How many / much Costco Chickens for 16 people?

[jjdbike]

Hello everyone,

We're hosting a church small group that is turning into a large group. At this point we have 14 signed up, which makes 16 including my wife and I. Honestly, I don't know where we're going to put everyone. I heard that Costco sold two packs off whole chickens for a good price. I planed on picking up several two packs. I just did some poking around online and can't seem to find Costco two packs of whole chickens. I will call them when they open. We have a Costco Business Center close to us In San Marcos CA.

That being said, how many whole chickens do I need to feed 16 people? They will be smoked and it's a potluck so there will be multiple sides.

Thanks in advance.

JD

[Panhead John]

I’d guess about 3 pieces of chicken per person. 1 chicken will have 2 legs, 2 wings, 2 breasts and 2 thighs….. 8 pieces per chicken. 48 pieces total would come to 6 whole chickens. I’d buy 7 just to be sure. Also this should be enough to make sure everyone got pieces that they like. I’m not a thigh eater myself, so I would grab a few of the other pieces.

[RonB]

Awe come on John. Don'tcha know a thigh in your hand will put a smile on your face.

[bbqLuv]

I was thinking 1/2 chicken, 8 for 16 people. and may have leftovers.
Don't forget sides.

Costco has two chickens for 1.29 per lbs.

[jjdbike]

I wound up getting 6 whole chickens, 3 two packs for $1.29 a lb!
Thanks Panhead John, bbqLuv !

[Donw]

Costco Chicken Formula:

C = (x / 4.5) + (x * 0.1)

Where:

• C = Number of Costco chickens needed
• x = Number of people to be fed
• 4.5 = Average number of pieces of chicken per person (based on a meal that includes sides)
• 0.1 = An additional chicken for every ten people to account for seconds or unexpected guests.

🙂

[JCBBQ]

Half a chicken per person (8) is too much especially since there are sides. I’d guess one breast or one thigh and drum per person with sides would just about do it. But 4 seems not enough. I’d split the difference -6- and bet you have leftovers.

[OC Sandy]

I would figure 1/4 chicken per person. So, one chicken would feed 4 people. Four chickens would feed 16 people. Then I'd add at least one more for good measure. Note: I use Italian math for food which means if there aren't leftovers you didn't make enough.

[Hulagn1971]

I like your math.

[RhodeHog]

I’d slice the breasts and separate the legs, wings, and thighs. 4-5 per yardbird.

[fracmeister]

3.14 chickens if you serve pi for dessert

[MBMorgan]

I know it's irrational, but if pi is too many, 2.71828 is also an option, e?

[Ace]

Left over chicken makes great Tacos... Aim high...

[jayjordan]

Is there a US Foods ChefStore in your area? If so, they have cases of whole chickens.

[MBMorgan]

Personally, I try to keep such things simple: 1/2 chicken per adult and/or teen. During the party, keep the bulk of the chicken warm in the oven and serve/set out more as needed. Once the party is over, refrigerate (or freeze) all the left over oven chicken (the stuff that no one has been picking over or sneezing on) ... and dispose of any that has been sitting out.

[Oak Smoke]

I keep things even simpler than most. The last time I was supposed to cook chicken for several people I went to Sam’s for whole chickens and came home with flash frozen leg and thigh quarters. It worked like a champ. Some much less prep time and so easy to grill.

[jfmorris]

I will second this, although I would lean towards the fresh packs of thighs, legs, and breasts. And grill rather than smoke.

That said, it will take more grill space than whole chickens, to grill the inidividual parts.

[jfmorris]

No once has mentioned this, but it really depends on how big the chickens are. If they are on the small side - say 3 pounds or so each, then I could easily eat a half chicken myself. If they are the big 5 pounders like I see in 2 packs at Sam's Club, then I agree that at least 4 people can eat off one chicken.

I do agree that 4 might work, but I would err on the side of caution and smoke 6.

A lot also depends on how you serve. Surely you are not just plopping down whole chickens on a buffet. You will need to cut them. The way I do chickens for serving is that I separate the leg quarters off, as those really just feed one person. I separate the wings and put them on the serving platter. The breasts I carve off the carcass with a fillet knife, and keeping the skin in place, and then I just cut slices across the breast about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Entire carving process is a couple minutes at most per chicken.

Most ladies will get a couple slices of that breast meat, and move on down the line. SOME folks will be "greedy" and grab an entire pre-sliced breast. Guys will grab the leg quarters or wings.

Put tongs by the platter, and folks will grab what they want.

EDIT:

If you want to keep it simpler, and have grill space, do as Oak Smoke suggests above, and just grill individual pre-cut chicken parts, versus smoking whole chickens.

I also suggest if you smoke, smoke HOT (350ish), not low and slow. Dark meat just takes too long to render at temps below 300, and skin ends up rubbery. I prefer to grill chicken parts, or smoke/grill indirect at 350 to 400 degrees.

[gboss]

Costco whole chickens are about 5lbs each, so a decent size. 4 whole chickens (~20lbs raw) got me a full steam pan of pulled bbq chicken. Based on 60% yield, that ends up being 12lbs of finished chicken, which is probably plenty for 16 adults.

But, everyone loves leftovers and chicken is delicious, so cook 6.

[jjdbike]

I keep things even simpler than most. The last time I was supposed to cook chicken for several people I went to Sam’s for whole chickens and came home with flash frozen leg and thigh quarters. It worked like a champ. Some much less prep time and so easy to grill.

Thanks everyone,

Yes skin on bone in parts would be easiest. I have to believe that the fewer cuts the juicer the end product. On the other hand, I will spatchcock for ease of saucing & parting it out.

[efincoop]

I was asked to make pulled chicken (yes, I know its not the same) for a party with 30 guests. Mine was not the only "main" dish. I smoked 7 chicken I got at Sam's Club) and there was some left over.

Typical bone in precooked weight/person from my catering days was 1/2lb per person. That tends to be a little on the high side as most women tend to eat less than men.

I hope that helps.

[cruiseplanner1]

I always do a half chicken per person but I am using fryers from the meat market which are about 2.5 to 3 lbs each. I have no problem if there are leftovers and actually look forward to them.

[RlsRls]

What's the average age of the group? If a bunch of "Old Farts" like most of the subscribers in this group go easy, especially if there's a lot of sides! For 16 adults I'd use parts instead of whole birds.(A variety of pcs and sizes). I like to season/marinate overnight and grill fairly Hot n fast. Have an instant read thermoPen handy to constantly check temps. If grill space is a problem take them off in batches and keep warm somewhere.