Um, are the half chicken vs 1/4 chicken (or less) posters considering that chickens can come in a wide variety of sizes? I can eat half of a small chicken if there are minimal sides. From a bigger chicken, I usually eat about half of a breast or one thigh (1/8 chicken). That's why it is usually better to consider it by weight rather than by fraction of chicken.

OP, I think your plan sounds fine. I usually plan on 1/2 lb per adult for a main meat.

I am thin and very healthy and always eat half a chicken. With veggies or a salad. If I didn't, I would end up eating carbs and processed food and be a lardass.

OP here. Wow, this escalated quickly. I think I'll do about 15lb of chicken with hotdogs for any kids that want them. I don't want many leftovers because this is at a beach house. Thanks for all the input!

Anonymous wrote:I would grill one chicken breast for each guest - so 40. however I would also do some hamburgers and hotdogs for the kids who prefer them and for anyone still hungry if all 40 breasts get eaten.

That's definitely WAY too much chicken. Maybe one breast for every adult, plus a family pack (10-12) legs and another family pack of thighs. You'll still have tons leftover.

I would grill one chicken breast for each guest - so 40. however I would also do some hamburgers and hotdogs for the kids who prefer them and for anyone still hungry if all 40 breasts get eaten.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Half a chicken per person for adults, quarter chicken for kids. Most women won't eat a whole half, so you should be fine (maybe add a chicken or two to be safe).

This is why the US is so obese.
My DD9 and I split a quarter white for dinner last night. She had the wing and part of the breast. I had the rest. We both felt like it was the perfect amount of chicken.

That's nice, dear.

FWIW meat isn't the issue. It's carbs and sugars.

Moving on....

Over eating in general is the issue. Do you think people will just eat the half a chicken and then scrimp on the sides to save carbs and sugars? You know that most won't. They'll load up their plates with too much food. It is possible to enjoy less. But then, that's not the American way.

No one's forcing you to overeat. Worry about your damn self. This is the food forum, not the preaching forum.

liamw wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Half a chicken per person for adults, quarter chicken for kids. Most women won't eat a whole half, so you should be fine (maybe add a chicken or two to be safe).

This is why the US is so obese.
My DD9 and I split a quarter white for dinner last night. She had the wing and part of the breast. I had the rest. We both felt like it was the perfect amount of chicken.

I will eat a half to a whole chicken when I have chicken I am FAR from obese, I ate even more when on active duty.

Perhaps you are extremely active. Most of the "half-chicken at a cookout" crowd isn't the type used to doing PT every day. My partner is a very fit retired Marine and even he doesn't eat a whole chicken.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Half a chicken per person for adults, quarter chicken for kids. Most women won't eat a whole half, so you should be fine (maybe add a chicken or two to be safe).

This is why the US is so obese.
My DD9 and I split a quarter white for dinner last night. She had the wing and part of the breast. I had the rest. We both felt like it was the perfect amount of chicken.

That's nice, dear.

FWIW meat isn't the issue. It's carbs and sugars.

Moving on....

Over eating in general is the issue. Do you think people will just eat the half a chicken and then scrimp on the sides to save carbs and sugars? You know that most won't. They'll load up their plates with too much food. It is possible to enjoy less. But then, that's not the American way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Half a chicken per person for adults, quarter chicken for kids. Most women won't eat a whole half, so you should be fine (maybe add a chicken or two to be safe).

This is why the US is so obese.
My DD9 and I split a quarter white for dinner last night. She had the wing and part of the breast. I had the rest. We both felt like it was the perfect amount of chicken.

That's nice, dear.

FWIW meat isn't the issue. It's carbs and sugars.

Moving on....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Half a chicken per person for adults, quarter chicken for kids. Most women won't eat a whole half, so you should be fine (maybe add a chicken or two to be safe).

This is why the US is so obese.
My DD9 and I split a quarter white for dinner last night. She had the wing and part of the breast. I had the rest. We both felt like it was the perfect amount of chicken.

There are many reasons for the obesity epidemic, but don't think chicken is one of them. I would be more worried about the sides.

Anonymous wrote:Half a chicken per person for adults, quarter chicken for kids. Most women won't eat a whole half, so you should be fine (maybe add a chicken or two to be safe).

This is why the US is so obese.
My DD9 and I split a quarter white for dinner last night. She had the wing and part of the breast. I had the rest. We both felt like it was the perfect amount of chicken.

According to cooking for dummies, 1/2 lb per person. This chart is pretty helpful:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/cooking-for-crowds-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html

I think you should have hot dogs for the kids. That's what most like at BBQs and you can save on chicken.

Half a chicken per person for adults, quarter chicken for kids. Most women won't eat a whole half, so you should be fine (maybe add a chicken or two to be safe).

If that is the only meat being offered I would do 1 1/2 per person. I like to have more than enough food at parties. Nothing worse than running out of food.

Wondering how much to buy- it will go on the grill as the only main dish, with several sides. Out of the 40, half are kids between ages 6-12. Do I budget 1/2 lb/person? 1/4 pound for kids? Any suggestions?