When you’re planning a dinner party or event for 20 adults, figuring out how much chicken to buy can be a real headache Too little and your guests go hungry (nightmare!). Too much and you’re eating chicken sandwiches for the next week (not the worst problem, but still).
I’ve hosted enough gatherings to know that getting the portions right is crucial for a successful meal. Today, I’m sharing my tried-and-tested guidelines to help you calculate exactly how much chicken you’ll need for your 20 adult guests.
The Short Answer: How Much Chicken for 20 Adults?
For 20 adults you’ll generally need
- 10-12 pounds of boneless chicken (breasts or thighs)
- Approximately 5 whole chickens if serving quartered pieces
- 20-30 pieces of legs/thighs if serving bone-in parts
- 40-60 wings if serving chicken wings
This assumes each adult will eat about 6-8 ounces of boneless chicken or 1/4 of a whole chicken. But there’s more to consider…
Factors That Affect How Much Chicken You Need
The actual amount of chicken required isn’t a one-size-fits-all calculation. Here’s what can impact your chicken quantities:
1. Type of Event
A formal sit-down dinner typically requires smaller portions compared to a casual backyard BBQ where people tend to eat more.
2. Time of Day
Dinner portions are usually larger than lunch portions. If you’re hosting a midday event, you might need less chicken per person.
3. Other Foods Being Served
If chicken is just one of many protein options or part of a buffet with lots of other dishes, you can reduce the quantity to around 6 ounces per person instead of 8.
4. Chicken Cut and Preparation Method
Different cuts of chicken have different serving sizes:
| Chicken Type | Amount Per Person | Total for 20 People |
|---|---|---|
| Boneless breasts | 6-8 oz | 10-12 pounds |
| Bone-in chicken | 1/4 chicken (2-3 pieces) | 5 whole chickens |
| Fried chicken | 3-4 pieces | 60-80 pieces |
| Chicken wings | 2-3 wings | 40-60 wings |
| BBQ chicken | 1/3-1/2 pound | 7-10 pounds |
5. Guest Demographics
Let’s be honest – different people eat different amounts. Men often eat more than women, younger adults may eat more than elderly guests, and some people are just bigger eaters than others.
Specific Guidelines by Chicken Type
Boneless Chicken Breasts or Thighs
For boneless, skinless chicken, plan for:
- 6-8 ounces per adult (half that for children)
- For 20 adults: 10-12 pounds total
Pro tip: Large chicken breasts can weigh up to 10 ounces each! If you’re serving whole breasts, consider butterflying them to create two equal portions from one large piece.
Bone-In Chicken
For bone-in chicken parts:
- 1/4 chicken per person (about 2-3 pieces)
- For 20 adults: 5 whole chickens, cut into quarters
- Or approximately 20-30 pieces of legs/thighs
Remember that bone-in chicken includes the weight of the bones. For bone-in split breasts, plan for about 8 ounces per adult (which includes bone weight).
Fried Chicken
People tend to eat more fried chicken (because it’s delicious!), so allow for:
- 3-4 drumsticks per person OR
- 4-5 wings per person OR
- 2-3 thighs or breasts per person
For 20 guests, that’s approximately:
- 60-80 drumsticks OR
- 80-100 wings OR
- 40-60 thighs/breasts
BBQ Chicken
For barbecued chicken, plan for:
- 1/3 to 1/2 pound per adult
- For 20 people: 7-10 pounds total
Pulled Chicken
If you’re making pulled chicken sandwiches or tacos:
- 1/3 pound per person
- For 20 people: about 7 pounds of pulled chicken
Planning Tips from Someone Who’s Been There
1. Always Round Up
I always recommend adding an extra 10-15% to your calculations. It’s better to have a bit too much than not enough!
2. Consider Your Sides
The more substantial your side dishes, the less chicken you’ll need. If you’re serving hearty sides like mashed potatoes, pasta salad, and cornbread, you might be able to reduce your chicken portions slightly.
Some perfect sides to serve with chicken include:
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted vegetables
- Salads
- Pasta or rice dishes
- Biscuits or cornbread
- Coleslaw or potato salad
3. Think About Timing
When cooking for 20 people, timing is everything. Here’s a rough guide:
- Marinating: At least 4 hours
- Prep time: About 1 hour for seasoning, cutting, etc.
- Cooking time: Varies by method
- Oven baked: About 1 hour for 10 pounds
- Grilled: 15-20 minutes per batch
- Air fried: 1¾ hours (in batches)
- Deep fried: 45-60 minutes
Don’t forget to let your chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before serving for juicier meat!
