We all enjoy fun times when we can gather together and celebrate events with food and friends. Whether it’s a backyard barbeque, tailgate party, office potluck, or family reunion dinner, chicken is a popular choice. However, big batches of protein (such as chicken) can be expensive if you buy too much, so what is the right quantity for large groups?
For 100 people, you need 2-3 chicken breasts or thighs per person, 3-4 legs, or 4-5 wings for fried chicken. If it is smoked, it is 1-2 breasts, 2-3 thighs per person, 3-4 legs, or 8-12 wings. For baked or roasted, it is 1-2 pieces of chicken breasts or thighs per person, 3 legs, or 7 wings.
It can be hard to gauge what specifically to plan for when preparing food for large groups. The following information will help you immensely when you are planning on feeding chicken to a lot of people!
Baked or Roasted
The following tables give a bit of an outline for how much food to plan on. These charts consider the part of the chicken that is being served and how it is being cooked. Keep in mind that there is still a range to consider due to factors such as young children being a part of the group, or having some people with larger or smaller appetites than average.
Here are some amounts of chicken to plan for when the chicken is baked or roasted for a big group:
| Number of People | Number of Chicken Breast Pieces | Number of Chicken Wing Pieces | Number of Chicken Thigh Pieces | Number of Chicken Leg Pieces | Whole Chicken in Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person | 1-2 Breasts | 7-10 Wings | 1-2 Thighs | 3 Legs | 1 pound or 1/4 of Bird |
| 25 People | 25 Medium or 50 Boneless | 250 Medium or 175 Boneless | 25 Medium or 50 Boneless | 75 Legs | 25 Pounds or 5×10 pound bag |
| 50 People | 50 Medium or 100 Boneless | 500 Medium or 350 Boneless | 50 Medium or 100 Boneless | 150 Legs | 50 Pounds or 10×10 pound bag |
| 75 People | 75 Medium or 150 Boneless | 750 Medium or 525 Boneless | 75 Medium or 100 Boneless | 225 Legs | 75 Pounds or 15×10 Pound Bag |
| 100 People | 100 Medium or 200 Boneless | 1,000 Medium or 700 Boneless | 100 Medium or 200 Boneless | 300 Legs | 100 Pounds or 20×10 Pound Bag |
| 150 People | 150 Medium or 300 Boneless | 1,500 Medium or 1,050 Boneless | 150 Medium or 300 Boneless | 450 Legs | 150 Pounds or 30×10 Pound Bag |
| 200 People | 200 Medium or 400 Boneless | 2,000 Medium or 1,400 Boneless | 200 Medium or 400 Boneless | 600 Legs | 200 Pounds or 40×10 Pound Bag |
| Prepare Time | 30 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 45 Minutes |
| Cook Time | -35 minutes on average, totaling 6 hours *rotate at 20 minutes | -45 minutes on average, totaling 6 to 7 hours | -35 minutes on average, totaling 5 to 6 hours *rotate at 20 minutes | -35 minutes on average, totaling 3 hours *rotate at 20 minutes | -5 to 6 Hours *3 hours for 8 pound chicken |
| Total Time | -Around 6 hours and 30 minutes *add 2 to 5 hours when accounting for the time the chicken spends marinating | -Around 7 to 8 hours *add 2 to 5 hours when accounting for the time the chicken spends marinating | -Around 6 to 7 hours *add 2 to 5 hours when accounting for the time the chicken spends marinating | -Around 3.5 to 4 hours *add 2 to 5 hours when accounting for the time the chicken spends marinating | -Around 6 to 7 hours *add 2 to 5 hours when accounting for the time the chicken spends marinating |
Fried
Here are some amounts of chicken when it is fried for a big group:
