A trip to the grocery store can be confusing, especially once you get to the butcher counter. What is best chicken to buy—organic, air chilled, free-range or something totally different? Show
I’m sure I’m not alone in my quest to make healthier choices. I’ve started buying organic produce whenever possible (especially those on the “dirty dozen” list) and choosing sustainable meats. They may be more expensive, but you can keep dinner affordable by bulking up the vegetable and starch portions of the plate. The biggest problem I’ve encountered while making these changes is that feeling of decision paralysis. As soon as I see all those chicken labels, I freeze up. I mean, when you’re confronted with so many options—organic, antibiotic- or hormone-free, air-chilled, natural—how are you supposed to know the best chicken to buy? The Most Common Terms, DefinedIt turns out some of these terms do indicate a level of quality, but many of them are throw-away marketing terms. Let’s break them down to help you pick the best option for making a perfect roast chicken. OrganicIf you want to keep things simple, buy organic chicken. These birds are fed USDA-certified organic feed, so they’re free of any pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, additives or animal by-products. They also meet the “free-range” criteria—meaning they have access to the outdoors. What this label doesn’t tell you is anything about the welfare standards and living conditions of the chicken. If you have the opportunity to meet your farmer, that’s always best. Air-ChilledIt’s all about air-chilled chicken! After processing a chicken, you have to cool it down as quickly as possible. Some facilities dunk their birds into cold water, which is effective but can water-log and dilute the poultry’s flavor. Air-chilled chicken is cooled using cold air, reducing the chicken’s temperature without introducing any extra water. These chickens are especially tasty for making smoky grilled chicken, as smoke adheres better to dry chicken skin. Antibiotic- or Hormone-FreeAntibiotics are great when you’re sick, but you wouldn’t want to take them to kill bacteria and ward off disease. It’s the same for animals: Using them on healthy animals can contribute to antibiotic resistance. Buying antibiotic-free chickens is a great way to guarantee that farmers aren’t using the pills as a magic disease-prevention method. While antibiotic-free labels do tell us something, hormone-free labeling is all about marketing. The USDA prohibits the use of hormones in all poultry, so hormone-free applies to every chicken! Putting the label on the chicken doesn’t exactly set any one type of bird apart. NaturalHere’s another one that doesn’t mean too much, but it’s one of the most widely-used terms when it comes to commercial poultry. It doesn’t distinguish any specific living conditions, treatment of the animals nor quality (or type) of feed. All it specifies is that no additives or preservatives were introduced after processing. Funny enough, sodium solutions and broths can still be added to plump-up “natural” chickens, so take a close look at the ingredients label if you’re buying one of these chickens. Free-RangeThis one is a USDA-regulated term, but it only means the chickens are granted access to the outdoors. It doesn’t guarantee they’re pasture-raised or that they’re allowed to roam free—just because there is a door in the coop doesn’t mean they’ll actually use it! In the end, this term doesn’t tell us too much about the life of the chicken. Farm-RaisedThis term means even less than “natural.” It’s an unregulated label, so anyone can slap it on their chicken at any time. Don’t trust this one unless you actually know your farmer. Pasture-RaisedWhile pasture-raised is an unregulated term, it does tell us a lot about the life of the chicken. Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) defines pasture-raised as chickens who live outdoors year-round with access to housing to go inside at night. They must also have 2.5 acres of roaming ground per 1,000 birds. Knowing your farmer is the best way to guarantee that they’re actually following the practices defined here. Certified Humane Raised and HandledThis is one of the few labels that defines living conditions and welfare standards for raising chickens. Certified Humane birds meet precise standards for humane treatment of animals including access to nutritious feed, engaging in natural behaviors, housing design and considerate processing practices. If you buy a bird with this label, you can be pretty sure it lived a happy life. The Bottom LineAt the end of the day, the most important thing to look for on the label is the word “enhanced.” If the packaging contains this word, or you see anything on the ingredients label other than chicken or water, put it back and make another choice. These chickens are injected with a sodium solution or chicken broth to plump them up. You’re not only adding unnecessary salts to your diet, but you’re also paying for water weight! If you can afford Certified Humane chickens, that’s probably your best bet. Otherwise, look for organic, air-chilled chickens for the tastiest option. If you’re hesitant about purchasing raw chicken, rotisserie chicken recipes can be made with chicken that’s already cooked. Use Your Bird to One of the Year's Most Popular Chicken Recipes 1 / 50 The Best Chicken & DumplingsHomemade chicken and dumplings from scratch harken back to my childhood and chilly days when we devoured those cute little balls of dough swimming in hot, rich broth. It's one of those types of soup you'll want to eat again and again. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona Go to RecipeInstant Pot Sesame ChickenYour family will love the flavorful sauce in this Instant Pot sesame chicken. And you'll love how quick and easy it is for a weeknight dinner! If you serve gluten-free meals, use tamari instead of soy sauce. — Karen Kelly, Germantown, MarylandGo to Recipe The Ultimate Chicken Noodle SoupNo list of the best chicken recipes would be complete without this top-rated soup! My first Wisconsin winter was so cold, all I wanted to eat was homemade chicken noodle soup. Of all the chicken noodle soup recipes out there, this type of soup is my favorite and is in heavy rotation from November to April. It has many incredibly devoted fans.—Gina Nistico, Denver, ColoradoGo to Recipe Best Ever Fried Chicken WingsOne of the best chicken recipes ever has to be homemade hot wings. For game days, I shake up these saucy wings. When I run out, friends hover by the snack table until I bring out more. When they ask me how to fry chicken wings, they never believe it's so easy! —Nick Iverson, Denver, ColoradoGo to Recipe Chicken Parmesan Slider BakeSliders are the perfect finger food for any get-together, and this flavorful chicken Parmesan version won’t disappoint. —Nick Iverson, Denver, ColoradoGo to Recipe Pan-Roasted Chicken and VegetablesThis one-dish roast chicken with vegetables tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! This is one of the best chicken recipes I have and one of my favorite sheet pan meals. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, WisconsinGo to Recipe Flavorful Chicken FajitasThis chicken fajitas recipe is definitely on my weeknight dinner rotation. The marinated chicken in these popular wraps is mouthwatering. The fajitas go together in a snap and always get raves! —Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, KentuckyGo to Recipe Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken CasseroleThis delicious chicken and broccoli casserole recipe is a twist on chicken divan that came from an old boss. It’s quick, satisfying comfort food. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, IllinoisGo to Recipe Easy White Chicken ChiliChili is one of my best cold-weather strategies. This poultry version is one of the best chicken recipes in my recipe box. I use white beans for a twist on the regular bowl of red. It’s soothing comfort food. —Rachel Lewis, Danville, VirginiaGo to Recipe Za’atar ChickenIt's hard to find a dinner that both my husband and kids will enjoy—and even harder to find one that's fast and easy. This is one of the best chicken recipes that fits the bill for the whole family. No matter how much I make of this dish, every morsel is eaten. And while za'atar may sound rather unusual, you'll find that it has a similar taste to the oregano we all love. —Esther Erani, Brooklyn, New YorkGo to Recipe Creamy Spinach Chicken DinnerCleanup is a breeze