Chicken fingers are a classic appetizer and fun finger food that both kids and adults love Their crispy outside and tender, juicy interior make them hard to resist!
When cooking up a batch of chicken fingers for your family or a party, it’s helpful to know approximately how many you’ll get per pound This allows you to calculate the right amount to purchase and prepare
In this article, we’ll take a close look at estimating chicken finger portion sizes. Read on for a breakdown of how many tenders you can expect per pound based on their size, along with serving tips.
Determining the Number of Tenders Per Pound
The number of chicken fingers per pound can vary quite a bit based on the size of the tenders. Smaller, thinner tenders will have a higher number per pound, while larger, thicker pieces will have fewer fingers per pound.
Here is a general range of how many chicken finger strips you can expect from different sizes:
- Small tenders: Approximately 14 per pound
- Medium tenders: 10-12 per pound
- Large tenders: 8-10 per pound
- Jumbo tenders: 6-8 per pound
For example, if you purchased 2 pounds of medium sized chicken fingers, you’d end up with about 20-24 individual strips.
The breading and preparation method can also impact the number of tenders per pound slightly. Thickly breaded fingers may weigh a bit more than a lightly breaded version.
How Tender Size Impacts Counts
Why such a range in finger counts? Let’s look closer at how the size affects the tally:
- Small tenders are often around 1 inch wide and 3-4 inches long. They weigh approximately 1 ounce each.
- Medium fingers are about 1.5 inches wide and 4-5 inches long. They are roughly 1.1-1.5 ounces each.
- Large fingers measure 2 inches wide and 5-6 inches in length. They weigh in around 1.6-1.8 ounces each.
- Jumbo tenders are the biggest at over 2 inches wide and 6 inches long. They can be 2 ounces or more per tender.
With the small tenders, you easily get 14 or more per pound because of their petite size and weight. The jumbo fingers may only have 6-8 strips per pound because of their heftier proportions.
When purchasing chicken for fingers, opt for tenderloins or breast meat. These cuts naturally lend themselves to elongated oval shapes perfect for tenders.
Serving Size Guidelines
When determining how many pounds of chicken fingers you need to buy and prepare, consider:
- The number of people you are serving
- If the fingers are a starter, main dish, or snack
- If you are pairing the fingers with other foods
Here are some general serving recommendations:
- For an appetizer portion, allow 3-4 fingers per person.
- For a main meal, budget 5-7 tenders per person.
- For a snack, 2-3 fingers per guest is usually sufficient.
If serving tenders as an appetizer for 20 people, you’d need about 6-8 pounds to allow 3-4 each. For a main meal for 10, you’d want 5-7 pounds to give 5-7 each.
Provide dipping sauces on the side, allowing about 1⁄4-1⁄2 cup per 4-5 tenders. Ranch, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, and bleu cheese dressing all pair nicely.
Buying Chicken for Fingers
When purchasing chicken for fingers, you typically have to buy packages weighed in pounds rather than buying a specific number of individual tenders. This is where knowing the estimated tender-per-pound range comes in handy.
While less common, some restaurants and food service operations may sell chicken fingers counted out by the each rather than weighed. This allows you to purchase an exact quantity.
If buying tenders at a deli counter or from a package, check for the size on the label. Opt for “medium” or “large” tenders if you want the ideal finger shape and portion size. Avoid tenders labeled as “popcorn” or “nugget” style.
Freezing and Reheating Tenders
Making a big batch of homemade chicken fingers? Extend their shelf life by freezing breaded raw tenders or cooked fingers for later.
To freeze raw tenders:
- Bread tenderloins
- Place in a single layer on a baking sheet
- Freeze until hard, about 2 hours
- Transfer to an airtight freezer bag
For cooked fingers:
- Let cool completely after frying or baking
- Place in freezer bags in serving size portions
- Remove as much air as possible & seal
Thaw frozen fingers overnight in the fridge before reheating. Reheat baked fingers in a 400°F oven for 5-10 minutes until hot in the center. For fried fingers, reheat in a 375°F oven on a baking sheet until crispy again.
The Takeaway
When planning your next chicken finger feast, you can expect approximately 4-6 strips per pound for small tenders, 8-10 per pound for medium, 10-12 for large, and 14+ for extra small fingers.
Buy enough pounds of chicken to allow 3-7 portions per person depending on if they are a starter or main dish. Follow these simple tips for buying, prepping and serving crowd-pleasing chicken fingers!
How to Pan-Fry Chicken Tenders
- Cover the bottom of a large skillet with oil and set it over medium heat.
- Whisk the eggs and water together in a shallow bowl.
- Combine the flour and spices in a resealable bag or container.
- Working in batches, dip the chicken tenders in the egg, letting any excess drip off.
- Place the chicken strips in the spiced flour.
- Seal the bag and toss well to coat the chicken strips completely.
Why Our Testers Loved This
Given that my testers are calling this recipe “fool-proof”, “weeknight-friendly,” and “easy,” it’s no surprise that these “flavorful and crispy” chicken tenders were devoured by everyone who tried them.
- Chicken tenders–You may see these labeled as chicken fillets or chicken tenderloins at your supermarket. If you can’t get them, you can slice several boneless chicken breasts into 1-inch-thick slices.
- Oil—Since you’re frying, use a high-smoke-point oil, such as vegetable, sunflower, or safflower.
- Seasoning—This combination of paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder will give your chicken a mild, pleasantly spiced coating. If you prefer spicier tenders, use hot paprika or add a pinch of cayenne to the seasoning.
Why order chicken tenders at a restaurant #chickentenders
FAQ
How many chicken fingers are in a pound?
Approximately 5 chicken tenders weigh one pound.
How many pieces of chicken is 1 lb?
Perfectly seasoned and grilled chicken breast, or four chicken breasts. (This is 16 ounces of cooked weight, which is actually 20 ounces of raw weight!)
How much do 4 chicken strips weigh?
If you indulge in a serving of four chicken strips (about 150g), you will consume about 450 calories, accounting for approximately 27% of your daily caloric intake.
How many chicken fingers per person?
How many chicken fingers are in a serving?
Chicken Fingers (5 Pieces) Per 1 serving – Calories: 625kcal | Fat: 5.00g | Carbs: 105.00g | Protein: 45.00g Nutrition Facts – Similar Related searches for: Chicken fingers
How many chicken tenders are in a pound?
The statement “On average, there are about 8 to 12 chicken tenders in a pound, but the exact number can vary based on factors like size, thickness, and cut” breaks down as follows: On average: This implies that, in general, you can expect a certain range of chicken tenders per pound. It’s a typical or common scenario.
How much fat is in chicken fingers?
The total fat content in chicken fingers is 13.95 grams per serving, which includes both saturated and unsaturated fats. While fat is an essential part of a healthy diet, providing energy and supporting cell growth, it’s important to consume it in moderation and be mindful of the types of fat you’re eating.
How many chicken tenderloins are in a pound?
But when buying chicken tenderloins, it can be tricky to figure out exactly how many come in a pound. The number can vary depending on the size and thickness of the tenderloins. On average, there are between 8-12 chicken tenderloins in a pound. The exact number will depend on the size and thickness of the specific tenderloins.