Chicken products go by many names depending on how they are prepared and what part of the chicken they come from. Here is a quick overview of some common chicken product names:
Whole Chicken
A whole chicken that is sold raw and uncut is simply referred to as a whole chicken or fryer chicken. These chickens weigh 3-5 lbs and are usually young chickens under 13 weeks old.
Chicken Breasts
The chicken breasts are the pectoral muscles of the chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are very popular for grilling and baking. Chicken breast with the bone still attached is called a bone-in chicken breast.
Chicken Thighs
The thighs are the upper segments of the chicken’s legs. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are available, but are not as widely used as boneless chicken breasts. Chicken thighs with the bone in and skin on are very flavorful and juicy, making them ideal for braising and roasting.
Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are often divided into three segments – the drumette, the flat, and the wing tip. Chicken wings can be prepared in many ways, but are most popularly fried or baked with sauce as chicken wings or Buffalo wings.
Chicken Legs
Along with the thigh, the leg is one of the darker meat portions of the chicken. Chicken legs are sold whole with both the thigh and drumstick intact. Chicken drumsticks are just the lower portion of the leg.
Chicken Tenders
Chicken tenders are slender, strip-like cuts that come from the underside of the chicken breast. They are very popular menu items at restaurants and cafes since they are all white meat and can be prepared in many different ways.
Ground Chicken
Ground chicken is made by taking chicken meat from various parts and trimming/skinning it before grinding or mincing it. Ground chicken can be used in place of ground beef or turkey in recipes.
Chicken Cutlets
Chicken cutlets are thin slices of chicken breast meat that are pounded flat to make them thinner. Chicken cutlets cook quickly, making them ideal for dishes like chicken Parmesan.
Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets are made from chopped and minced chicken meat that is breaded or battered and then cooked. Fast food restaurants usually shape them into bite-size pieces to be eaten by hand.
Chicken Patties
Formed, flattened patties made from ground or chopped chicken. Chicken patties can be breaded and fried or grilled and put on sandwiches and in salads.
Chicken Fingers
Chicken fingers are long, thin strips of chicken breast battered and fried or baked. Kids love to dip chicken fingers in sauces and condiments.
Chicken Cutlet
A chicken cutlet is thin, pounded out chicken breast. Chicken cutlets are an easy and quick protein to cook for dinner. The terms chicken cutlet and chicken cutlet are sometimes used interchangeably.
Chicken Fajitas
Chicken fajitas feature sliced chicken breast or thighs grilled with onions and bell peppers and served with warm tortillas. The chicken is sliced into strips to make it easy to assemble into fajita wraps.
Chicken Parmesan
Chicken Parmesan consists of breaded chicken cutlets that are fried and then topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese before being baked. It’s a chicken version of the classic Italian dish – Eggplant Parmesan.
Buffalo Wings
Buffalo wings are deep-fried chicken wings coated in buffalo sauce – a tangy, vinegar-based cayenne pepper hot sauce. They are served with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken pot pie is comfort food at its finest. This dish has chicken meat cooked with vegetables like peas, carrots, and corn in a creamy sauce. The filling is baked under a pie crust to make an easy, complete meal.
Chicken Soup
Homemade chicken soup is made by simmering chicken and vegetables in broth. The chicken imparts flavor and nutrients to the broth. Noodles or rice are often added too.
Chicken Salad
Chicken salad is made from chopped, cooked chicken combined with mayonnaise and any variety of mix-ins like celery, grapes, pecans, onion, and apple. It’s a versatile spread or salad.
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Chicken cordon bleu features chicken breast pounded thin and wrapped around ham and cheese before being breaded and baked or fried. The classic French dish combines chicken, ham, and melted cheese in one delicious bite.
Coq Au Vin
Coq au vin is a French braise made by simmering chicken in red wine, onions, mushrooms, and bacon. The wine sauce takes well to slow cooking for a dish with deep, rich flavor.
Chicken Marsala
Chicken marsala is an Italian chicken dish made by sautéing chicken cutlets and mushrooms in a Marsala wine sauce. The savory Marsala wine sauce goes beautifully with the chicken.
Chicken Piccata
Chicken piccata features chicken cutlets cooked with lemon, butter, parsley, and capers. It’s a bright, flavorful Italian chicken dish. The tangy sauce cuts through the richness of the butter.
Chicken Fried Steak
Despite the name, chicken fried steak is not chicken at all. It’s a thin beef steak that’s breaded and pan-fried like fried chicken. The dish was inspired by wiener schnitzel.
Chicken Fried Chicken
Chicken fried chicken takes thin chicken cutlets and pan-fries them the same way one would prepare chicken fried steak. So it’s chicken prepared like a chicken fried steak.
Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken and dumplings is ultimate comfort food. Fluffy dumpling dough is dropped into chicken broth along with cooked chicken to create a hearty, warming meal.
Chicken and Waffles
Chicken and waffles combine crispy fried chicken and sweet waffles served together as an unlikely but delicious pairing. It’s thought to have originated at African American-owned restaurants in the southern US.
Chicken Quesadilla
A chicken quesadilla is a flour tortilla stuffed with cooked chicken, cheese, and other fillings that’s grilled or pan-fried. Quesadillas make a fast, filling, and portable meal.
Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
Chicken Parmesan sandwich layers fried chicken cutlet, tomato sauce, and melted cheese between two buns or slices of bread. It brings all the flavors of chicken Parmesan in easy sandwich form.
Chicken Caesar Salad
Chicken Caesar salad is made up of greens, shredded Parmesan, croutons, and grilled chicken tossed in a creamy, garlicky Caesar dressing. It’s a fresh and filling chicken salad.
Chicken Tetrazzini
Chicken tetrazzini is a baked pasta casserole made with chicken, mushrooms, Parmesan, and a creamy sherry sauce. Noodles like spaghetti or linguine are used to soak up the tasty sauce.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken tortilla soup has shredded chicken breast, tomatoes, onions, chiles, and crunchy tortilla strips simmered in broth. Toppings like avocado, cheese, cilantro, and lime add even more flavor.
Chicken Alfredo
Chicken Alfredo starts with a creamy, garlicky Alfredo sauce. Tender pieces of grilled or sauteed chicken are tossed with the Alfredo sauce and pasta for a comforting and elegant dish.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken tikka masala is an Indian dish ofchicken marinated in yogurt and spices and then cooked in a creamy, lightly spiced tomato sauce. It’s colorful and full of complex flavors.
Chicken Kabobs
Chicken kabobs feature chicken chunks threaded onto skewers along with vegetables. They are grilled or broiled and served with rice or couscous.
Chicken Stir Fry
Chicken stir fries combine chicken with crisp, fresh vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, baby corn, snap peas, and beans. Everything is stir-fried in a wok or skillet.
Chicken Pakora
Chicken pakora are chicken pieces that are coated in a spiced chickpea flour batter and then deep fried. They make a crispy, flavorful Indian appetizer.
Chicken Tandoori
Chicken tandoori refers to chicken legs or thighs marinated in yogurt, spices, and lemon juice and then roasted at high heat in a tandoor clay oven. The chicken takes on a smoky, charred flavor.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are countless different chicken products, dishes and preparation methods. From whole roast chicken to chicken noodle soup to buffalo wings, chicken is an extremely versatile ingredient that takes well to many diverse flavors around the world. Hopefully this overview gives you an appreciation for the wide range of chicken options available!
Common Chicken Cuts Table
Chicken Cut | Description |
---|---|
Chicken Breast | White meat from the chest area. Can be bone-in or boneless. |
Chicken Thigh | Darker, fattier meat from upper leg. More flavor than breast meat. |
Chicken Drumstick | Lower leg portion. |
Chicken Wing | Typically cut into drumette, flat, and tip sections. |
Chicken Tender | Narrow strips from underside of breast. |
Chicken Cutlet | Thin, flattened cuts from the breast. |
Ground Chicken | Meat from any part that is finely minced. |
Frequently Used Chicken Terms
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Free-range | Chickens have outdoor access. |
Organic | Chickens are raised without antibiotics/hormones and fed an organic diet. |
Cage-free | Chickens raised indoors but without cages. |
Air chilled | Carcasses chilled by air rather than water immersion. |
Kosher | Prepared according to Jewish dietary laws. |
Halal | Prepared according to Islamic dietary laws. |
Pasture-raised | Chickens raised on pasture and fed grass/insects in addition to grain feed. |
Heritage | Rare, slow-growing breeds like Plymouth Rock. |
Grading Terms
Grade | Definition |
---|---|
A | Highest grade given to chicken with best texture and appearance. |
B | High-quality chicken but slightly less visually appealing than Grade A. |
C | Lower quality with more blemishes but still edible. |