| Number of People | Number of Chicken Breast Pieces | Number of Chicken Wing Pieces | Number of Chicken Thigh Pieces | Number of Chicken Leg Pieces | Whole Chicken in Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person | 2 to 3 Pieces | 4 to 5 Pieces | 2 to 3 Pieces | 3 to 4 Pieces | 0.75 to 1 Pound |
| 25 People | 50 to 75 Pieces | 100 to 125 Pieces | 50 to 75 Pieces | 75 to 100 Pieces | 19 to 25 Pounds |
| 50 People | 100 to 150 Pieces | 200 to 250 Pieces | 100 to 150 Pieces | 150 to 200 Pieces | 37 to 50 Pounds |
| 75 People | 150 to 225 Pieces | 300 to 375 Pieces | 150 to 225 Pieces | 225 to 300 Pieces | 58 to 75 Pounds |
| 100 People | 200 to 300 Pieces | 400 to 500 Pieces | 200 to 300 Pieces | 300 to 400 Pieces | 75 to 100 Pounds |
| 150 People | 300 to 450 Pieces | 600 to 750 Pieces | 300 to 450 Pieces | 450 to 600 Pieces | 115 to 150 Pounds |
| 200 People | 400 to 600 Pieces | 800 to 1,000 Pieces | 400 to 600 Pieces | 600 to 800 Pieces | 150 to 200 Pounds |
| Prepare Time | 1 Hour | 1 Hour | 1 Hour | 1 Hour | 1 Hour |
| Cook Time | Roughly 15 minutes *15 minutes with flipping over in the middle when air fried | 3 to 5 Minutes *12 minutes with flipping over in the middle when air fried | 12 to 15 minutes *18 minutes with flipping over in the middle when air fried | 12 to 15 Minutes *10 minutes with flipping over in the middle when air fried | -3.5 minutes per pound totaling 5 hours *30 minutes in the air fryer per chicken, flip at the 15 minute mark |
| Total Time | -4 hours when fried normally *add an additional 2 to 5 hours when accounting for the time the chicken spends marinating | -5 hours when fried normally *add an additional 2 to 5 hours when accounting for the time the chicken spends marinating | -3 and a half hours when fried normally *add an additional 2 to 5 hours when accounting for the time the chicken spends marinating | -4 hours when fried normally *add an additional 2 to 5 hours when accounting for the time the chicken spends marinating | -1 and a half hours when air fried *add an additional 2 to 5 hours when accounting for the time the chicken spends marinating |
Grilled
Here are some amounts of chicken when it is grilled for a big group:
| Number of People | Number of Chicken Breast Pieces | Number of Chicken Wing Pieces | Number of Chicken Thigh Pieces | Number of Chicken Leg Pieces | Whole Chicken in Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person | 2 to 3 Pieces | 4 to 5 Pieces | 2 to 3 Pieces | 3-4 pieces | 0.75 to 1 Pound |
| 25 People | 50 to 75 Pieces | 100 to 125 Pieces | 50 to 75 Pieces | 75 to 100 Pieces | 19 to 25 Pounds |
| 50 People | 100 to 150 Pieces | 200 to 250 Pieces | 100 to 150 Pieces | 150 to 200 Pieces | 37 to 50 Pounds |
| 75 People | 150 to 225 Pieces | 300 to 375 Pieces | 150 to 225 Pieces | 225 to 300 Pieces | 57 to 75 Pounds |
| 100 People | 200 to 300 Pieces | 400 to 500 Pieces | 200 to 300 Pieces | 300 to 400 Pieces | 75 to 100 Pounds |
| 150 People | 300 to 450 Pieces | 600 to 750 Pieces | 300 to 450 Pieces | 450 to 600 Pieces | 115 to 150 Pounds |
| 200 People | 400 to 600 Pieces | 800 to 1,000 Pieces | 400 to 600 Pieces | 600 to 800 Pieces | 150 to 200 Pounds |
| Prepare Time | 30 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 1 Hour |
| Cook Time | -6 hours to grill -boneless, skinless breast takes 9 to 12 minutes per side on the grill -breasts with bones in them take 14 to 17 minutes on the grill *flip every few minutes | -6 hours to grill -a wing takes 8 to 10 minutes per side on the grill *flip every few minutes | -5 hours to grill -a boneless, skinless thigh takes 5-8 minutes per side on the grill -a thigh with the bone takes 7-10 per side on the grill *flip every few minutes | -4 hours to grill -a leg takes 15-18 minutes per side on the grill *flip every few minutes | -6 to 7 Hours to Grill -8-pound chicken is 1.5 to 2.25 hours rotated |
| Total Time | Around 7 Hours | Around 7 Hours | Around 6 Hours | Around 5 Hours | 7 to 8 Hours Varying Greatly |
Smoked
Here are some amounts of chicken when it is smoked for a big group:
| Number of People | Number of Chicken Breast Pieces | Number of Chicken Wing Pieces | Number of Chicken Thigh Pieces | Number of Chicken Leg Pieces | Whole Chicken in Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person | 1 or 2 Pieces | 8 to 12 Pieces | 2 or 3 Pieces | 3 or 4 Pieces | 1/3 to 1/2 Pound |
| 25 People | 25 to 50 Pieces | 250 Pieces | 50 to 75 Pieces | 75 to 100 Pieces | 9 to 13 Pounds |
| 50 People | 50 to 100 Pieces | 500 Pieces | 100 to 150 Pieces | 150 to 200 Pieces | 18 to 25 Pounds |
| 75 People | 75 to 150 Pieces | 750 Pieces | 150 to 225 Pieces | 225 to 300 Pieces | 25 to 38 Pounds |
| 100 People | 100 to 200 Pieces | 1,000 Pieces | 200 to 300 Pieces | 300 to 400 Pieces | 34 to 50 Pounds |
| 150 People | 150 to 300 Pieces | 1,500 Pieces | 300 to 450 Pieces | 450 to 600 Pieces | 50 to 75 Pounds |
| 200 People | 200 to 400 Pieces | 2,000 Pieces | 400 to 600 Pieces | 600 to 800 Pieces | 67 to 100 Pounds |
| Prepare Time | 30 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 1 Hour |
| Cook Time | It is 1 hour on average, so it totals to around 4 to 5 hours to smoke | It averages about 90 minutes, so it totals to around 10 to 12 hours to smoke | It averages about 45 to 75 minutes, so it totals to around 4 to 5 hours to smoke | It averages about 90 minutes, so it totals to around 7 to 8 hours to smoke | It averages 2.5 to 3 hours for a 3-pound chicken, which totals to around 8 hours to smoke |
| Total Time | Around 4.5 to 5.5 hours | Around 10.5 to 12.5 hours | Around 4.5 to 5.5 hours | Around 7.5 to 8.5 hours | Around 9 hours |
As an Appetizer
Here are some amounts of chicken when it is used as an appetizer for a big group:
| Number of People | Number of Chicken Breast Pieces | Number of Chicken Wing Pieces | Number of Chicken Thigh Pieces | Number of Chicken Leg Pieces | Whole Chicken in Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person | 1 Breast | 3 Wings | 2 Thighs | 2 Legs | 5.5 Ounces |
| 25 People | 25 Pieces | 150 Medium or 75 Boneless | 50 Pieces | 50 Pieces | 15 Pounds or a 3×10 Pound Bag |
| 50 People | 75 Pieces | 300 Medium or 150 Boneless | 100 Pieces | 100 Pieces | 30 Pounds or a 6×10 Pound Bag |
| 75 People | 75 Pieces | 450 Medium or 225 Boneless | 150 Pieces | 150 Pieces | 45 Pounds or a 9×10 Pound Bag |
| 100 People | 100 Pieces | 600 Medium or 300 Boneless | 200 Pieces | 200 Pieces | 60 Pounds or a 12×10 Pound Bag |
| 150 People | 150 Pieces | 900 Medium or 450 Boneless | 300 Pieces | 300 Pieces | 9 Pounds or an 18×10 Pound Bag |
| 200 People | 200 Pieces | 1,200 Medium or 600 Boneless | 400 Pieces | 400 Pieces | 12 Pounds or a 24×10 Pound Bag |
| Prepare Time | 30 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 45 Minutes |
Cooking Times
Cook time for chicken breast:
- To normally fry a chicken breast, it takes an average of 15 minutes. To fry for 100 people would take a total of 3.5 hours.