4. Plan for Leftovers
Having some chicken leftover isn’t the worst thing. You can:
- Send guests home with containers
- Make chicken salad the next day
- Use leftover chicken in soups, tacos, or sandwiches
- Freeze it for future meals
Real-World Examples
For a formal dinner party with several sides:
- 10 pounds of boneless chicken breasts (about 26-30 pieces)
- Each guest gets one 8-ounce portion
For a casual BBQ:
- 8-10 pounds of bone-in chicken pieces (mix of thighs, drumsticks)
- About 40-50 pieces total
- Each guest takes 2-3 pieces
For a game day gathering with wings:
- 50-60 wings total
- Each guest gets 2-3 wings
Addressing Special Dietary Needs
If you know some of your guests have dietary restrictions:
- For gluten-free guests: Focus on grilled or roasted chicken without breading
- For health-conscious guests: Offer skinless chicken breasts
- For vegetarian guests: Provide substantial non-meat options and adjust your chicken quantities accordingly
I usually send out a quick message to guests beforehand asking about any dietary restrictions. This has saved me more than once!
Final Thoughts
The general guideline of 10-12 pounds of boneless chicken for 20 adults is a solid starting point, but don’t be afraid to adjust based on your specific situation. Consider your guests, the other food you’re serving, and the type of event.
When in doubt, I’ve found it’s better to prepare a little extra than not enough. After all, chicken leftovers are always welcome in my house!
Happy cooking!
How Much Chicken Is a Serving?
According to the USDA My Plate program, the recommended daily intake of lean cooked poultry is 5 ½ to 6 ounces for adults and teens and 2 to 4 ounces for smaller children.
If you’re eating chicken twice a day, this is roughly two 3.5-ounce portions or one 6-ounce serving.
I like to treat the USDA recommendations as a guideline while being flexible to different factors such as recipe type and the people being served.
How Many Chicken Breasts Per Person
Anywhere from 4 to 6 ounces of boneless, skinless chicken breasts is enough for one adult and half that amount for kids.
Most people are used to being served a single chicken breast on a plate; and while some pieces are cut into a 6-ounce portion, others can be up to 10 ounces in weight!
One thing to try with the larger chicken breast pieces when you want to serve a breast-shaped piece of chicken is to butterfly the chicken breast. This creates two equally sized portions out of one large breast.
If you’re making my juicy baked chicken breasts you’re definitely going to want a little more than a 4-ounce serving, and that’s perfectly okay.
Boneless Skinless Chicken breasts: 4 to 6 ounces per adult | 4 ounces per child
If you plan on cooking split chicken breasts, which come with the bone in and skin on, these have about 12 ounces worth of meat since they include the underside of the breast and part of the rib meat.
Bone-In Split breasts: 8 ounces per adult | 6 ounces per child (includes bone-weight)
Split breasts are larger and are great for cooking chicken in bulk to make a batch of shredded chicken for soups, tacos, and pasta.
Raising Chickens: Everything You Need To Know!
FAQ
How much chicken do you need for 20 people?
For a serving size of one piece of chicken per person, you would need 20 pieces of chicken for 20 people. If you plan to serve larger portions or want to account for guests possibly wanting more than one piece, adjust the quantity accordingly. When planning to feed 20 hungry guests, estimating the average chicken consumption per guest is crucial.
How much boneless chicken should a group of 20 eat?
Start by calculating about 8 ounces of cooked boneless chicken per person for a main course, adjusting for any additional protein options you may be serving. For a group of 20, this would mean preparing around 10 pounds of cooked chicken.
How much chicken do you eat per person?
The average adult will eat approximately 1/4 of a whole chicken or 2-3 pieces of bone-in chicken. For boneless chicken breasts, plan on 1.5-2 pieces per person. For boneless thigh meat, allocate about 6 ounces of cooked meat (or 1/2 pound raw) per guest. Quick Reference: For a standard meal, plan for 1/4 chicken per person.
How much chicken should I cook for 50 guests?
Remember that guests enjoy variety, so consider preparing an assortment of different pieces rather than just one type. When planning a barbecue for 50 guests, aim for about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of chicken per person. If you’re serving multiple protein options (like pulled pork and chicken), you can reduce this slightly to account for variety.
How much chicken should I feed 20 hungry guests?
To ensure success with chicken math when feeding 20 hungry guests, consider the following practical examples and tips. Start by calculating about 8 ounces of cooked boneless chicken per person for a main course, adjusting for any additional protein options you may be serving.
How much chicken do you need for a dinner party?
Whether you’re hosting a family reunion, a dinner party, or a special celebration, mastering Chicken Math will help you navigate the complexities of portion planning and ensure a delightful dining experience for everyone in attendance. For a serving size of one piece of chicken per person, you would need 20 pieces of chicken for 20 people.
How many pounds of chicken do I need for 20 people?
How many chickens for 20 adults?
I sometimes cook for about 16 – 20 people… 3 or 4 chickens are just about right… persons can get around 3 or 4 pieces and still can get second rounds… depends on how big/small your cuts are…
How many people will a 5 lb chicken feed?
How many servings is 5 lb of chicken?
5 LB Pack. Boneless/Skinless. Approximately 10 portions.