How Much Shredded Chicken Do You Need for 50 Sandwiches? The Ultimate Guide

Planning a big gathering and wondering exactly how much shredded chicken you’ll need to feed your hungry crowd? I’ve been there, frantically calculating amounts the night before a big event. After hosting numerous family reunions and community events, I’ve perfected the art of chicken sandwich math, and I’m here to share everything you need to know.

The Quick Answer: Chicken Quantity for 50 Sandwiches

For 50 sandwiches, you’ll need approximately 10 to 12.5 pounds of cooked shredded chicken. This calculation assumes you’re using 3-4 ounces of chicken per sandwich which is the ideal amount for a satisfying sandwich that won’t fall apart or leave people hungry.

But wait, there’s a catch! That’s the amount of cooked chicken When purchasing raw chicken, you’ll need to account for shrinkage during cooking

Raw to Cooked Conversion: What You Actually Need to Buy

When chicken cooks, it loses approximately 25% of its weight due to moisture loss This means

• To get 10 pounds of cooked chicken → Buy 13.3 pounds of raw chicken
• To get 12.5 pounds of cooked chicken → Buy 16.7 pounds of raw chicken

So for 50 sandwiches, plan to purchase 13.3 to 16.7 pounds of raw chicken (either breasts or thighs).

Using Canned Chicken: A Time-Saving Alternative

If you’re looking for convenience, canned chicken is a fantastic option! According to the recipe from Plowing Through Life, you’ll need about 75 ounces of canned chicken (drained) to make enough shredded chicken for approximately 40-50 sandwiches.

Their recipe combines:

• 75 ounces canned chicken breast (drained)
• 32 ounces cream of chicken soup
• 10.5 ounces cream of celery soup
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 12 ounces stuffing mix

This makes about 13 cups of shredded chicken mixture, which is perfect for feeding a crowd!

Rotisserie Chicken Option

Another convenient option is using rotisserie chickens. One large rotisserie chicken (2-3 pounds) typically yields about 1.5-2 pounds of shredded meat. For 50 sandwiches requiring 10-12.5 pounds of shredded chicken, you’d need approximately 5-7 rotisserie chickens.

Chicken Type: Breast vs. Thigh

The type of chicken you choose affects both flavor and texture:

Chicken Breast:

• Leaner and milder flavor
• Shreds easily
• Can become dry if overcooked
• More popular for sandwiches

Chicken Thigh:

• Richer flavor
• More moisture and tenderness
• Slightly harder to shred
• Less likely to dry out

I personally like using a combination of both for the best balance of flavor and texture. If using only breast meat, be extra careful not to overcook it.

Calculating Per-Person Portions

Using Miss Vickie’s calculator as a guide, here’s what you need for 50 people:

50 Persons needs approximately:44.09 pounds of raw chicken breast to yield39.68 pounds of cooked pulled chicken705.50 ounces of raw chicken breast to yield635.00 ounces of cooked pulled chicken20000.00 grams of raw chicken breast to yield18000.00 grams of cooked pulled chicken111.00 cups of raw chicken breast to yield100.00 cups of cooked pulled chicken

Wait, this seems like way more than what I mentioned earlier! That’s because this calculation is for a main dish portion of chicken, not sandwich filling. For sandwiches, we need less per person.

How to Prepare Perfect Shredded Chicken

Now that you know how much chicken you need, here’s how to prepare it:

1. Cook the chicken: Boil, bake, or use a slow cooker until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

2. Let it rest: Allow the chicken to cool slightly before shredding.

3. Shred using your preferred method:

   • Two forks (traditional method)
   • Stand mixer with paddle attachment (quick but be careful not to over-shred)
   • Food processor (use pulse function sparingly)

4. Season well: Add your favorite seasonings after shredding for maximum flavor distribution.

My Go-To Slow Cooker Method for a Crowd

When I’m making shredded chicken sandwiches for 50 people, I use this fool-proof slow cooker method from Plowing Through Life:

1. Line a large slow cooker with a liner or spray with cooking spray.
2. Drain canned chicken and fluff with a fork to separate pieces.
3. Add cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, and stir well.
4. Pour in chicken broth and stuffing mix, stirring to combine.
5. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 3-4 hours, stirring every hour.
6. Add additional broth as needed to keep the mixture moist.

This creates a delicious, creamy chicken filling that holds well in the slow cooker for hours—perfect for serving a large group!

Choosing the Right Buns

Don’t forget about the buns! For 50 sandwiches, you’ll need 50 buns (obviously!), but the type matters too:

• Sesame seed buns or honey buns were voted best for complementing creamed chicken sandwiches.
• Avoid the cheapest store-brand buns as they tend to be drier.
• Consider bun size—slider rolls will make many more sandwiches than large premium buns.

Planning for a Crowd: Additional Tips

When serving shredded chicken sandwiches to 50 people, keep these practical tips in mind:

1. Keep it moist: Have extra chicken broth on hand to add as needed if the chicken starts to dry out.

2. Serving time: If serving over several hours, a slow cooker on the “warm” setting is ideal for keeping the chicken at a safe temperature.

3. Need to thicken? Add extra stuffing mix, dried bread cubes, or crumbled Ritz crackers.

4. Sides to serve: Consider offering sides like:

   • Potato salad
   • Macaroni salad
   • Chips
   • Pickle spears
   • Fresh fruit

5. Dietary restrictions: Provide gluten-free bread options or lettuce wraps for those who can’t have traditional buns.

Cost Considerations

The cost of making shredded chicken for 50 sandwiches varies depending on:

• Whether you use fresh, canned, or rotisserie chicken
• Your location and where you shop
• If you’re adding other ingredients (like soups and stuffing mix)

As a rough estimate, using chicken breasts at $2.99/pound, you’d spend approximately $40-50 on just the chicken. Add in the cost of buns and additional ingredients, and you’re looking at roughly $75-100 total for 50 sandwiches.

Final Thoughts

Making shredded chicken sandwiches for 50 people doesn’t have to be stressful. With proper planning and these guidelines, you’ll have just the right amount of delicious chicken without excessive leftovers or coming up short.

Remember the magic numbers:

• 10-12.5 pounds of cooked shredded chicken
• 13.3-16.7 pounds of raw chicken
• 75 ounces of canned chicken if using the slow cooker recipe
• 5-7 rotisserie chickens if going that route

I’ve used these calculations for family reunions, sports team gatherings, and church potlucks, and they’ve never failed me. Your guests will be satisfied, and you’ll be known as the sandwich master of your social circle!

Do you have any special techniques for making shredded chicken sandwiches for a crowd? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

FAQs About Shredded Chicken for Sandwiches

How far in advance can I make shredded chicken?
Cooked, shredded chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for 2-3 months.

Can I mix white and dark meat chicken?
Absolutely! A mix of breast and thigh meat offers good flavor balance and moisture.

What if I’m serving other food at the event?
If you’re offering multiple main dishes, you can reduce the chicken to 2.5-3 ounces per sandwich.

How do I keep the chicken warm during serving?
A slow cooker on the “warm” setting is perfect for keeping shredded chicken at serving temperature for several hours.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover shredded chicken?
Microwave with a little added moisture (broth or water) or reheat slowly in a covered pan on the stovetop.