How much chicken do you need to feed 500 people?

It's impossible to say exactly how much chicken you need to feed 500 people without more information! Here's why:

* Serving Size: Are you serving chicken as a main dish or a side dish? How much chicken do you plan to serve per person? A standard serving size for chicken is around 4-6 ounces, but this can vary widely depending on the dish.

* Type of Chicken: Are you using whole chickens, chicken breasts, thighs, or a combination? Different cuts of chicken have different yields and eating qualities.

* Other Foods: Will you be serving other main dishes alongside the chicken? If so, you might need less chicken per person.

To figure out how much chicken you need, consider these steps:

1. Decide on your serving size: How much chicken do you want to serve each person?

2. Consider the type of chicken: Are you using whole chickens, breasts, thighs, etc.? Research the yield for the type of chicken you're using.

3. Factor in other dishes: If you're serving other main dishes, you might need less chicken.

Example:

* Serving size: 5 ounces per person

* Type of chicken: Chicken breasts (yield about 50% usable meat)

* Other dishes: No other main dishes

Calculation:

* Total chicken needed: 500 people * 5 ounces/person = 2500 ounces

* Chicken to purchase (accounting for yield): 2500 ounces / 0.50 = 5000 ounces

This is just an example, and you'll need to adjust the calculation based on your specific needs.

It's always better to overestimate than underestimate, especially when feeding a large group. Consider having some extra chicken on hand in case of unexpected guests or larger appetites.