Chicken breast is one of the most versatile and commonly used cuts of chicken. It’s lean, easy to cook, and relatively affordable compared to other protein sources. But with fluctuating market prices, what exactly is considered a “good price” for chicken breast?
In this article, we’ll break down the factors that influence cost, look at current market prices, and provide tips on getting the best deals on chicken breast.
What Impacts the Price of Chicken Breast
Several key factors impact the retail price of chicken breast:
Supply and Demand
The basic economic principles of supply and demand play a large role in chicken prices. When supply is low and demand is high prices tend to rise. Alternatively high supply and low demand lead to price drops.
Seasonal events like summer grilling season, holidays, or health kicks can influence demand. Supply can be impacted by things like diseases, weather, feed costs, and availability of workers. All these factors cause ebbs and flows in supply and demand, leading to price fluctuations.
Production and Transportation Costs
The costs involved in raising, processing, and transporting chicken can directly impact retail prices. Things like feed, labor, packaging, storage, and fuel influence the final production costs that get passed onto consumers. When input costs rise, chicken breast prices often follow.
Quality and Packaging
Higher quality chicken commands a higher price. Factors like organic, free-range air-chilled, and hormone-free production can increase costs and retail prices. Packaging options like portioned cuts marinated meats, and value-added products also fetch higher prices than basic chicken breast in bulk packaging.
Government Regulations and Tariffs
Government policies and trade regulations can affect supply chains and prices. Food safety regulations, inspections requirements, labeling laws, and tariffs on imported chicken can trickle down and impact the retail cost.
What’s the Current Price of Chicken Breast?
Chicken breast prices fluctuate regularly, but here are some general price ranges for boneless, skinless chicken breast in the U.S:
- Conventional: $1.99 – $5.99 per pound
- Organic/Free-range: $4.99 – $8.99 per pound
To get a sense of current prices in your area check grocery store ads or online grocery delivery sites. Prices can vary significantly based on location brand, store type, and other factors.
What’s Considered a Good Price?
There’s no definitive answer on what’s universally considered a “good price,” since it depends on your budget and preferences. However, here are some benchmarks to help guide your shopping:
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Under $2 per pound – This is an excellent price for budget shoppers stocking up on chicken breast. It likely reflects a temporary sale or bulk pricing.
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$2 – $3 per pound – This is a good regular price for conventional chicken breast in many parts of the U.S. Watch for sales in this range to get a good deal.
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$3 – $4 per pound – The average price in many grocery stores. This is still reasonable for conventional chicken breast.
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$4 – $5 per pound – On the pricier side for conventional chicken, but typical for higher-end products like organic and air-chilled.
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$6 per pound or more – Only worthwhile if purchasing a premium product or small portioned cuts. Too expensive for regular bulk chicken breast purchases.
In the end, aim for the best price within your budget parameters and preferences. Comparing unit prices and watching for sales can help find good deals.
Tips for Finding the Best Prices
Here are some tips and tricks to stretch your dollar when buying chicken breast:
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Buy in bulk – Larger bulk packs offer the lowest per-pound pricing. Break these packs down into meal-sized portions and freeze extras.
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Compare unit prices – Look at the posted price per pound, rather than package size, to find the best deal. Unit pricing helps compare apples to apples.
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Check weekly ads – Grocery store ads and online circulars highlight the best deals and sales. Stock up on chicken breast when it’s marked down.
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Shop warehouse clubs – Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale clubs offer discounted pricing for buying in bulk quantities.
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Consider store brands – Generic store brands are typically a bit cheaper than name brands for comparable quality chicken breast.
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Buy bone-in – Chicken breast with bones or skin costs 20-30% less than boneless, skinless cuts. Remove these yourself after cooking.
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Purchase large packages – Family packs, value packs, and club packs offer lower per-pound costs. Repackage for easier use.
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Download coupons – Check grocery store apps and websites for downloadable digital coupons to save more.
The Bottom Line
When looking for chicken breast deals, good prices typically range from $2-4 per pound for conventional products. Compare unit prices, buy in bulk, leverage sales and coupons, and adjust purchases to your budget to maximize savings. With some strategic shopping, you can keep this versatile protein affordable and stocked in your kitchen.
