Chicken For A Crowd: How Many Birds To Buy?

When cooking chicken for a group of 10 people, the amount of chicken you need depends on several factors, including the type of chicken, the number of side dishes, and the appetites of your guests. As a general guideline, if chicken is the main dish, plan for around 4 to 6 ounces of boneless chicken per person, or 10 ounces for bone-in chicken. This translates to roughly two chicken thighs or one chicken breast per adult. If serving chicken as part of a pasta dish or stew, 3 to 4 ounces per person is usually sufficient. It's always a good idea to prepare a little extra, especially when feeding hungry guests, to ensure there's enough food and perhaps some leftovers.

Chicken as the main dish: 4-6 oz per person

When planning a meal involving chicken, it's important to consider the cut of chicken and the occasion you're cooking for. If chicken is the main dish, you'll need to provide more of it than if you're serving other items. A good rule of thumb is to provide 4-6 oz of chicken per person. This is in line with the USDA My Plate program, which recommends a daily intake of 5.5-6 oz of lean cooked poultry for adults and teens.

When it comes to different cuts of chicken, the weight of the meat will vary. For example, 10 oz of uncooked boneless chicken breasts will yield approximately 6.5 oz of cooked meat, while 10 oz of uncooked boneless chicken thighs will yield about 5 oz of cooked meat. So, if you're serving chicken breasts as the main dish, you'll need more total weight than if you're serving chicken thighs.

If you're serving a whole chicken, a good rule of thumb is that one whole chicken will feed four people. So, for 10 people, you would need about two and a half chickens. However, this may vary depending on the size of the chicken and the appetite of your guests. If you're serving chicken wings as the main dish, plan on providing 4-6 whole wings (8-12 pieces) per person.

It's always a good idea to err on the side of having more chicken than less, especially if you're unsure of your guests' eating habits or want to ensure you have leftovers. You can also consider the sides you'll be serving—if you're providing a variety of vegetables and side dishes, you may need less chicken.

Chicken as part of a meal: 3-4 oz per person

When serving chicken as part of a meal, the recommended portion size per person is 3 to 4 ounces. This guideline comes from the American Heart Association, which suggests that a serving size of meat or poultry for adults is equivalent to 3 to 4 ounces, or about the size of a computer mouse or a deck of cards.

If you are serving chicken to 10 people as part of a meal, you will need between 30 and 40 ounces of cooked chicken in total. This calculation is based on the recommended portion size of 3 to 4 ounces per person. It's important to consider that the actual amount of chicken needed may vary depending on the appetite of your guests and their preference for meat. Some people may be heavier meat-eaters than others, so it's generally advisable to err on the side of having more chicken.

When planning your meal, it's worth noting that the type of chicken cut can impact the total amount needed. For example, chicken breasts can vary in size, ranging from 4 to 6 ounces for boneless, skinless breasts, while some pieces can even weigh up to 10 ounces. Chicken thighs, on the other hand, typically yield about 3 ounces of meat per thigh, so for big meat eaters, you may want to consider providing two thighs per person. Additionally, if you're serving smaller children or those with smaller appetites, one chicken thigh or 2 to 3 ounces of chicken may be sufficient.

To ensure you have enough chicken for 10 people as part of a meal, it's recommended to prepare around 30 to 36 ounces of chicken, which equates to 3 to 4 ounces per person. This range takes into account the varying appetites and preferences of your guests. By providing a slightly larger range, you can accommodate those who prefer a larger portion or those who are heavier meat-eaters. This approach ensures that you have enough food for everyone and avoids the risk of running out. It's always better to have a little extra than to fall short, and leftovers can always be creatively incorporated into subsequent meals.

Chicken wings: 6 per adult, 3 per child

If you're serving chicken wings to 10 people, it's important to consider the age of your guests, as an adult will likely eat more than a child. As a guide, you can estimate that each adult will eat around six chicken wings, while each child will eat approximately three. This means that for 10 people, you will need around 50–60 wings, depending on the age distribution of your guests.

It's worth noting that this estimate assumes that the wings are being served as a main course. If you're serving them as part of a larger meal or offering other protein options, each person might eat fewer wings. On the other hand, if your guests are particularly fond of chicken wings or if there won't be many other food options available, you might want to increase the number of wings per person.

The size of the wings is also a factor to consider. Larger wings will yield more meat per wing, so you may need fewer of them. Conversely, smaller wings will have less meat, so you may need to purchase more to ensure your guests have enough to eat.

In addition to the above, it's worth keeping in mind that people's appetites can vary, and some guests may eat more or less than the average. To accommodate this, it's generally a good idea to have a buffer and purchase slightly more food than you think you'll need. This will ensure that you don't run out of food and that all your guests leave satisfied.

Finally, when planning how many chicken wings to serve, don't forget to consider your own preferences and cooking constraints. If you want to enjoy leftovers or have limited time or budget for cooking, you may want to adjust the number of wings you prepare accordingly.

Chicken thighs: 2 per adult, 1 per child

When planning a meal involving chicken thighs, it is generally recommended to allocate two chicken thighs per adult and one chicken thigh per child. This ensures that each guest receives an adequate portion size and helps to avoid running out of food, which is considered the "worst thing a host can do".

When cooking chicken for a group of 10 people, it is important to consider the age range and appetite of the guests. For example, a group of 10 hungry young adults may require a larger quantity of chicken than a group of 10 adults and children. In general, it is advisable to slightly overestimate the amount of food required to ensure that there are ample leftovers, which can be repurposed into another meal, such as soup.

Assuming a mix of adults and children among the 10 people, you would need approximately 15 to 20 chicken thighs. This calculation is based on the assumption that there will be an equal number of adults and children, with each adult consuming two chicken thighs and each child consuming one.

It is worth noting that the number of chicken thighs required may vary depending on the sides served and the appetite of the guests. If other substantial dishes are served alongside the chicken, such as salad, soup, vegetables, or starches, then one chicken thigh per person may be sufficient. However, if the chicken is the main focus of the meal, providing two chicken thighs per person is more appropriate. Additionally, if you anticipate that your guests will have larger appetites, you may want to increase the portion size or provide extra chicken thighs to ensure everyone is satisfied.

Chicken legs/drumsticks: 2 per person

Chicken drumsticks are a great choice for a meal, whether you're cooking for yourself or a larger group. When planning a meal, it's important to consider how much food you'll need to ensure your guests leave satisfied, especially if you're unsure of their eating habits.

If you're serving chicken drumsticks, a good rule of thumb is to plan for two drumsticks per person. This will provide each guest with approximately 3 to 4 ounces of meat, which aligns with the American Heart Association's recommended serving size of meat or poultry for adults. This serving size can also vary depending on the number of side dishes you plan to offer. If you're serving a variety of vegetables and side dishes, you may be able to get away with providing less protein.

For a group of 10 people, you'll want to prepare around 20 chicken drumsticks. This will ensure that your guests have enough to eat and may even leave some leftovers, which can be great for sandwiches, snacks, or future meals. It's always better to have a little extra than to run out, so consider your guests' appetites when planning.

Preparing chicken drumsticks for a group can be a fun and delicious experience. Before cooking, you can season the drumsticks with vegetable oil and your choice of spices. For a BBQ flavour, try coating the drumsticks in BBQ rub and grilling them until the sauce is sticky. Don't forget to check the internal temperature to ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly. By following these simple steps, you'll be well on your way to a successful and tasty meal for 10 people.

Frequently asked questions