Chicken breast, boneless
Boneless chicken breast price per pound
U.S. city average · June 2026
Boneless chicken breast averaged $4.18 per pound in June 2026, up 0.2% from last month and down 1.4% from last year, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average price data.
Chart shown: January 2006 – June 2026 · Full series: January 2006 – June 2026 (245 observations) · Source: BLS series APU0000FF1101.
Chicken breast prices rose 0.2% from May to June 2026 and are 1.4% lower than a year ago. Prices remain below the September 2022 peak of $4.75 but well above the 2006 level of $3.31.
Every historical year is consolidated into one complete archive with annual averages, monthly prices, and inflation-adjusted values.
From chicken breast to the full grocery basket
Chicken breast added $0.01 to June’s basket change.
Chicken breast vs. Chicken Legs
In June 2026, chicken breast averaged $4.18 per pound and chicken legs averaged $1.69 per pound. The difference was $2.49 per pound (147.7%).
What drives the price of chicken breast
Boneless chicken breast is cut from broiler (meat) chickens, so its price tracks the broader broiler market: feed-grain costs — corn and soybean meal — are the dominant factor, and U.S. production is large and responds relatively quickly compared with beef or pork. Breast meat also carries a premium over whole birds and dark meat because demand for the lean cut is high, so its retail price can move somewhat independently of cheaper chicken parts.
BLS series APU0000FF1101 tracks the average retail price of chicken breast, boneless at the U.S. city average, measured per pound and reported monthly back to 2006.
Background: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service — Poultry & Eggs. Price data: BLS series APU0000FF1101.
Chicken breast price FAQ
How much does a pound of boneless chicken breast cost right now?
As of June 2026, boneless chicken breast averaged $4.18 per pound at the national U.S. city average, per BLS CPI Average Price Data.
Are chicken breast prices going down in 2026?
The latest 2026 BLS reading shows chicken breast prices up 0.2% versus the prior month and down 1.4% versus a year ago (June 2026).
What is the highest price chicken breast has reached?
The record high is $4.75 per pound, set in September 2022; the record low is $2.90 in September 2018.
How many chicken breasts are in a pound?
About 2 to 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts weigh a pound, so at the latest $4.18 per pound a single breast runs roughly $1.67 and 8 oz costs about $2.09.
Where does this chicken breast price data come from?
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Average Price Data program, retrieved via the BLS Public Data API. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Average chicken breast price (U.S. city average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved August 1, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken-breast/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000FF1101. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken-breast/">Average chicken breast price (U.S. city average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000FF1101; retrieved August 1, 2026) Basket Report. (2026). Average chicken breast price (U.S. city average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken-breast/