Buying power of $06 since 1997
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Chicken, over time, for $2.06 beginning in 1997. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | $2.06 | – |
| 1998 | $2.09 | 1.38% |
| 1999 | $2.10 | 0.42% |
| 2000 | $2.11 | 0.63% |
| 2001 | $2.17 | 2.98% |
| 2002 | $2.22 | 1.95% |
| 2003 | $2.24 | 1.22% |
| 2004 | $2.43 | 8.53% |
| 2005 | $2.48 | 2.05% |
| 2006 | $2.42 | -2.48% |
| 2007 | $2.56 | 5.75% |
| 2008 | $2.69 | 5.12% |
| 2009 | $2.73 | 1.45% |
| 2010 | $2.72 | -0.60% |
| 2011 | $2.77 | 1.84% |
| 2012 | $2.90 | 4.84% |
| 2013 | $3.05 | 5.32% |
| 2014 | $3.12 | 2.31% |
| 2015 | $3.13 | 0.31% |
| 2016 | $3.04 | -3.04% |
| 2017 | $3.06 | 0.71% |
| 2018 | $3.10 | 1.15% |
| 2019 | $3.09 | -0.24% |
| 2020 | $3.24 | 4.96% |
| 2021 | $3.41 | 5.28% |
| 2022 | $3.92 | 14.82% |
| 2023 | $3.99 | 1.83% |
| 2024 | $4.03 | 1.07% |
| 2025 | $4.08 | 1.17%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details. ** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Chicken:
| Year | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 101.385 | 101.815 | 102.454 | 105.508 | 107.569 | 108.877 | 118.169 | 120.592 | 117.600 | 124.363 | 130.727 | 132.622 | 131.821 | 134.250 | 140.754 | 148.246 | 151.667 | 152.141 | 147.513 | 148.556 | 150.268 | 149.907 | 157.347 | 165.657 | 190.212 | 193.695 | 195.761 | 198.056 |
Prices for Chicken, 1997-2025 ($06)
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for chicken are 98.06% higher in 2025 versus 1997 (a $2.02 difference in value).
The current national average price is $2.06 for “Chicken, fresh, whole, per lb. (453.6 gm)”. This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
Between 1997 and 2025: Chicken experienced an average inflation rate of 2.47% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, chicken costing $2.06 in the year 1997 would cost $4.08 in 2025 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.49% during this same period, inflation for chicken was lower.
The average price for Chicken is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Inflation rate is also calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows average prices and their corresponding “real” prices adjusted for inflation rate. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
Average prices for Chicken, fresh, whole, per lb. (453.6 gm):
| Year | Average price (Chicken) | Inflation adjusted price (2025 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.06 (latest available value) | $2.06 |
| 2024 | $2.00 | $2.02 |
| 2023 | $1.91 | $1.96 |
| 2022 | $1.80 | $1.87 |
| 2021 | $1.53 | $1.83 |
| 2020 | $1.56 | $1.97 |
| 2019 | $1.50 | $1.98 |
| 2018 | $1.50 | $1.97 |
| 2017 | $1.47 | $1.96 |
| 2016 | $1.46 | $1.97 |
| 2015 | $1.49 | $1.94 |
| 2014 | $1.53 | $2.00 |
| 2013 | $1.50 | $2.00 |
| 2012 | $1.42 | $2.00 |
| 2011 | $1.29 | $1.91 |
| 2010 | $1.26 | $1.90 |
| 2009 | $1.28 | $1.91 |
| 2008 | $1.21 | $1.83 |
| 2007 | $1.12 | $1.78 |
| 2006 | $1.05 | $1.77 |
| 2005 | $1.06 | $1.73 |
| 2004 | $1.07 | $1.79 |
| 2003 | $1.03 | $1.88 |
| 2002 | $1.07 | $1.98 |
| 2001 | $1.11 | $2.07 |
| 2000 | $1.07 | $2.07 |
| 1999 | $1.06 | $2.05 |
| 1998 | $1.04 | $2.04 |
| 1997 | $1.00 | $1.98 |
| 1996 | $0.97 | No data |
| 1995 | $0.92 | No data |
| 1994 | $0.90 | No data |
| 1993 | $0.89 | No data |
| 1992 | $0.87 | No data |
| 1991 | $0.88 | No data |
| 1990 | $0.90 | No data |
| 1989 | $0.93 | No data |
| 1988 | $0.85 | No data |
| 1987 | $0.78 | No data |
| 1986 | $0.84 | No data |
| 1985 | $0.76 | No data |
| 1984 | $0.81 | No data |
| 1983 | $0.72 | No data |
| 1982 | $0.71 | No data |
| 1981 | $0.73 | No data |
| 1980 | $0.71 | No data |
How much is chicken breast at Costco today? | Price Per pound | Good Quality| #shorts
FAQ
How much is 1 pound of chicken breast?
What’s the average price for chicken breast?
Going back to November 2022, chicken breast costs have fluctuated from a high of $4.15 to a low of $3.24 — with the average price during that time sitting at $3.50 per pound.
What’s a good price per pound for meat?
Too many variables – depends on store, quality of meat, and cost of living in your area. Pound ranges anywhere from $5-$10 generally speaking, outside of anomalies.
How much is a good amount of chicken breast?
The recommended single serving size of chicken is 3 to 4 ounces, about the size of a deck of playing cards.Jun 12, 2024