Size Does Matter!

1. Size Does Matter! How to properly determine how big (and how heavy) of a chicken you’ll need to roast.

2. What Is Needed To Know About The Weight Of A Chicken • The weight of a chicken sold in a supermarket is based on its gross weight. This includes fat, innards, etc. • While it may look like a lot before its cooked, a chicken will lose some of its weight when it is cooked. • If the weight of the chicken is correctly selected, you’ll have enough to feed everybody. • If you go a little over what you need, don’t worry! You can have leftovers later (or give them to someone who loved the roasted chicken).

3. How To Do The Math • On average, an individual will eat ½ to ¾ of a pound of roasted chicken. • A ½ pound of chicken per person is usually sufficient, but you can go up to ¾ of a pound for bigger portions. • Written as a mathematical equation: (Number of people) x (0.5 - .75) = Weight of Chicken (in pounds)

4. Cheat Sheet • Rule of thumb: For every two people, you’ll need to roast one pound of chicken. • 2 people = 1 pound chicken • 4 people = 2 pound chicken • 6 people = 3 pound chicken • Note: The heaviest chickens sold weighs 6 pounds – enough for 12 people, less if you’re going to be making big portions for each person.

5. Review Exercises 1) Cooking dinner for yourself and a loved one – how heavy should the chicken be? 2) You’re making roast chicken for yourself and four friends. Everyone brought their appetites! What weight should the chicken be? 3) It’s roast chicken night at your place, and you have two other people joining you for dinner. How many pounds of chicken will be needed? Bonus Question: How much chicken would you need to feed a dozen people?

6. Answers 1) (2) x (0.5) = 1 pound of chicken 2) (5) x (0.75) = 3 ¾ pounds of chicken 3) (3) x (0.5) = 1 ½ pounds of chicken Bonus Question) (12) x (0.5) = 6 pounds of chicken