Planning a dinner party picnic or other event for 50 people? Chicken breast is often a crowd-pleasing protein option. But how much should you make to ensure everyone gets enough to eat? This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly how many pounds of chicken breast you need to feed a group of 50.
Calculating Your Chicken Breast Needs
When cooking for large groups it’s essential to have an accurate understanding of portion sizes and food amounts. A common rule of thumb is to plan for 1⁄2 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast per person when chicken is the main dish. For a group of 50 that would mean purchasing approximately 25 pounds of raw chicken breast. However, if the chicken is part of a buffet or mixed with other proteins, you may be able to get away with less.
Here are some estimates to give you a starting point:
- 25-30 pounds for chicken as the main entree
- 20-25 pounds when served alongside other main dishes
- 15-20 pounds if chicken is a side dish or part of an appetizer spread
To nail down the specifics, consult the handy food estimate charts below:
Food Estimate Chart for 25 People
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<table>
<tr>
<th>Food</th>
<th>Pounds</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chicken or Turkey Breast</td>
<td>8-9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fish Fillets or Steaks</td>
<td>7.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hamburgers</td>
<td>6.5-9.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ham or Roast Beef</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
</table>
Food Estimate Chart for 50 People
<table>
<tr>
<th>Food</th>
<th>Pounds</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chicken or Turkey Breast</td>
<td>16-18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fish Fillets or Steaks</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hamburgers</td>
<td>13-15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ham or Roast Beef</td>
<td>20</td>
</tr>
</table>
As you can see, the general recommendation is 16-18 pounds of chicken or turkey breast to feed a group of 50. For simplicity, aiming for 25 pounds should provide more than enough.
How Many Pieces of Chicken for 50?
If using bone-in chicken pieces rather than boneless breasts, the calculations change slightly. Here’s a rough estimate of how many pieces you need:
- Whole chickens: 25-30 chickens
- Chicken thighs: 100-150 pieces
- Drumsticks: 100-150 pieces
- Wings: 200-300 pieces
- Breasts (bone-in): 50-75 pieces
For a party buffet serving 50 guests, plan for about 150 total fried chicken pieces, or 3 pieces per person.
Handy Per Person Estimates
For quick reference, keep these per person estimates handy:
- 1⁄2 pound boneless chicken breast
- 1⁄4 pound bone-in chicken
- 4 ounces boneless chicken
- 1-2 chicken pieces
- 2 chicken wings
- 3-5 chicken nuggets
So for a group of 50, purchase 25-30 pounds of boneless breasts or 50-75 pounds of bone-in chicken. Remember that dark meat pieces like thighs and drumsticks usually run smaller than white meat.
Going Beyond Just Chicken
While chicken is a natural choice for feeding crowds, don’t be afraid to branch out with other proteins and side dishes. Here are some examples of food amounts for a party of 50:
- 15-20 pounds of pulled pork or brisket
- 25-30 burgers or brats
- 15 pounds of steak or beef tenderloin
- 30 pounds of potatoes, pasta, or rice sides
- 20 pounds of salad or vegetables
Providing a variety of meats, sides, appetizers, and desserts will ensure your guests don’t get bored, even if you’re serving an especially large group.
Plan Ahead for Success
Satisfying the appetites of 50 people or more is no small feat. Allow plenty of time for shopping, prepping, and cooking. Make sure you have large platters, pans, and serving utensils on hand. Resist the urge to completely cook everything in advance; for best results, par-cook chicken and finish it right before serving.
With smart planning, generous portions, and crowd-pleasing recipes, you can pull off a fantastic feast for 50. Just follow the guidelines above to determine how many pounds of chicken breast you need. Before you know it, your guests will be raving about the delicious food. Happy party planning!
Chart of Food Estimates: How Much Food Do You Need?
Are you cooking for a crowd? If you’re planning a big meal (like a summer barbeque or Thanksgiving feast), this handy chart can help determine the amount of meat, sides, desserts, and condiments you should buy. From holidays to family reunions to potlucks and picnics, have enough food for everyone!
These cooking estimates are based on “average” servings; adjust quantities upward for extra-big eaters and downward if children are included.
How To Figure How Much Protein Is In Your Chicken Breast
FAQ
How many chicken breasts will feed 50 people?
| FOOD | SERVE 25 | SERVE 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Meats | ||
| Chicken or turkey breast | 8–9 pounds | 16–18 pounds |
| Fish (fillets or steaks) | 7-1/2 pounds | 15 pounds |
| Hamburgers | 6-1/2–9-1/2 pounds | 13–15 pounds |
How many pounds of chicken should I buy for 50 guests?
Large gathering (30-50 people): 15-25 pounds of bone-in chicken or 10-12 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
How many pounds of meat is enough for 50 people?
As a general rule of thumb, plan for the following portion sizes: For buffet-style events: Estimate about 1/2 to 3/4 pound of meat per person. For plated dinners: Plan for approximately 6 to 8 ounces of meat per person. Consider offering a variety of meats to cater to different preferences and dietary restrictions.Mar 25, 2024
How much feed do 50 chickens need?
However, there is a simple figure to provide you with a solid starting point: 1/4 of a pound per fully grown chicken per day. This means each chicken will eat approximately 1.5 pounds of feed in a week. This amount will vary based on the age and size of your birds.
How many pounds of chicken feed 50 people?
Purchase 8 ounces of bone-in poultry per person (25 pounds), and 5 to 6 ounces of boneless chicken per person (15.65 to 18.75 pounds), to provide 4 to 5 ounces of cooked meat for each serving. These guidelines allow for bone-in and shrinkage losses when calculating cooked chicken needs.
How many chicken breasts do I need for 50 people?
To serve 50 people, you will need to double the ingredients for 100. Each person will receive 2 pieces of chicken. If desired, pound 100 chicken breasts to an even thickness for even cooking and easier serving. Combine flour, salt, pepper, and cheese in a large bowl.
How much chicken do I need for 60 people?
Purchasing 20 pounds of chicken wings is a good idea if you’re hosting a big party or want leftovers. It would take 240 chicken wings to feed 60 people (four wings per person). How much chicken do I need for 50 people? How many pieces of chicken do I need for 40 people? How many pounds of shredded chicken do I need for 50 people?
How much chicken should a person eat per person?
Below is a breakdown of the recommended chicken serving sizes per person: For boneless, skinless chicken breasts, I recommend to serve ½ to 1 breast per person. A single breast usually weighs approximately 6 ounces, so a ½ breast would be 3 ounces, good for a child, with a full chicken breast around 6 ounces, good for most adults.
How many ounces of chicken should a pound of chicken serve?
When you are making a recipe where the meat is about ½ of the total ingredients, it is best to use ⅙ of a pound per person. This is when about 2-3 ounces of chicken per person should be used. An easy way to think of this also is that one pound of chicken in a pasta dish, such as my Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Spaghetti, serves 6 people.
How much chicken should a small gathering eat?
Small gathering (10-15 people): 5-7 pounds of bone-in chicken or 3-4 pounds of boneless, skinless breasts. Medium gathering (20-30 people): 10-15 pounds of bone-in chicken or 6-8 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Large gathering (30-50 people): 15-25 pounds of bone-in chicken or 10-12 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts.