Chicken fingers are a classic appetizer and fun finger food that both kids and adults love. They are hard to resist because they are crispy on the outside and soft and juicy on the inside.
When cooking up a batch of chicken fingers for your family or a party, it’s helpful to know approximately how many you’ll get per pound This allows you to calculate the right amount to purchase and prepare
In this article, we’ll take a close look at estimating chicken finger portion sizes. Read on for a breakdown of how many tenders you can expect per pound based on their size, along with serving tips.
Determining the Number of Tenders Per Pound
What kind of chicken tenders you get can make a big difference in how many you get per pound. More fingers will be on smaller, thinner tenders per pound, while fewer fingers will be on larger, thicker pieces per pound.
Here is a general range of how many chicken finger strips you can expect from different sizes:
- Small tenders: Approximately 14 per pound
- Medium tenders: 10-12 per pound
- Large tenders: 8-10 per pound
- Jumbo tenders: 6-8 per pound
For instance, if you bought 2 pounds of medium-sized chicken fingers, you’d get about 20 to 24 separate strips.
The breading and cooking method can also have a small effect on the number of tenders per pound. Fingers that are heavily breaded may weigh a little more than those that are lightly breaded.
How Tender Size Impacts Counts
Why such a range in finger counts? Let’s look closer at how the size affects the tally:
- Small tenders are often around 1 inch wide and 3-4 inches long. They weigh approximately 1 ounce each.
- Medium fingers are about 1.5 inches wide and 4-5 inches long. They are roughly 1.1-1.5 ounces each.
- Large fingers measure 2 inches wide and 5-6 inches in length. They weigh in around 1.6-1.8 ounces each.
- Jumbo tenders are the biggest at over 2 inches wide and 6 inches long. They can be 2 ounces or more per tender.
With the small tenders, you easily get 14 or more per pound because of their petite size and weight. The jumbo fingers may only have 6-8 strips per pound because of their heftier proportions.
When purchasing chicken for fingers, opt for tenderloins or breast meat. These cuts naturally lend themselves to elongated oval shapes perfect for tenders.
Serving Size Guidelines
When determining how many pounds of chicken fingers you need to buy and prepare, consider:
- The number of people you are serving
- If the fingers are a starter, main dish, or snack
- If you are pairing the fingers with other foods
Here are some general serving recommendations:
- For an appetizer portion, allow 3-4 fingers per person.
- For a main meal, budget 5-7 tenders per person.
- For a snack, 2-3 fingers per guest is usually sufficient.
If serving tenders as an appetizer for 20 people, you’d need about 6-8 pounds to allow 3-4 each. For a main meal for 10, you’d want 5-7 pounds to give 5-7 each.
Provide dipping sauces on the side, allowing about 1⁄4-1⁄2 cup per 4-5 tenders. Ranch, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, and bleu cheese dressing all pair nicely.
Buying Chicken for Fingers
When purchasing chicken for fingers, you typically have to buy packages weighed in pounds rather than buying a specific number of individual tenders. This is where knowing the estimated tender-per-pound range comes in handy.
While less common, some restaurants and food service operations may sell chicken fingers counted out by the each rather than weighed. This allows you to purchase an exact quantity.
If buying tenders at a deli counter or from a package, check for the size on the label. Opt for “medium” or “large” tenders if you want the ideal finger shape and portion size. Avoid tenders labeled as “popcorn” or “nugget” style.
Freezing and Reheating Tenders
Making a big batch of homemade chicken fingers? Extend their shelf life by freezing breaded raw tenders or cooked fingers for later.
To freeze raw tenders:
- Bread tenderloins
- Place in a single layer on a baking sheet
- Freeze until hard, about 2 hours
- Transfer to an airtight freezer bag
For cooked fingers:
- Let cool completely after frying or baking
- Place in freezer bags in serving size portions
- Remove as much air as possible & seal
Thaw frozen fingers overnight in the fridge before reheating. Reheat baked fingers in a 400°F oven for 5-10 minutes until hot in the center. For fried fingers, reheat in a 375°F oven on a baking sheet until crispy again.
The Takeaway
When planning your next chicken finger feast, you can expect approximately 4-6 strips per pound for small tenders, 8-10 per pound for medium, 10-12 for large, and 14+ for extra small fingers.
Buy enough pounds of chicken to allow 3-7 portions per person depending on if they are a starter or main dish. Follow these simple tips for buying, prepping and serving crowd-pleasing chicken fingers!
How to Pan-Fry Chicken Tenders
- Put oil on the bottom of a big skillet and set it over medium-low heat.
- Whisk the eggs and water together in a shallow bowl.
- Put the flour and spices in a bag or container that can be closed again.
- Dip the chicken tenders one at a time in the egg, letting any extra run off.
- Place the chicken strips in the spiced flour.
- Close the bag and toss the chicken strips around to cover them all.
Why Our Testers Loved This
People who tried this recipe said it was “fool-proof,” “weeknight-friendly,” and “easy.” It’s not a surprise that everyone who tried these “flavorful and crispy” chicken tenders loved them.
- Chicken tenders—At the store, you might see these called chicken fillets or chicken tenderloins. You can cut several boneless chicken breasts into 1-inch-thick slices if you can’t find them.
- Oil—Use a high-smoke-point oil like vegetable, sunflower, or safflower oil when you fry.
- Seasoning—This mix of paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder will coat your chicken in a mild, tasty spice. When seasoning the tenders, use hot paprika or a pinch of cayenne if you like your food more spicy.
Why order chicken tenders at a restaurant #chickentenders
FAQ
How many chicken fingers are in a pound?
Approximately 5 chicken tenders weigh one pound.
How many pieces of chicken is 1 lb?
Perfectly seasoned and grilled chicken breast, or four chicken breasts. (This is 16 ounces of cooked weight, which is actually 20 ounces of raw weight!).
How much do 4 chicken strips weigh?
If you indulge in a serving of four chicken strips (about 150g), you will consume about 450 calories, accounting for approximately 27% of your daily caloric intake.
How many chicken fingers per person?
Raising Cane’s says that for a meal with chicken fingers, each person should have three to four fingers. This can vary based on the size of the fingers, the appetite of the individuals, and whether there are other side dishes.
How many chicken fingers are in a serving?
Chicken Fingers (5 Pieces) Per 1 serving – Calories: 625kcal | Fat: 5. 00g | Carbs: 105. 00g | Protein: 45. 00g Nutrition Facts – Similar Related searches for: Chicken fingers.
How many chicken tenders are in a pound?
The statement “On average, there are about 8 to 12 chicken tenders in a pound, but the exact number can vary based on factors like size, thickness, and cut” breaks down as follows: On average: This implies that, in general, you can expect a certain range of chicken tenders per pound. It’s a typical or common scenario.
How much fat is in chicken fingers?
The total fat content in chicken fingers is 13. 95 grams per serving, which includes both saturated and unsaturated fats. Fat is an important part of a healthy diet because it gives you energy and helps cells grow, but you should limit how much you eat and be aware of the types of fat you’re eating.
How many chicken tenderloins are in a pound?
But it can be hard to tell how many chicken tenderloins are in a pound when you buy them. The number can vary depending on the size and thickness of the tenderloins. On average, there are between 8-12 chicken tenderloins in a pound. The exact number will depend on the size and thickness of the specific tenderloins.