- To bake a chicken breast takes an average of 35 minutes per piece- a total of 3 or 4 hours for 100 people.
- To grill a boneless chicken breast takes about 9 to 12 minutes per side- totaling 4 to 5 hours for 100 people.
- To grill a bone-in chicken breast takes about 14 to 17 minutes per side- totaling 6 to 7 hours for 100 people.
- To roast a skinless, boneless chicken breast takes about 35-45 minutes. To roast for 100 people would take about 3 hours.
- To roast a bone-in breast takes about 40 to 50 minutes. To roast for 100 people would take a total of 4 hours.
- Broiling chicken breasts takes an average of 20 minutes- totaling 3 to 4 hours depending on bone-in or boneless.
- Smoking chicken breasts takes about an hour- totaling to 4 hours for 100 people.
Cook time for chicken wings:
- To fry a chicken wing, it takes an average of 3 to 5 minutes. To fry for 100 people would take a total of 2 hours.
- To air-fry a chicken wing takes an average of 12 minutes per piece- a total of 3 to 4 hours for 100 people.
- To bake a chicken wing takes about 45 minutes per piece- totaling 5 to 6 hours for 100 people.
- To grill a chicken wing takes 8 to 10 minutes per side- totaling 4 hours for 100 people.
- To roast a chicken wing takes an average of 25 minutes. To roast for 100 people would take 4 to 5 hours.
- Broiling chicken wings takes 20 minutes- totaling 3 to 4 hours for 100 people.
- Smoking chicken wings takes an average of 90 minutes. To smoke chicken for 100 people would take 10 to 12 hours.
Cook time for chicken thighs:
- Frying chicken thighs takes an average of 12 to 15 minutes- 4 hours total to feed 100 people.
- Air-frying chicken thighs takes 18 minutes per piece. To feed 100 people would take 5 to 6 hours.
- Baking or roasting chicken thighs takes 35 minutes per piece, so it will take about 3 hours for 100 people.
- Grilling a skinless, bone-in thigh takes 35-45 minutes- totaling 3 to 4 hours
- Grilling a skinless, boneless thigh takes 20-30 minutes- totaling 3 hours
- Smoking chicken thighs takes 45 to 75 minutes. To feed 100 people would take 2 to 3 hours.
Cook time for chicken legs:
- Frying chicken legs takes 12 to 15 minutes, totaling 2 to 3 hours when frying for 100 people.
- Air-frying chicken legs takes 10 minutes per piece, totaling 3 hours for 100 people.
- Baking chicken legs takes 35 minutes per piece- about 2 hours total for 100 people.
- Grilling a chicken leg takes 15 to 18 minutes per side. To grill enough legs for 100 people would take around 3 hours.
- Roasting chicken legs takes an average of 45 minutes, totaling 3 to 4 hours for 100 people.
- Broiling chicken legs takes about 15 to 18 minutes, totaling 3 hours for 100 people,
- Smoking chicken legs takes the longest, at 90 minutes. To feed 100 people would take 3 to 4 hours.
Cook time for whole chicken:
- Frying a whole chicken takes around 40 to 45 minutes
- Air-frying a whole chicken takes around 1 hour
- Unless all of the chickens can be baked or roasted at once, it will take around 3 hours to bake and more or less based on group size
- Grilling or roasting a whole chicken takes 3 hours
- Smoking a whole chicken takes 4 hours
- Broiling a whole chicken takes 3 hours
Each of these different types of cooking and different parts of the chicken will have different cooking times depending on cooking capacity and more or less based on group size. The more ovens, stoves, and grills you have to work with, the less time it will take to prepare enough chicken to feed 100 people. However, if you only have one air-fryer, then it might take longer.
Now that you know all of the different times it takes to prepare chicken for the masses, you can have the ultimate get-together that you’ve been planning.
