Pulled chicken is a versatile, crowd-pleasing protein that works great for feeding groups both large and small. But determining the right amount per person can be tricky. You want to make sure you cook enough so everyone gets a satisfying portion, without going overboard and wasting food or money.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to accurately calculate portions when cooking pulled chicken.
The Basics: 1/3 Pound Per Person
As a general rule of thumb, plan for approximately 1/3 pound (or around 5 ounces) of cooked, pulled chicken meat per person. This allows for a hearty serving while factoring in sides and other menu items.
So for example, if you’re feeding 10 people, you’d want around 3 1/3 pounds of finished pulled chicken
This 1/3 pound per person guideline works well in most scenarios where pulled chicken is the main dish—like sandwiches, tacos, salads, or plates with sides
Converting Raw Chicken to Pulled Chicken
Now that we know the target serving size, how much raw chicken do we need to buy to yield that amount after cooking and pulling?
Raw chicken reduces in size during cooking due to moisture loss. A good estimate is around a 25-30% reduction in weight.
So if you need 5 ounces of pulled chicken per person, you’ll want to start with about 7-8 ounces of raw chicken per person, bone-in and skin-on.
For boneless skinless breasts, plan for 6-7 ounces raw per person since there’s less moisture to cook off.
Key Factors That Impact Portions
Several factors can affect how much pulled chicken each person will want to eat. Consider the following when calculating quantities:
-
Appetite levels: Kids and seniors often eat smaller portions than active adults.
-
Side dishes: Hearty sides like mac and cheese may mean smaller chicken portions.
-
Menu format: Buffets allow smaller portions than plated dinners.
-
Time of day: People eat more at dinner than lunch.
-
Special diets: Vegetarians/vegans won’t eat chicken.
-
Leftovers: Don’t want to waste extras? Pulled chicken keeps or freezes well.
Serving Situation Guidelines
Here are some portion recommendations for different serving scenarios:
- Sandwiches: 1/3 pound (5 ounces) per person
- Sliders: 1/4 pound (4 ounces) per person
- Buffet: 1/4 pound (4 ounces) per person
- With heavy sides: Reduce to 1/4 pound (4 ounces) per person
- Appetizer-sized portions: 2 ounces per person
Adjust up or down based on your specific menu and guests.
Answers to FAQs About Pulled Chicken Portions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about calculating portions of pulled chicken:
How much raw chicken per person for 1/3 pound pulled chicken?
- 7-8 ounces raw bone-in chicken per person
- 6-7 ounces raw boneless chicken per person
Does chicken thigh vs. breast change the yield?
Yes. Chicken thighs yield more edible meat than breasts.
How much for sandwiches?
1/3 pound (5 ounces) finished pulled chicken per sandwich.
How much for sliders?
1/4 pound (4 ounces) finished pulled chicken per person.
How to calculate for buffet service?
Plan for 1/4 pound (4 ounces) finished pulled chicken per person.
Can I freeze extra pulled chicken?
Yes. Portion into freezer bags and freeze up to 2-3 months. Thaw in fridge before using.
Key Takeaways
- General rule of thumb: 1/3 pound pulled chicken per person
- Buy 7-8 ounces raw bone-in chicken per person to yield 5 ounces pulled chicken
- Adjust portions based on menu, format, appetite and other factors
- Leftovers keep refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen 2-3 months
Properly portioning pulled chicken may take some calculating, but it helps minimize waste while keeping your guests satisfied. With these tips, you can confidently plan your next pulled chicken meal for a crowd! Let us know if you have any other pulled chicken portioning questions.
Easy BBQ Pulled Chicken
I love a good pulled meat sandwich! This chicken breast version is super simple, super flavorful and is a great dinner option for a large gathering or party.
These Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken sandwiches are great on their own, but they taste especially delicious on a bun topped with coleslaw (if you haven’t tried it – you must)!
It’s a weeknight win that delivers juicy shredded meat infused with a smoky-sweet flavor that comes from BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil and garlic powder.
Pulled Chicken is one of those fabulous set it and forget it slow cooker meals that take little prep and are great for busy days.
How to Make Pulled Chicken
COMBINE. Add barbecue sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil and garlic powder to your slow cooker and mix until combined.
COAT. Add chicken breast to the slow cooker making sure to coat all sides of the chicken with the sauce.
COOK. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 7-8 hours.
SHRED. Shred chicken and serve warm. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Use two forks to shred, or place chicken in your stand mixer with a paddle attachment and turn on LOW speed until shredded. You can also use a hand mixer.
Here are some of our favorite sides to make with pulled chicken.
How much to make? Plan for ¼ pound of chicken per person. One pound of chicken will yield about 2 cups of pulled chicken.
When you’re making it for a large group, don’t worry if you over estimate so you don’t run out of food. You can always freeze any leftover pulled chicken to be used later.
Chicken. I used boneless skinless chicken breast for this recipe, but you can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Do not overcook. The crock pot is a great way to start and then forget about dinner. However, you can overcook food in a crockpot. Overcooked chicken can become dry and tough. To keep this recipe moist and tender cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Crock pot liner. For easy clean up use a crockpot liner.
Toast the Buns. Spread a bit of butter on the inside of the buns, sprinkle with some garlic salt and broil on High heat for 2-3 minutes or until lightly golden.
Serve on. Shredded chicken is most often served on a hamburger bun, but you can also use: Slider buns, in a tortilla, with pita, with corn chips or even over rice!
Spruce it up! Whether you’re looking to get a little extra heat or just a twist of flavor you can easily do so. Try adding:
- worcestershire sauce
- hot sauce
- red pepper flakes
- paprika
- taco seasoning
- chili powder
- Adding veggies is another easy way to add flavor and texture. Try diced onion, chopped celery, jalapenos or bell peppers
