Exactly How Much Fried Chicken to Buy for Any Group Size

How Much Fried Chicken to Buy for any big Party

One of the favorites and cheapest party foods that you can serve for any group size is fried chicken, my favorite is chicken breast fried with a crispy coating.

Hamburgers and fried chicken go well together along with fries.

How many hamburgers to buy or cook for a crowd and just how many fries you will need per person are two essential reads when you are planning your party.

Plus, it is not much hassle to cook and you can see our recipe below for homemade fried chicken – but first, we need to work out just how much-fried chicken for 100 people (or 10,40 50, etc) and discover the tips so you can calculate how much chicken that is fried up in the oven or air fryer for a family reunion, crowd, party or just a company holiday gathering.

While you can make it yourself there will be a little bit of effort required if you are going to do that for a larger group size. 

For sure, not everyone in the group will eat this dish but it is still good to cook the average amount so you can know how much to buy in the grocery. Also, we cannot deny that we Americans eat a lot of it, right?

So, keep in mind that when buying for any group size, you should have at least enough amount for each person to have 2 to 3 pieces (one breast and one chicken thigh at least. You will also need more if you are drinking beer at a summer picnic or watching a sports event like the Super Bowl.

Did you know that at a sporting game like the Super Bowl the fans eat 1.4x the normal amount and this applies to fried chicken also. See how to make a Taco Bar for the Superbowl

Ribs also go great at a tailgate or Superbowl event – see how many slabs for 20 people.

Let us start discussing the basics first.

How Much Fried Chicken Should I Order Per Person

If you are wondering how much you should order per person, know that the average is 3 pieces per guest. For instance, if you have 10 adult guests, you should prepare at least 30 pieces; 12 adult guests would need 36 pieces; 40 adult guests would need 120 pieces; while 100 adult guests would need 300 pieces of fried chicken. Keep in mind that not all pieces contain the same amount of chicken meat, and some people love wings and may eat 4-5 so you need to cater for this uneven eating.

Pro TIp – If you have kids coming – they will often take fried chicken, but then not eat it all – leaving it – the pro tip is to reduce the number of chicken pieces you buy overall but add some popcorn chicken or a set of chicken tender boxes for the kids – just keep the adults away from it.

However, there are some circumstances that you should consider. Like some of these:

Who are your guests?

How much chicken per person? – Knowing the exact number of guests or at least, having an idea of who is coming is a must in preparing the food. Are there a lot of kids? Are they all adults? Are they all oldies? Mostly, kids eat at least one fried chicken every meal, so you do not have to prepare more than the average numbers indicated above. On the other hand, if your guests are all adults, then you have to prepare more than the number of guests on the list. While oldies would tend to eat less than adults but not as less than the kids since most of them would prefer to have a controlled amount of calories and proteins, which fried chicken has a lot. 

If you know you have guests coming who are very health conscious why not have some grilled chicken (less fat and saturated fat) – even with the skin removed for them.

How short/long will the event be?

The length of time spent at the gathering will determine how much food you have to prepare, too. A lengthy 8 hours of get-together for a holiday will require more dishes and fried chicken since there is a bigger chance that the guests will go for the second round of meals. On the other hand, a two-hour meeting will just need a couple of dishes or snacks to be served for your guests.

What type of cuisine are required for the event?

Fried chickens have also gone unique throughout the years. There are some that are made differently according to what suits best and they should also be suited in whichever cuisine has planned for the gathering. For example, buttermilk fried chicken is made with a lot of ingredients, hence it easily makes you fuller. Korean fried chickens are usually made hot and spicy, therefore not all will consume in a huge amount. While the original fried chicken or the country fried chicken is usually one of the best, hence expect that all of your fellows will take more than one from the serving plate. 

What Are The Best Places to Buy Fried Chicken

KFC, The HotHouse, Wingstop, Shake Shack, and McDonald’s are among the few places to buy the best-fried chicken in the world. Plus, it has a group or family-sized bundle for you to calculate how much you need for a crowd.

Whether you have 10 or 100 guests, these fast-food chains can cater to your needs.

Also, most fast-food restaurants have several fried chicken recipes that you can choose from, such as chicken tenders, chicken wings kosher, Korean-style, buffalo-style, teriyaki chicken, and more to make your feast more exciting.

Though it can be more expensive, especially when ordering in larger sizes, it would definitely save your preparation time and effort in cooking and doing groceries. 

What Can I Do to Add Flavor to My Fried Chicken for A Group Recipe?

Here are some ideas to add some fun to your big crowd of chicken eaters.

• Gravy
• potato salad
• shredded cheese
• bbq sauce
• dipping sauce – eg humus
• egg salad
• peri peri sauce
• mashed potatoes
• corn bread

Which local stores sell the best chicken recipe?

Another alternative is to buy it from any local stores around you. You can choose to buy in Walmart, which is way cheaper but the same taste as fast foods. It has one of the most affordable options that you can have.

You can see here what are the real differences between the types of KFC Chicken.

