Claire Thompson
If you're planning on making pulled chicken sandwiches, you'll need to know how much chicken you'll need per person. A good rule of thumb is to allow for 1/4lb to 1/2lb of pulled chicken per sandwich, depending on your bun size and how hungry your guests are. For example, if you're using a larger bun and expect your guests to be very hungry, you might want to allow for 1/2lb of chicken per sandwich. On the other hand, if you're using smaller buns and expect your guests to have lighter appetites, 1/4lb of chicken per sandwich might be more suitable. So, for 2 pounds of pulled chicken, you can expect to make around 4 to 8 sandwiches, depending on your bun size and the appetite of your guests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of pulled chicken per bun | 1/3-1/2 lb |
| Amount of pulled chicken per person | 1/4 lb, 1/2 lb, or 6 oz |
| Number of people served by 1 lb of pulled chicken | 2.25 |
| Considerations | Kids eat less than adults, teens eat a lot, and truckers eat more than ballerinas |
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What You'll Learn
Pulled chicken Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts or thighs (boneless and skinless)
- Chicken broth or water
- Seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, etc.)
- Tomato sauce
- Ketchup
- Brown sugar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Yellow mustard
- Pickles (for serving)
- Buns
Method
- Shred the chicken breasts or thighs. You can do this by cooking the chicken in a slow cooker or crockpot, or by cooking boneless, skinless thighs in butter in a pan on the smoker.
- Make the sloppy joe sauce by combining tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and yellow mustard in a saucepan. You can adjust the amount of brown sugar and ketchup to your liking, and add a splash of water or chicken broth to adjust the consistency.
- Combine the shredded chicken with the sloppy joe sauce in the slow cooker or crockpot, or simply add the sauce to the pan if you're cooking the chicken that way.
- Stir everything together, cover, and cook for a few minutes until heated through.
- Serve piled on buns with sliced pickles and any other toppings you like.
Tips
- You can make the chicken sloppy joe mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- If you prefer a drier sandwich, let the sauce reduce while the chicken cooks. For a wetter, saucier sandwich, cover the pan while cooking to prevent reduction, and/or add more water or broth at the end.
- This recipe is very versatile when it comes to seasonings. You can add anything from cajun seasoning to taco seasoning, or even a bit of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Yield
This recipe should yield around 4 servings. A good rule of thumb is that 1 pound of pulled chicken will make around 2.25 sandwiches, depending on bun size and how hungry your guests are!
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How much pulled chicken for a crowd
When cooking for a crowd, it's important to consider who you are serving. Are they big eaters? Will they be having one serving or more? When people serve themselves, they usually take more than one serving, so it's a good idea to prepare for that. It's also worth thinking about whether the pulled chicken will be the only food available or if there will be other proteins and side dishes.
If the pulled chicken is the only protein available, a rule of thumb is to provide 8 oz of pre-cooked meat per person. If it's the only food available, you should increase that number. If there are multiple protein options, you can usually cut that number in half.
For example, if you're serving pulled chicken sliders, you might want to provide 2 oz of meat per slider, with two sliders per person. So, for 30 people, you would need about 10 pounds of meat before cooking. If you're worried about running out, it's always better to make more than you think you'll need.
Another estimate suggests that 1/4 lb of cooked meat per person is a good rule of thumb. So, for 100 people, you would need 25 lbs of cooked chicken. However, this may depend on the type of event and what else is being served. If it's a casual mid-afternoon event with other side dishes, you might need less.
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Bun type and size
When it comes to serving pulled chicken, there are a few things to consider to ensure you have enough food for your guests. Firstly, it is recommended to plan for around 1/3-1/2 pound of meat per sandwich, depending on the size of the buns and the appetite of your guests. For example, if you are serving a group of people with larger appetites, you may want to allow for more meat per person. It is also a good idea to cook a little extra to account for any losses during the cooking process, as meat can shrink by about 20% when cooked.
In terms of bun type and size, there are a few options to consider. If you are serving pulled chicken as a sandwich, a popular choice is to use hamburger buns, which can be toasted for added texture and taste. These buns typically come in standard sizes, but you can also find mini or slider-style buns for smaller portions or larger, oversized buns for a heartier sandwich.
Another option is to use more specialty buns such as brioche buns, which have a rich, buttery taste and a soft texture. These buns often come in a variety of sizes, from small dinner rolls to larger sandwich-sized buns. If you want to add a bit of extra flavor to your dish, you could consider using flavored buns such as onion or sesame seed buns, which can enhance the taste of the chicken.