with this creamy spinach chicken. To make things even easier, tear the spinach with your hands instead of cutting it. —Taste of Home Test KitchenGo to Recipe Crispy Fried ChickenIf you've wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. Always a picnic favorite, this deep fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, MontanaGo to Recipe Chicken Crouton CasseroleThis Chicken Crouton Casserole recipe has practically made my mom famous. When she takes it to get-togethers, it's loved by all who taste it. Whenever she serves it to family, the dish is empty by the end of the meal. —Beth Gramling, Warren, PennsylvaniaGo to Recipe Creamy Buffalo Chicken DipThis slightly spicy dip cleverly captures the flavor of Buffalo chicken wings. Using canned chicken eases preparation. —Allyson DiLascio, Saltsburg, PennsylvaniaGo to Recipe Creamy Chicken Rice SoupI came up with this creamy chicken rice soup recipe while making some adjustments to a favorite stovetop chicken casserole. We like this soup for lunch with a crisp roll and fresh fruit. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, ColoradoGo to Recipe Filipino Chicken AdoboMy mom always makes her saucy chicken adobo recipe when I come home to visit. I think it's even better the next day as leftovers —she says it's because of the vinegar. — Michael Moya, New York, New YorkGo to Recipe Lemon Chicken with OrzoHere's a dish that's light and summery but still filling. My kids love all the veggies...for real! If you like a lot of lemon, stir in an extra splash of lemon juice just before serving. —Shannon Humphrey, Hampton, VirginiaGo to Recipe Chicken Casserole with CrackersI never bring home leftovers whenever I take this creamy chicken casserole with Ritz crackers to a potluck. Its mild flavor has broad appeal. I especially like the way that the crumb topping adds a bit of crunch to each meaty serving. —Faye Hintz, Springfield, MissouriGo to Recipe Chicken Barley SoupNo question—this is my favorite barley soup! It's so filling that I serve it as a hearty main dish, and I have given the recipe to many of our friends and relatives. It simply tastes too good to keep to yourself! —Diana Costello, Marion, KansasGo to Recipe Creamy Chicken and PastaRich, flavorful and laced with wine, this creamy chicken pasta is a family favorite. No one ever guesses it’s so quick and easy! —Elaine Moser, Spokane, WashingtonGo to Recipe Firefighter’s Chicken SpaghettiI'm always in the kitchen making dishes for my family, neighbors or the local fire department to try. My husband is a firefighter in our town, and this chicken spaghetti recipe is a favorite there. —Krista Davis-Keith, New Castle, IndianaGo to Recipe Chicken Piccata with Lemon SauceOnce you've tried this tangy, yet delicate lemon chicken piccata, you won't hesitate to make it for company. Seasoned with parmesan and parsley, the chicken cooks up golden brown, then is drizzled with a light lemon sauce. —Susan Pursell, Fountain Valley, CaliforniaGo to Recipe Homemade Chicken BrothThe start of many of the best chicken recipes is a good broth. Make your own seasoned with herbs. Use it in soups, stews and other comfort food recipes. —Taste of Home Test KitchenGo to Recipe Favorite Chicken PotpieOne of the best chicken recipes you can make at home is a scratch-made chikcne potpie. This one is chock-full of chicken, potatoes, peas and corn, and makes two golden pies, so you can serve one at supper and save the other for a busy night. —Karen Johnson, Bakersfield, CaliforniaGo to Recipe Herbed Slow-Cooker ChickenI use my slow cooker to prepare these well-seasoned chicken breasts that cook up moist and tender. My daughter, who has two young sons to keep up with, shared this great recipe with me several years ago. I now rely on cooking chicken in a Crock Pot many days a week.—Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, LouisianaGo to Recipe Easy Chicken EnchiladasThis chicken enchiladas recipe is so quick and easy, and I always receive a ton of compliments. It quickly becomes a favorite of friends whenever I share the recipe. Modify the spiciness with the intensity of the salsa and the green chiles to suit your taste. —Kristi Black, Harrison Township, MichiganGo to Recipe Southern Fried Chicken StripsWhat's not to love with these crowd-pleasing golden fried chicken strips? A hint of garlic makes this fried chicken tenders recipe irresistible. —Genise Krause, Sturgeon Bay, WisconsinGo to Recipe Chicken Wild Rice SoupI'm originally from Minnesota, where wild rice grows in abundance and is very popular in recipes. This creamy chicken wild rice soup has been part of our Christmas Eve menu for years. To save time, I cook the chicken and wild rice and cut up the vegetables the day before. —Virginia Montmarquet, Riverside, CaliforniaGo to Recipe Chicken CasseroleThe original old family recipe for this chicken casserole called for the sauce to be made from scratch. Through the years, I developed this version that takes less time to prepare and still tastes great. It's an attractive main dish. —Ruth Van Dyke, Traverse City, MichiganGo to Recipe Air-Fryer Chicken ParmesanQuick, simple and oh-so-tasty, this air-fryer chicken Parmesan recipe is the perfect weeknight dish to have on hand. It's just as crispy as the classic, if not crispier! —Taste of Home Test KitchenGo to Recipe Grandmother’s Southern Chicken ‘n’ DumplingsWhen I was a child, my grandmother could feed our entire large family with a single chicken—and lots of dumplings in this Southern chicken and dumplings recipe. —Cathy Carroll, Bossier City, LouisianaGo to Recipe Sunshine ChickenThis recipe is great to serve for large groups because it can be easily doubled and takes little time or effort to prepare. Even my husband likes to make this chicken dish, and he usually hates to cook! —Karen Gardiner, Eutaw, AlabamaGo to Recipe Jezebel Chicken ThighsThis easy-to-prepare, sweet and spicy chicken dish is a quick favorite that we make throughout the year. Tender and moist, it's a filling dish for busy weeknights. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, LouisanaGo to Recipe Tasty Onion ChickenThe secret to this French onion chicken is the yummy, crunchy coating that keeps the meat juicy and tender. Round out your meal with green beans and buttermilk biscuits. —Jennifer Hoeft, Thorndale, TexasGo to Recipe Texan Ranch Chicken CasseroleEvery time I serve this creamy chicken ranch casserole, it gets rave reviews. The recipe was passed down to me and is so good! It's really easy to make, freezes well and has just a touch of heat. If your family likes more, add some jalapenos! —Kendra Doss, Smithville, MissouriGo to Recipe Creamy Chicken Gnocchi SoupI tasted a similar soup at Olive Garden and wanted to see if I could re-create it myself at home. Here's the delicious result! It's wonderful on a chilly evening. —Jaclynn Robinson, Shingletown, CaliforniaGo to Recipe Chicken Potpie CasseroleI always have leftover chicken broth on hand and use it for many things, including this comforting family favorite. You can bake your own biscuits as I do or buy them at the store. I like to bake extra biscuits to eat with butter and jam. —Liliane Jahnke, Cypress, TexasGo to Recipe White Bean Chicken ChiliMy sister shared this white bean chicken chili recipe with me. I usually double it and add one extra can of beans, then serve with cheddar biscuits or warmed tortillas. The jalapeno adds just enough heat to notice but not too much for my children. —Kristine Bowles, Albuquerque, New MexicoGo to Recipe Chicken & Cheese Noodle BakeThis is the recipe my daughters and I often make for new parents when they come home from the hospital. With its creamy spaghetti filling and melted cheese topping, this casserole holds a nice cut and comforts hungry tummies. —Fancheon Resler, Bluffton, IndianaGo to Recipe Contest-Winning Peanut Chicken Stir-FryHere’s a colorful and comforting peanut chicken stir-fry with just a touch of heat from crushed red pepper. If you want even more color, add frozen stir-fry veggies. —Lisa Erickson, Ripon, WisconsinGo to Recipe Breaded Ranch ChickenA crunchy coating of cornflakes and Parmesan cheese adds delectable flavor to this zesty ranch chicken. The golden, crispy chicken is a mainstay dish I can always count on. —Launa Shoemaker, Landrum, South CarolinaGo to Recipe Mexican Chicken BakeI've had this Mexican chicken bake recipe for 30 years. Since my kids, grandkids and guests of all ages request it often and it takes only about 30 minutes to make, I have it at least once every other month! —Linda Humphreys, Buchanan, MichiganGo to Recipe Air-Fryer Southern-Style ChickenI call this America’s best-loved air-fryer chicken recipe. The secret is in the herby, golden brown breading that makes the chicken super moist and flavorful. —Elaina Morgan, Rickman, TennesseeGo to Recipe Contest-Winning Chicken Wild Rice CasseroleWhile this special chicken and wild rice casserole is perfect for a company dinner, it's so good that I often make it for everyday family meals. We think it is very nice served with some crusty rolls or French bread. —Elizabeth Tokariuk, Lethbridge, AlbertaGo to Recipe Chunky Creamy Chicken SoupI am a stay-at-home mom who relies on my slow cooker for fast, nutritious meals with minimal cleanup and prep time. I knew this recipe was a hit when I didn't have any leftovers and my husband asked me to make it again. —Nancy Clow, Mallorytown, OntarioGo to Recipe Grilled Huli Huli ChickenI got this grilled chicken recipe from a friend while living in Hawaii. It sizzles with the flavors of brown sugar, ginger and soy sauce. Huli means "turn" in Hawaiian. This sweet and savory glaze is fantastic on pork chops, too. —Sharon Boling, San Diego, CaliforniaGo to Recipe Baked Lemon ChickenI found this baked lemon chicken recipe many years ago when my children were toddlers. I've changed it a little over the years to make it my own. Everyone in my family just loves it!Go to Recipe Homemade Chicken PotpieWhy look for potpie in the frozen food aisle when this easy version tastes much better? The chicken pot pie's crust is so tender and flaky, and underneath you'll find the ultimate comfort food for kids and adults. —Amy Briggs, Gove, KansasGo to Recipe Slow Cooker Ranch ChickenThis is a fabulous slow-cooker ranch chicken recipe that we have passed around to all our friends, especially those who have young children. It's wonderful for a cold winter night or a hot summer day when you don't want to turn on the oven. Serve it as a weeknight family dinner or for a large group. —Sonya Stark, West Jordan, UtahGo to Recipe Comforting Chicken Noodle SoupA good friend made us this rich, comforting, creamy chicken noodle soup after the birth of our son. It was such a help to have dinner taken care of until I was back on my feet. This yummy dish is so simple to fix that now I give a pot of it (along with the recipe) to other new mothers. —Joanna Sargent, Sandy, UtahGo to Recipe Popular Videosⓘ Originally Published: April 19, 2019 Lindsay D. Mattison After years of working in professional kitchens, Lindsay traded her knives in for the pen. While she spends most of her time writing these days, she still exercises her culinary muscles on the regular, taking any opportunity to turn local, seasonal ingredients into beautiful meals for her family. What is the healthiest kind of chicken to buy?If you want to keep things simple, buy organic chicken. These birds are fed USDA-certified organic feed, so they're free of any pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, additives or animal by-products. They also meet the “free-range” criteria—meaning they have access to the outdoors.
Which chicken is the best to buy?Some good choices would be the Mediterranean breeds such as Andalusians, Leghorns, and Penedesencas. Their smallish, sleek bodies and large combs help them stay cool in extreme heat. Conversely, if you live in a cold climate, then a larger bodied chicken with a smaller comb will do better.
Is Perdue chicken good quality?However, Perdue is now widely heralded as leading the charge within the entire US poultry industry. The company is lauded for its best practices in humane chicken farming. From egg to pullet to the chicken we buy from Perdue, the company can now tell you exactly how that chicken was raised humanely.
What is the best brand of chicken breast?The Best-Tasting Chicken Brands. Just BARE Gold'N Plump. ... . Gold'N Plump. ... . Kirkland Fresh-Harvested (Costco) ... . Perdue Fit & Easy. ... . Bell & Evans. ... . Sanderson Farms. ... . Perdue Harvestland. ... . Bottom line: Not all chicken brands are created equal, and a more virtuous label does not always mean a better-tasting chicken.. |
What is the healthiest brand of chicken to buy
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