Now: Help me plan sunday family dinner! Was: Will one roasted chicken be enough?

[Run Amok]

So, I'm having 7 meat eaters over for dinner on Sunday. I was thinking of roasting a chicken. Will 1 large chicken be enough? I think so. Right?

[redkitty]

No, it will not be enough.  Chickens really aren't that big.  I would say one whole chicken would be good for about 4 adults...probably can push it to 5 if you have a lot of side dishes. 

Another, and probably easier way, is to get enough pieces of chicken to roast.  1. It will be faster to roast chicken this way and 2. it can be slightly easier to plan.  But if you want a whole chicken, you should estimate between 1/2 lbs to 1 lb of meat per person.  Or if you get pieces parts, i would say the equivalent of 1.5-2 whole chickens.  Roast the breasts meat side down if you go this way.  They will stay moist longer and white and dark meat do not cook for the same length (as in dark meat tends to take longer to get to the proper temperature, I have found that roasting in pieces can help cut down this difference but dark meat still takes longer...thus if you put the chicken breast upside down it will stay moist longer.) 

[mango]

Will 1 large chicken be enough?

hell no.

unless every person eats like a bird.

in my ideal world, I'd go with two per chicken, so that each can have one drumstick and one thigh and one wing and one breast.

the pair will have to share the neck, but at least will be able to split the wishbone with joy!

[Run Amok]

Ok, well cooking 4 chickens is out! So, hmm. I'll have to come up with something else. A whole roasted chicken is a magical thing- I think something is lost in the chopping up of the bird. Maybe I'll do a roast or lasagna, or something.

[redkitty]

Ok, well cooking 4 chickens is out! So, hmm. I'll have to come up with something else. A whole roasted chicken is a magical thing- I think something is lost in the chopping up of the bird. Maybe I'll do a roast or lasagna, or something.

I agree that a whole chicken definitely presents nicer than cut up chicken. i do disagree about having a whole chicken for every two people. I assume you will be serving stuff besides chicken. My DH and I cannot even finish 1/2 of a chicken between us.  No way could I eat a leg, thigh, and breast PLUS sides. I could eat all that if there were zero sides.  But finding room for two chickens still might be tricky. 

and again, on a roast, assume 1/2 lb- 1 lb of meat per person.  If you have big eaters, err on the side of more meat. Better to have too much than not enough. 

[Run Amok]

Yep, salad, bread, roasted veggies, plust probably another veggie dish, mashed potatoes. Possibly some snacks for before dinner.

[witchypoo]

i always assume 3-4 people per chicken, as long as i have ample # of sides, and serve with rolls.

edit: otherwise, yeah.  2 peeps per shicken.

[teetime]

What sized chicken are you talking about?  I only cook 3-4lb ones since I think the smaller the better in terms of getting a good dry brine and flavor and those are good for two meals for me and DH but we usually eat a big salad too.  So even a big bird is probably very skimpy for 7 guests.

There are some wonderful and impressive dishes with chicken parts:

Moroccan chicken with apricots and almonds?

I have a GREAT recipe for "Braised chicken in mustard with garlic and mascarpone" from Jody Adams.  I'll pm you the PDF if you're interested.

[Run Amok]

I'm looking for something that will be pretty easy to throw together, appeal to the masses, and also be ridiculously good- this isn't a particularly adventurous crowd. I have one oven and a fairly small kitchen to work out of- so the idea of cooking off two chickens is not particularly appealing.

But, I'm open to other ideas!

[onawhim]

I can pretty much eat a whole one myself 

[mango]

I can pretty much eat a whole one myself 

I know, right?

shicken

heehee

I'm open to other ideas!

buy ready made rotisserie chickens, and do only sides -- à la Sandra Lee aka semi-homemade style.

[onawhim]

I have made this for a big group.  Simple and yummy. 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jamie-oliver/crispy-and-sticky-chicken-thighs-with-squashed-new-potatoes-and-tomatoes-recipe/index.html

[redkitty]

Does it have to be chicken?  What about a small turkey?  Cooks the same way as a chicken. 

I have a nice bbq brisket.  It is easy to make, takes about 3 hours in the oven or you could put in the crockpot and cook it 6-7 hours until tender.  A 3lb brisket feeds only about 4-5 people.  I think if you found a 4-6 lb one it would easily feed 7 people and go well with your sides. iF you are interested, PM your email. I have it scanned already. 

Beef stew is easy.  Braised beef tips. 

Oven "Fried" crispy chicken is easy.  You can still serve chicken, and in pieces and it is very easy. 

[radial]

One chicken?

Why not make up a couple of pans of basic lasagna (one with meat, one without)?  Pair that with an interesting salad, some decent bread + a good olive oil for dipping, a few bottles of vino, and a simple desert.  Your guests will be impressed all out of proportion to the effort involved. 

[monster2]

I also vote lasagna, if you assemble it way ahead of time it only gets better!

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[Natasha]

I've been hooked on this website ever since triciaflower posted a soup from it, and I just made this chicken tonight: very good, easy, and attractive.

http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/2009/06/09/the-best-chicken-you-will-ever-eat-ever/

[moroccangirl]

I've been hooked on this website ever since triciaflower posted a soup from it, and I just made this chicken tonight: very good, easy, and attractive.

http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/2009/06/09/the-best-chicken-you-will-ever-eat-ever/

That looks good! Saving to try later.

[caribougrrl]

this time of year you might be able to get a very large chicken (~8lbs) if you know where to find one (farmer's markets, back yard grower), and that would do for sure... two smaller chickens should fit in one roasting pan, so not too much extra work

an ordinary grocery store sized chicken will do 3-4 meals for gf and I, but usually 2 chicken-centered meals, then a couple of chicken in something meals (pizza, pasta, enchiladas)... we might eek out a soup too, but probably just a broth.  So I would use 1 chicken for up to 4 adults, but would do 2 chickens for 7 and expect some leftovers. 

[RioG]

hell, I've got some 12 lb free range suckers in my freezer.  Too bad I couldn't ship you one!

[Run Amok]

I think maybe I'll just do lasagna. This thread is exhausting my brain.