Chicken Portions: How Much To Serve At A Party

Planning a party can be stressful, especially when it comes to figuring out how much food to prepare or order. If you're serving chicken to a group of 60 people, the amount you'll need depends on several factors, such as whether the chicken is the main dish or part of a larger meal, the number of side dishes, and the age range of your guests. Let's explore the considerations to help you determine the right amount of chicken for your party.

Chicken as the main dish

Chicken is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways and is a great option for feeding a large group of people. If you're planning a party for 60 people and want to serve chicken as the main dish, here are some things to consider:

Type of Chicken

The type of chicken you choose can impact the quantity needed. If you're serving a whole roast chicken, people will typically eat either a quarter or half of a chicken per person, depending on how many other dishes are being served. If it's the only main dish, plan for each person to eat half a chicken. If you're serving other items, a quarter of a chicken per person should be sufficient. For 60 people, this would translate to 12 to 24 whole chickens.

However, if you're serving chicken pieces rather than a whole roast, the calculation changes. As a general rule, plan for 4 to 6 ounces of chicken per adult when chicken is the main dish. This equates to roughly two pieces of chicken per person. For a group of 60 people, you would need around 120 pieces of chicken.

Other Factors to Consider

The age of your guests is another factor to keep in mind. Children typically eat smaller portions, so you may want to adjust your calculations accordingly. If there will be a significant number of children at your party, consider reducing the amount of chicken per person to 1 piece or even less, especially if you're serving other dishes as well.

Additionally, take into account the sides and other dishes you'll be serving. If there are plenty of sides and perhaps another main course option, you may lean towards the lower end of the range for the amount of chicken per person. On the other hand, if chicken is the star of the show, aim for the higher end or even consider providing extra pieces for those with heartier appetites.

Example Calculations

Let's say you're serving chicken as the main dish for a group of 60 people, including both adults and children. Here are two scenarios to help you estimate the amount of chicken needed:

Scenario 1: You decide to serve chicken pieces as the main dish, with a variety of sides and another main course option. In this case, you can estimate that each adult will eat around 4 ounces of chicken, or about 1 piece. For 45 adults, you would need approximately 45 pieces of chicken. If there are 15 children, they may consume less than a full piece each, so you could add another 10 pieces for a total of 55 pieces of chicken.

Scenario 2: You're serving a whole roast chicken as the main attraction, with a few sides but no other main course options. Each guest will likely eat a quarter of a chicken, so for 60 people, you would need 24 whole chickens. If there are more children than adults, you may need slightly less, but this calculation provides a good starting point.

Remember, these estimates can be adjusted based on your specific guest list and the types of food you plan to serve. It's always better to have a little extra than to run out, and leftovers can always be enjoyed later!

Chicken as part of a meal

If you're planning a party for 60 people, with chicken as part of a wider meal, you'll need to calculate how much chicken to buy. The amount of chicken you'll need will depend on the type of chicken you're serving, the number of side dishes, and the number of children attending.

If chicken is one of the main dishes, you'll need to provide between 4 and 6 ounces per person. If it's part of a stew or pasta dish, 3 to 4 ounces per person is plenty. For a group of 60, with a mix of adults and children, you could estimate that 30-40 people will require a full portion, with children and smaller eaters requiring half portions. This equates to around 120 to 160 ounces, or 7.5 to 10 pounds of chicken. This would be enough for two pieces of chicken per person, or one piece for each guest with plenty of other food.

If you're serving bone-in, split chicken breasts, these are larger and great for feeding a crowd. They provide around 8 ounces per adult and 6 ounces per child, including bone weight. You could also butterfly large chicken breasts to create two equally sized portions from one breast.

For a party of 60, it's a good idea to have a range of options, especially if there will be children present. You could consider serving chicken drumsticks, which are easy for little hands to pick up.

Chicken for kids

When planning a party, it's always a challenge to decide how much food to prepare or order. If you're serving chicken at a party of 60, where 18 are small kids, you'll need to take that into account when estimating the amount of chicken needed. A general rule of thumb is to plan for 4 to 6 ounces of chicken per person if it's the main dish, and 3 to 4 ounces if it's part of a larger meal with other proteins.