For a more casual gathering, you could consider using soft, plain or seeded rolls, which are typically smaller in size and good for guests who may prefer a lighter meal. On the other hand, if you want to create a more filling option, you could use larger, heartier rolls such as ciabatta or French bread, which have a chewier texture and can hold more meat.
Lastly, for those who want a more unique presentation, you could use pretzel buns, which have a chewy texture and a salty flavor that can complement the pulled chicken. These buns are often on the smaller side and work well for those who want a more flavorful and unusual bun option.
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Weight of cooked vs uncooked chicken
When cooking chicken, it's important to understand that raw and cooked meat differ in weight. This is because water and other juices in the meat evaporate during the cooking process. In general, cooked meat will lose about 20-25% of its weight once it's cooked. This means that 8 ounces of uncooked chicken will typically yield around 6 ounces of cooked chicken.
When preparing pulled chicken for sandwiches, it's recommended to plan for around 1/3 to 1/2 pound of meat per sandwich, depending on the size of the bun and the appetite of the person being served. For catering purposes, it's often suggested to provide 1/2 pound of cooked meat per person, taking into account that some people may only have one serving, while others may take more.
To ensure accurate portion sizes, it's best to weigh the chicken before cooking, as this eliminates any guesswork. However, if you only have access to the weight of the cooked chicken, you can estimate the raw weight by multiplying the cooked weight by a factor. For well-done meat, multiply the weight by 1.5, and for rare meat, multiply by 1.1. These factors will allow you to apply the nutrition facts from the package, which are typically based on raw meat weight.
Additionally, when cooking chicken, consider trimming excess fat and skin before cooking, as this can affect the final weight of the cooked meat. By taking these factors into account, you can more accurately determine the weight of cooked vs. uncooked chicken and make informed decisions about portion sizes and nutritional values.
When preparing pulled chicken, it's also important to consider the type of chicken parts used. Boneless and skinless chicken thighs and breasts are commonly used, with some preferring a higher ratio of dark meat for more flavor. The cooking method, such as smoking or grilling, can also impact the final weight of the cooked chicken. By taking these factors into account, you can ensure you have enough chicken for your desired number of servings.
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Trimming fat from chicken thighs
Chicken thighs are a flavorful and cost-effective option for cooks, but they can contain a lot of fat. The fat content of chicken thighs is a common concern for home cooks, and many choose to trim the fat before cooking. Trimming the fat can be a time-consuming process, but it is a necessary step if you want to serve lean chicken thighs.
The first step in trimming chicken thighs is to identify the flaps of fat that hang from the outer skin. These are the most obvious deposits of fat and can be easily cut away with a knife or scissors. Most of the large pieces of fat will come from these outer flaps. However, there is often still a lot of hidden fat on the underside of the chicken thigh. To remove this fat, you will need to lift the skin slightly and cut away any remaining strips of fat from around the edges. You may also need to skim your scissors across the surface of the chicken to remove any stubborn fat.
For the underside of the chicken thigh, look for any visible fat and trim it away with scissors. There may be deep pockets of fat on the underside, so it is important to do an exploratory "nose dive" with your scissors to ensure that all the fat is removed. Hold the fat on top with one hand and trim the fat from below with the other. This technique is the same for boneless and skinless chicken thighs, as the fat is still present on the underside of the meat.
It is worth noting that some cooks choose to leave some of the fat on the chicken thighs, especially when using longer cook times and high heat grilling, as this can render the fat and create crispy edges. However, if you are looking to create a leaner cut of meat, trimming the fat is essential.
Now, onto the question of how many buns you will need for 2 pounds of pulled chicken. It is generally recommended to allow for about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of pulled chicken per sandwich, depending on the size of the bun and the appetite of your guests. Therefore, 2 pounds of pulled chicken should be enough to fill 4-6 buns, assuming a generous serving size. However, if you are serving a large crowd, you may want to cater to about 1/2 pound of meat per person, which would mean that 2 pounds of pulled chicken would serve closer to 4 people.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need 8-9 buns for 2 pounds of pulled chicken. This calculation is based on 1/3 - 1/2 pound of pulled chicken per bun.
For catering, it is recommended to prepare 1/2 pound of cooked meat per person. This amount may vary depending on the group's appetite and whether there will be other food options. It is always better to prepare more than your original estimate to account for unpredictable factors.
2 pounds of pulled chicken will serve approximately 7-9 people. This estimation is based on the assumption that each person will consume 1/4 - 1/3 pound of pulled chicken.