How to Cook Healthy Fried Chicken in Air Fryer

This method is going to be way easier, convenient, and healthy for everyone. Making your own fried chicken can also be worth it economically if you spare a lot of time in preparing and cooking. We will provide you the easiest way possible to achieve the best recipe you can have.

Servings: 10 people

Ingredients (marinade)

• 2 tsp salt
• 2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 30 pcs different parts of chicken (thighs, wings, breasts, and drumsticks)

Ingredients (coating or breading)

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 tsp pepper
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp onion powder
• Canola or olive oil

Directions

1. Marinate the chicken by mixing the buttermilk and spices into a large bowl. Mix thoroughly and let it sit for 24 hours for the best results.

2. Pre-heat air fryer for 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius

3. Prepare the breading in a medium bowl and whisk all together with the flour, cornstarch, and spices.

4. Put 2-3 tablespoons of buttermilk into the flour mixture and mix thoroughly.

5. Put the chicken one at a time. Mix and make sure that all parts of the chicken are covered with flour.

6. Place the chicken one at a time in the preheated air fryer. Make sure it’s not overlapping. 

7. Brush the chicken with oil. Make sure that all parts are covered so that the breading will create not create a crispy crust or a corn starch crust.

8. Cook it for 30 minutes or until it gets golden. Internal temperature should reach 165°.

9. Flip every 15 minutes and brush or spray it with oil.

10. Cook the remaining chicken. (Add in some a drumstick or 3!)

Serve with mashed potatoes and green onion as a dinner side.

sliced

Using an air fryer is the best healthy way to cook any dish for any group size. If you do not have one, here are some affordable air fryers that can definitely help you:

• COSORI Air Fryer Max XL(100 Recipes)

ASIN B07GJBBGHG

This is an extra-large air fryer that features 13 one-touch cooking functions and rapid 360° air circulation to provide crispy results using less oil. All of its accessories are BPA-free, PFOA-free, and dishwasher safe. The air fryer’s spacious 5.8-quart square baskets can fit a whole 5-pound chicken, which is perfect for cooking in a large amount. It has specific dimensions of 14.3 x 11.8 x 12.6 inches (handle included) while the basket dimensions measure 9 x 9 x 3.75 inches.

• Instant Pot Vortex Pro 9-in-1 Air Fryer

ASIN B07VM1HQ87

This Instant Pot Vortex will allow you to air fry, roast, broil, bake, toast, reheat, proof, dehydrate, and rotisserie all in one appliance. It cooks by circulating super-hot air around your food so it cooks evenly and locks in moisture that gives the crispy, golden texture and delicious taste of deep-fried, without the oil and grease. The large 10 Quart capacity (13.23 x 13.78 x 14.37 inches) can fit two cooking trays at once, so you can make multiple meals in one go.

• Ninja Air Fryer

ASIN B07FDJMC9Q

This Ninja Air Fryer makes your fried chicken healthier by cutting out almost 75% of oil. This is an extra-large capacity that comes with a 4-quart ceramic-coated (13.6 x 11 x 13.3 inches) basket that fits 2 lbs. of fries. It also has four programmable functions such as air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate. Plus, it makes your cooking time more convenient through its accessories that are all dishwasher-safe. 

Related Questions

How much chicken should I buy for 4 adults?

We suggest that you prepare 3 pieces of chicken per adult. With that, you need to have 12 pieces for 4 adults in your meal. 

How much chicken should I buy for 10 adults?

A group of 10 adults would need 30 pieces of chicken in a meal. As stated, it would be best to prepare 3 pieces per adult to avoid shortage. 

How many pieces of chicken should I prepare for a party of 40?

A party of forty would need 120 pieces of chicken if all guests are adults. However, you would need to either increase or lessen the amount if there are kids and oldies in the group. Please refer to our details above.

How much chicken per day is healthy?

The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggests limiting portion sizes of chicken between two and six and a half ounces of protein per day. However, people who are physically active like athletes may need more. 

Optional for Extra Crispy Cornstarch Crust

After seasoning the drumstick, thigh or wings lay them flat on a plate or cutting board. Lightly sprinkle cornstarch over the chicken on both sides. Spray evenly with oil spray so that all the cornstarch is coated in oil. Lay in an even layer in the air fryer basket/tray.

How to Cook Crispy Chicken Wings in Air Fryer (With out Oil)

Season the chicken wings (can also use chicken breast) with salt and pepper, and put them into the air fryer basket. Then Air Fry the chicken. Do a number of turnings or tossing of the chicken

First Turning: Air Fry then shake the chicken wings so they turn over

Second Turning: Shake and toss the chicken wings a second time.

Last Toss: Now put the chicken wings to a bowl, and coat with your favorite sauce. Then back into the air fryer one last time for a 3-5 minutes.

Not sure how many chicken wings to make or buy as appetizers for your next get-together? – Use the same method – 4 wings per person if you are generous.

See our Guide on how many Chicken wings you need for a big group -with a handy table.