60 calories before they hit the pan.

Cooking Losses

When thigh meat cooks, it releases water and a little fat. The cooked piece weighs less, so calories per 100 grams rise. USDA lab tables show yields for common methods, and roasted poultry often drops around one-quarter of its weight. That shift explains why cooked numbers look higher for the same piece.

Added Fats And Sauces

Oil boosts energy density fast. One tablespoon adds about 120 calories. If you pan-sear, measure the pour or wipe the pan with a teaspoon—small tweaks save more than a snack’s worth across a week.

Boneless Skinless Thigh Calories Per 100 G, Ounce, And Piece

Here’s a quick way to translate labels and recipes into everyday servings.

Per 100 Grams

Raw meat-only runs near 120–140 kcal/100 g. Cooked roasted meat-only centers around ~200 kcal/100 g. If your recipe calls for a braise or stew, the per-100 g figure stays in the same neighborhood because the meat—not the liquid—drives energy.

Per Ounce

Raw: ~35–40 kcal/oz. Cooked: ~50–65 kcal/oz. That’s handy when you portion by sight and your scale is tucked away.

Per Piece

Use the size rows from the first table and map to your plate. A pair of medium cooked thighs often lands around 400 calories before sauces or sides.

Close Look: Calories In A Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh (With Examples)

Say your raw piece weighs 100 grams. Using ~1.6 kcal per gram raw and a 25% cook-loss, you’ll eat roughly 210 calories after roasting. A larger 120-gram raw piece ends closer to 230 calories cooked. The math won’t match the label gram-for-gram, but it keeps you within a few bites of the true value.

Is Chicken Thigh Lean Enough For Goals?

Yes—if you trim visible fat and keep oil modest. Per 100 grams cooked, thigh sits near ~200 calories with rock-solid protein. That’s friendly for muscle repair and satiety. It’s also forgiving in the pan, so you get fewer dry dinners and less waste.

How Cooking Method Shifts The Count

Method doesn’t change the calories in the meat itself. What moves the needle is oil on the surface and any glaze or sauce. Use this quick guide for common approaches.

Method What Changes Calorie Tip
Roast/Grill Good browning; fat drips away Lightly oil or use spray
Pan-Sear More oil clings Measure 1–2 tsp, not a pour
Simmer/Stew Stock absorbs flavor Skim fat; track add-ins

Evidence: Where The Numbers Come From

For cooked thigh, nutrition databases built on USDA FoodData Central list about ~200 kcal per 100 g for roasted, meat-only cuts. You can review the full nutrient panel on the roasted chicken thigh page. To estimate cooked weights, USDA research tables report typical yields and moisture changes for poultry cooked with lab-standard methods; see the Table of Cooking Yields.

Portioning Tricks That Keep Flavor

Trim Before You Cook

Slide a knife under the seam of surface fat and remove it. You’ll save calories you can’t see and still keep the juiciness thigh meat is known for.

Use Small Oil Tools

Switch from a free pour to a measuring spoon or an oil mister. One teaspoon is about 40 calories. That’s plenty for a nonstick pan.

Rub, Don’t Drench

Dry spices add flavor without energy. If you glaze, brush a thin layer in the last minutes and count it like a condiment.

Thighs Vs. Breast: Calorie Trade-Offs

Thigh tastes richer and stays juicy with less effort. You’ll spend a few more calories per bite than breast, but the margin shrinks once you add oil or sauce to lean cuts. Pick the texture you like, then portion the plate to fit your plan.

Safety Note

Cook poultry to 165°F measured at the thickest point. Rest a few minutes so juices settle. A simple thermometer makes dinner easier to repeat.

Wrap-Up: Put It All Together

Weigh a sample thigh from the pack, apply the size row from the table, and tally any oil or glaze. That’s all you need to land within range every time. Want a step-by-step plan? Try our calorie deficit guide to line up your weekly targets.