Now, let's talk about chicken for kids specifically. When serving chicken to children, it's important to consider the size of the portions. A good guideline is to serve 4 ounces of boneless, skinless chicken breast to a child. If you're serving bone-in split chicken breasts, which are larger and include the underside of the breast and part of the rib meat, aim for 6 ounces per child.

Some kid-friendly chicken recipes include chicken fingers or tenders, which can be baked or fried and served with dips or sauces. Chicken strips coated in potato chips and served with honey mustard are another fun option. For a healthier choice, try oven-baked chicken schnitzel, which can be served with applesauce for dipping. Sweet and sour chicken thighs are also a popular choice among kids and can be made in large batches.

If you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, 15-minute honey garlic chicken is a great option that both kids and adults will enjoy. This recipe uses simple ingredients and creates a delicious sauce with honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes. It can be served with rice and vegetables to create a well-rounded meal.

In summary, when planning a party with chicken as the main dish for a group that includes children, consider serving sizes and adjust your estimates accordingly. For kid-friendly chicken options, focus on tender, crispy, and saucy preparations that are easy for kids to eat and appeal to their taste preferences.

Chicken for adults

When planning a party, it's essential to ensure there is enough food for all your guests. The amount of chicken you will need for a party of 60 depends on several factors, such as whether the guests are mostly adults or children, whether chicken is the main dish or part of a larger meal, and whether you are serving bone-in or boneless chicken.

If chicken is the main dish, a good rule of thumb is to plan for each guest to eat between a quarter and a half of a chicken. For a group of 60 adults, this equates to between 15 and 30 whole chickens. However, if you are serving other main dishes, you may only need to provide a quarter of a chicken per person, which would be between 10 and 15 whole chickens.

It's important to note that these estimates are for a whole chicken per person, and the number of pieces will vary depending on how the chicken is cut. If you are serving bone-in pieces, such as drumsticks or thighs, plan for two pieces per person. This means you would need between 120 and 180 pieces of chicken for 60 adults. On the other hand, if you are serving boneless chicken breasts, each person would need between 4 and 6 ounces, or about one breast. In this case, you would need between 10 and 15 chickens to provide enough meat for 60 adults.

When budgeting for a party, it's always better to overestimate the amount of food needed rather than underestimate. Leftovers can always be enjoyed the next day or given to guests to take home. Additionally, if you are serving a mix of adults and children, you may need less chicken, as children typically eat smaller portions.

Chicken leftovers

When catering for a party of 60, it is recommended to serve around 30 to 50 chicken drumsticks, 30 chicken thighs, and 30 skinless chicken breasts. This equates to around 1/3 to 1/2 pound of chicken per guest.

If you do end up with chicken leftovers, there are plenty of ways to use them up. Chicken is a versatile meat that suits many cuisines and seasonings, and it is a lean protein that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Here are some ideas for using up leftover chicken:

Soups and Stews

Chicken noodle soup is a classic, comforting dish that can be made with just six ingredients and water. You can also make a chicken tortilla soup with tomatoes, peppers, crispy tortillas, avocado, cheese, cilantro, and lime. This freezes well without the toppings. Chicken stroganoff is another option, which can be served over egg noodles.

Salads

Chicken Caesar salad is a popular choice, but you can also make a dinner salad with a variety of toppings, such as romaine, arugula, tomato, and pistachios.

Sandwiches and Wraps

Chicken is a natural fit for sandwiches and wraps. You can make BBQ chicken sandwiches or chicken Caesar wraps. Chicken salad sandwiches are also a great option, and you can add your own twist with different seasonings and toppings.

Casseroles and Bakes

Chicken noodle casserole is a comforting dish that can be assembled and refrigerated for up to three days before serving. Chicken Alfredo is another creamy, rich option that can be served over pasta.

Enchiladas and Croquettes

Chicken enchiladas can be made with tortillas, stuffed with leftover chicken, cream cheese, and spices, and topped with enchilada sauce. Chicken croquettes are another option, made with a mixture of cooked chicken, eggs, breadcrumbs, sautéed onion, parsley, and light seasoning.

With a little creativity, chicken leftovers can be transformed into exciting new meals, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.

Frequently asked questions