Chicken Tacos For A Crowd: How Much To Buy?

Tacos are a great option for feeding a large group, and a taco bar is a fun and easy way to serve them. The amount of chicken you'll need depends on how many tacos each person will eat, how much chicken you'll use per taco, and whether you're serving other dishes. A good rule of thumb is to plan for 2-3 ounces of meat per taco, or about 1/2 pound of meat per person. For a group of 30, you'll need around 15 pounds of chicken. This estimate can vary depending on the number of sides and toppings you offer, as well as the appetites of your guests.

Chicken tacos for 30:

If you're planning to make chicken tacos for 30 people, you'll need to prepare and cook around 10 to 15 pounds of chicken, depending on the size of your group and the number of tacos you expect each person to eat. It's generally recommended to plan for two tacos per person, and you'll need about 5 ounces of chicken per taco. This means you'll likely need about 300 ounces or 18.75 pounds of chicken in total for 30 people.

When it comes to the type of chicken, boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs are good options. You can cook and shred the chicken ahead of time and store it in the freezer. For efficient shredding, cut each cooked chicken breast in half and use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed for 30 to 45 seconds.

In addition to the chicken, you'll need other ingredients for your tacos. This includes taco shells, tortillas, or rice as a base. For toppings, you can offer lettuce, onions, tomatoes, beans, bell peppers, cheese, and other options. Don't forget dips and sauces like sour cream, guacamole, taco sauce, and pico de gallo.

To calculate the quantities of these ingredients, consider that each person may use about 1.3 ounces of lettuce, 2 ounces of cheese, and similar amounts of other toppings. You can also estimate that you'll need two taco shells and one soft tortilla per person. Adjust the quantities based on your group's preferences and the availability of other dishes or sides.

Remember, it's better to have leftovers than to run out, so you can always increase the amounts to be safe. Tacos are a great choice for feeding a large group, and with some planning, your chicken taco feast for 30 will surely be a success!

Chicken filling:

For 30 people, you will need about 15 pounds of chicken. This is based on the general rule of thumb that you need about half a pound of meat per person for tacos. If you want to be precise, you can calculate the amount of chicken needed based on the number of tacos you plan to make. Assuming that each person will eat about 2 tacos, you will need a total of 60 tacos. If each taco contains 2-3 ounces of chicken, you will need a total of 120-180 ounces or 7.5-11.25 pounds of chicken.

If you are using boneless chicken, one pound of meat will yield about 6 tacos. This means that you will need about 5 pounds of boneless chicken to make 30 tacos.

You can cook and shred the chicken ahead of time and store it in the freezer. To shred the chicken, you can use a stand mixer by cutting each cooked chicken breast in half, placing it in the mixer bowl, and using the paddle attachment on medium speed for 30-45 seconds.

When preparing the chicken, you can poach chicken thighs in chicken stock with limes, cilantro stems, and black peppercorns. Then, shred the chicken and toss it with seasoning.

It is important to note that the amount of chicken needed may vary depending on the sides and toppings you plan to serve. If you are serving multiple sides and toppings, you may need less chicken. On the other hand, if you are only serving tacos, you may need to increase the portions.

Chicken prep:

First, decide on the type of chicken you want to use. Chicken breasts, thighs, or a mixture of both are all suitable for tacos. Boneless and skinless chicken breasts are easy to work with and a good option if you want to save time on preparation.

As a rule of thumb, you'll need around 5.5 oz (156 g) of chicken per person, which equates to about 1/2 lb per person. So, for 30 people, you'll require roughly 15 lbs of chicken. If you want to be generous and ensure plenty of leftovers, you could increase this to 18 lbs or even 20 lbs.

If you're using chicken breasts, you can cook and shred them in advance and freeze them. They can be thawed in the fridge during the day before you need them. To shred the chicken, cut each cooked breast in half, put them in a stand mixer, and use the paddle attachment on medium speed for 30-45 seconds.

On the day, poach the chicken in chicken stock with a couple of limes, cilantro stems, and black peppercorns. Then, shred the chicken and toss it with your chosen seasoning. You'll need around 2-3 tablespoons of taco seasoning for each pound of chicken. You can make your own seasoning or buy a store-bought packet. If you opt for the latter, be aware that store-bought seasonings can be high in sodium and leave a grainy texture.

Taco bar:

A taco bar is a fun and interactive way to feed a large group of people. It is also a good option if you are short on time as it requires minimal preparation and cooking. The amount of chicken you will need depends on how many tacos you expect each person to eat, and how much chicken you expect to put in each taco.

A general rule is to allow 1/2 lb of meat per person. However, this will depend on the type of meat and the number of sides you are serving. If you are serving multiple meats, you will need less of each. For example, if you are serving chicken, beef, and pork, you will need less of each than if you were just serving chicken.

Chicken tacos are a great option for a taco bar because they are easy to prepare and can be made in large quantities. To serve 30 people, you will need 15 lbs of chicken. This will allow for a generous serving of chicken per person. If you are serving other meats as well, you may need less chicken. For example, if you are serving chicken and beef, you will need 7.5 lbs of each to serve 30 people.

When preparing the chicken, it is a good idea to cook and shred the chicken in advance. This will save you time on the day of your event. You can also freeze cooked and shredded chicken for up to 6 months. To thaw, place it in the fridge a couple of days before your event and heat it up in the microwave or crockpot before serving.

In addition to the chicken, you will need tortillas, taco shells, or rice as a base for the tacos. You can also offer a variety of toppings, such as cheese, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, beans, and salsa. Don't forget to provide some mild and medium heat sauces, as well as hot sauce for those who like it spicy!

Other ingredients:

Tacos are a great choice for feeding a large group, and they're easy to prepare. You can set up all the ingredients and let your guests assemble their own tacos. Here are some ideas for other ingredients to serve alongside chicken:

Bases

• Taco shells
• Soft tortillas
• Rice

Vegetables

• Lettuce
• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Beans (refried beans, black beans)
• Olives
• Bell peppers
• Mixed peppers
• Corn
• Zucchini

Cheese

• Shredded cheddar
• Monterey
• Shredded cheese

Sauces and dips

• Sour cream
• Guacamole
• Taco sauce
• Pico de gallo
• Salsa
• Hot sauce

Seasoning

Taco seasoning

You can also offer a variety of sides and appetizers, such as chips, dips, and desserts. If you're serving a large group, it's a good idea to provide a vegan option, such as tofu, beans, potatoes, or jackfruit.

Remember that the amount of each ingredient you'll need will depend on how many tacos each person eats, and how much they fill their tacos. It's always better to have leftovers than to run out, so consider increasing the amounts to give yourself a margin of error.

Frequently asked questions