Chicken Breasts - divide and conquer?

Poppa's PTL Club

I find that most whole chicken breasts are too large for service for one (approaching a pound). I tend to sell chicken pieces with a half breast (I cut the bone-in breasts in half). Of course, I explain this to a client if I'm selling it as part of a meal.

Am I the only one who does this or do you guys just buy smaller breasts? I've tried using the smaller breasts, but if it's a two meat meal, I've found that there's a lot of waste and it's expensive waste for the client (I'm not eating the cost, it's built in). I prefer to quote a reasonable portion size and keep the prices as low as possible.

Your thoughts?
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OddThomas · Posted: Wed Jun 17 09 5:44 pm Post subject:

If I'm just doing breasts, I like to use the Tyson pre-sized 5 oz portions from Sam's. If I do whole chickens (which I prefer), I do the same as you -- half a breast.

BBQMAN · Posted: Wed Jun 17 09 6:08 pm Post subject:

Same here as OT.
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Poppa's PTL Club · Posted: Wed Jun 17 09 7:21 pm Post subject:

Are the Tyson's frozen? I've never seen them and I usually work with fresh only.
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I likes to eat 'da pig!
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BBQMAN · Posted: Wed Jun 17 09 7:39 pm Post subject:

Yes they are frozen but a very good product for those that want white meat only.

I also use them for most every pig roast that we do. They take on marinade readily and are easy to portion control.

I've also used them for chicken fajitas and chicken salad.

They also vend well.

For a chicken only meal we usually go with bone in quarters, mix of light and dark. And the breasts are so big that it requires whomever is serving them to cut them in half.
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Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

Bryce Crane · Posted: Sun Jun 21 09 1:24 pm Post subject:

Fresh whole...bone-in.
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Harry Nutczak · Posted: Mon Jun 22 09 3:01 am Post subject:

We very rarely use only breasts. and when we do, I order random sized becuase they will be sliced for other items and whole size does not matter.

PTL, does your distributor offer smaller bone-in skin-on breasts at all? I agree that the normal "Grocery Store sized" breast are quite huge for a multiple meat menu. I do not know if I would want to cut throough a half breast to make it 2 portions becuase they would weep all their moisture out. I would speak to your sales rep. and see if they are able to get appropriately sized chix breasts for you, or look to other distributors for them. Worst case scenario, you may need to deal with a lead time to get an item that is not normally carried by them. I have had a few special order items through Sysco, and they eneded up carrying them becuase other places wanted those items too after the sales person let them know about the product.
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Jerk Pit Master · Posted: Mon Jun 22 09 10:24 am Post subject:

I use whole split breast and usually cut in 2, even for chicken only meals. For chicken only the serving size is 1 breast, but I still cut in 2.

Fortunately, I haven't had a problem with them drying out, and do let them rest a while before cutting.

I've tried the smaller split breats from restaurant depot and have found them to be less desirable. Even though they are the perfect serving size, they have a much higher bone to meat ratio (skinny breasts). Good option for whole breast vending though.