How Many Chicken Tenderloins is 4 Oz? Answered!

October 16, 2023
Written by Kristy J. Norton
Edited by John Smits 

About 2 chicken tenderloins weigh 4 ounces. Keep in mind that this is an estimate - the exact number can vary depending on the weight of each chicken tender!

It was only after I got to culinary school that I realized just how important weight is when it comes to cooking. It can determine the amount of other ingredients used, the cooking time, portion size, etc. Knowing the weight of your meat is critical when cooking.

Discover just how much chicken there is per ounce, how to calculate how many pieces for any given weight, and how to have the right quantity for any meal!

How many chicken tenderloins is 4 oz

How Many Oz is a Chicken Breast Tenderloin?

The first thing that I need to remind you about is that all of the weights that I will be mentioning here are estimates.

At the end of the day, I can't possibly give you the exact weight of all the chicken tenderloins sold in grocery stores or butcher shops. The weight of chicken breasts and chicken tenderloins can vary quite a bit. How much fat is trimmed off, the size of the chicken when it’s butchered, and tons of other factors make exact figures impossible.

Phew. Now that I got my disclaimer out of the way let’s get some estimates out there.

On average, a chicken tenderloin weighs about 2 ounces. Some weigh more than that. 2 ounces of chicken tenderloin contains between 50 and 55 calories.

Is a Chicken Tenderloin 4 oz?

Yes, a single chicken tenderloin can weigh as much as 4 ounces or even more! (But most weigh around 2 ounces).

So, how many calories would a chicken tenderloin be if it weighs 4 ounces? A 4-ounce chicken tenderloin would be around 110 calories. Keep in mind these calorie estimates are for just the chicken. If the tenderloin is breaded or has, say, sugar added, this will increase the amount of calories.

How Many Pieces is 4 Oz of Chicken?

Considering that the average weight of each of the chicken tenders is 2 ounces, on average, there are 2 chicken tenders in 4 ounces of chicken.

This does depend on the total weight of each chicken tender, though. If the chicken tenders weigh 4 oz., then there will be just one chicken tenderloin.

Deep Fried Chicken Tenders with Fries

Can You Accurately Know the Weight of Chicken Tenders?

If you’re tired of eyeballing your chicken tenderloins and wondering how much they weigh, I’ve got the solution for you: buy a kitchen scale. I have this model from OXO. You’ll never guess the weight of your food again. It’ll help you become a better home cook, I promise!

On average, a chicken breast can weigh around 6 ounces. However, once again, it can be difficult to predict how many ounces of meat there can be in each piece. Chicken breast typically weighs anywhere from 4 ounces to 10 ounces.  A 4-ounce serving will contain around 110 calories, while a 10-ounce serving will have around 275 calories.

A tenderloin can be anywhere from 1/5th to 1/2 of the size of the chicken breast. Due to this, it can be difficult to determine how many ounces each tenderloin weighs.

Again, the easiest solution is to buy a kitchen scale. Take the guesswork out of your cooking!

Understanding Shrinking

All meat shrinks during the cooking process, including chicken tenderloins. As the meat is warmed, juices are expelled, which shrinks the meat.

So, even if you dredge the tenders in bread crumbs before deep frying them, the chicken is likely to shrink as it loses moisture. On average, the tenders will reduce about 25 percent in size.

Now, why is this important for you to know? Well, this piece of knowledge ensures that you take shrinkage into consideration when you are buying your tenderloin or breast.

While the raw meat maybe 4 ounces of chicken, the cooked result may be about 3 ounces or less. It is always best to err on the side of caution. If you want to guarantee that everyone has enough to eat, then always buy about 2 ounces more of meat per person. This way, each individual will still end up with about 4 ounces of chicken on their plate.

Note: if you are cooking the chicken in a lot of liquid, like a stew or in a slow cooker, then the shrinkage will be minimal. The chicken will absorb any lost liquid.

Fried Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Dip and Oranges

Wrapping It Up

There you have it - you now know how many chicken tenderloins in 4 ounces! On average, it will take 2 tenders to weigh 4 ounces, as tenders weigh around 2 ounces each.

Again, these weights are estimates. You should always check the weight listed on the packaging before making your purchase to ensure you buy the correct amount of food you need. Remember, chicken, like all meat,  has a tendency to shrink as you cook it. Take this into consideration when determining how much chicken to buy.

By Kristy J. Norton
I'm Kristy – a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! You can find me either in my kitchen (or someone else's) or at a big outdoor barbecue surrounded by friends and family. In both my professional and personal life I’ve picked up more than a few tips and tricks for turning out delicious food. I consider it a privilege to share it with others!
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