Many couples find it difficult to plan their wedding menus, and it’s easy to see why. You have to figure out the budget to spend on every guest, narrow down your food options all while being mindful of those with dietary restrictions. To make this process a little less stressful, consider hiring a professional caterer. You’ll also want to choose your protein wisely. One type of meat that’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser is chicken entrée.
It’s versatile, easy to prepare and cheaper compared to other cuts of meat. To help you get started on your menu, I have highlighted 8 chicken entrées that are sure to impress your guests. You’ll also find answers to common questions like:
- What kind of food do you serve at a wedding buffet?
- What is a good meat to serve at a wedding?
- Is chicken good for wedding?
What kind of food do you serve at a wedding buffet?
You can get as creative as you want with your wedding buffet. In most cases though, the norm is to include two choices of protein, a pasta dish, side dishes and a salad. The side dishes typically comprise a type of vegetable and potato.
What is a good meat to serve at a wedding?
You can serve pretty much any meat you prefer at your wedding. But before making this decision, it’s good to think about people’s preferences and the budget implications. The most popular choices of meat at weddings are either beef, chicken or fish. Here’s a quick breakdown of each:
- Beef – what I like about beef is that couples get to choose from a wide range of beef cuts, such as ribeye, T-bone, sirloin and tenderloin. The go-to cut for many is beef tenderloin. It’s luxurious, which makes your wedding menu look elegant.
- Chicken – chicken wins top marks for being a crowd-pleaser. I mean, who doesn’t love chicken? And when compared to certain cuts of beef, it can turn out to be more affordable.
- Fish – of the three types of meat, fish is probably the riskiest choice. Most people are particular about the types of fish they like and those they don’t. On the plus side, this meat is healthier and lighter. This means guests will still have room for a good chunk of the wedding dessert.
Is chicken good for wedding?
Yes, it is. If you’re looking for a type of meat that most people like, chicken is the safest choice.
Another factor that makes chicken ideal for weddings is its versatility. You can pair it with a variety of dishes to create an elegant buffet. Plus, it’s relatively more affordable than other meats.
Wedding Buffet Menus- What You Need to Know
A wedding buffet menu offers multiple advantages. For starters, each guest has the freedom to choose from a variety of food selections.
Serving buffet-style also requires less staff and presents an opportunity for guests to interact better. But to have a successful buffet menu, be sure to keep these points in mind:
Keep it light
You’re already offering an assortment of dishes. So the best thing is to offer light options. This way, your guests won’t feel so satiated that they won’t want dessert.
Stick to one plate
If you want your guests to enjoy food, then ensure you keep things simple.
One way to achieve this is the way you present your dishes. Ideally, the main entree should be able to fit in a single plate. This allows guests to move around with food with ease while minimizing the risk of dropping and breaking plates.
Position the cutlery and crockery strategically
Another thing you should be mindful of is where you place the plates and cutlery.
The plates should always be at the front for easy access. Meanwhile, cutlery should be placed at the very end or better yet, directly on the tables where guests will dine from.
Buffet-Style Wedding Reception Chicken Entrées
If you’ve decided to go with a chicken entree, here are a couple of ideas:
1. Marinated Santa Fe chicken
If you’re looking for an entrée that’s well-balanced, then Santa Fe marinated chicken fits the description.
It comprises chicken breast pieces, which are well-seasoned and then smothered in vegetables like diced tomatoes, sweet corn and extras like cheese and black beans.
2. Stuffed Boneless Breast Chicken
Breast chicken provides the perfect canvas for stuffing additional ingredients. You can take a healthy approach by stuffing it with an artichoke and spinach dip. Or make it more luxurious by stuffing it with bacon or cheese.
That said, do keep in mind that prepping a stuffed dish will require more work. So talk to your caterer ahead of time to determine if it fits in your budget.
3. Garlic and Herb Grilled Chicken
If you really want to impress your wedding guests, a grilled chicken entrée is the way to go. Plus, it doesn’t require as much work as the stuffed version.
What matters here is that you choose a good marinade for the chicken before grilling it. I like to use the classic combination of garlic, fresh herbs, Dijon mustard, and a bit of olive oil.
4. Citrus Marinated Chicken
Not a fan of fresh herbs? If you aren’t, a citrus marinated chicken makes for an equally-delectable entrée.
To get the best flavors, use a combination of citrus fruits for the marinade; preferably lime, lemon and orange. You can then add a dash of honey to balance out the acidity of the fruits.
5. Herb and Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast
Anytime there’s a buffet-style wedding menu, one of the most common chicken entrées is fried chicken.
Featuring a crispy skin on the outside and tender, succulent meat on the inside, it’s easy to see why this dish is a favorite. To take your fried chicken game up a notch, consider coating the chicken pieces in Parmesan herbed breading after dipping them in eggs.
6. Sweet and Sour Chicken
If you want to go with a classic dish, then the sweet and sour chicken dish is an excellent choice.
It’s also pretty easy to prepare, which means you might be able to save on labor cost. To prepare this dish, chicken pieces are dipped in batter, fried, and then tossed in a sweet and sour sauce.
7. Chicken Curry
Having an Asian-themed wedding? If you are, chicken curry is one of the best chicken recipes for your buffet menu.
This dish brims with flavor thanks to the plethora of spices that it’s prepared with. The best part is that it pairs well with other dishes; especially rice.
8. Sticky Chicken Skewers
Skewers are a popular option for buffet-style menus, and understandably so.
Featuring bite-sized chicken pieces, these skewers can be prepared in a large quantity at a go. And, they can be paired with other ingredients like vegetables or fruits. My favorite are these sticky chicken skewers, which are infused with coconut and mango.
Chicken for Wedding Reception
Planning to have chicken for your wedding reception? There are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind:
- Budget – as with other factors of your wedding, the first thing you should check is the budget. This way, you’ll know what chicken dishes to choose and which ones to avoid.
- Number of guests – the number of guests will also dictate the chicken entrée you pick. If you have a smaller guest list, then you choose a luxurious dish. But if you have a long list, you’ll probably have to pick a simpler chicken dish.
- Wedding theme – at the same time, consider your wedding theme. For instance, the buffet serving style fits perfectly into a rustic wedding theme.
Choosing a chicken entrée menu for your wedding is an excellent choice. Being such a versatile meat, you’ll have a pretty wide range of options to pick from.
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