How to Choose the Best
Most parts of the chicken can be eaten, including the breast, thighs, wings and drumsticks. Cooked chicken is sold whole, in parts, sliced or in strips. When selecting chicken products, it is most important to know what the recipe calls for. Look for chicken with smooth, creamy skin and no visible tears or bruises. There should be little or no liquid present, and the chicken product should smell clean and fresh with no rancid aroma.
Shelf Life and Storage
Store raw chicken in the refrigerator for up to five days. Cooked chicken products, including deli meats, should be consumed within seven days of cooking or purchase. When in doubt, refer to the expiration date printed on packaged products.
Freeze any chicken that cannot be used immediately for up to three months. Thaw frozen poultry in the refrigerator overnight to safely defrost it.
Preparation Suggestions
Chicken is one of the most widely consumed meats in the world. Its mild flavor lends itself well to many culinary uses, and preparations vary between cuisines and cultures. Stuff fresh herbs, halved lemons and heads of garlic into the cavity for a more flavorful roasted chicken. Chicken legs and thighs are better suited for soups, stews and other recipes with long cooking times because, unlike breast meat, they remain moist and tender. Reserve the leftover carcass and bones from a roasted chicken to make homemade stock which can be frozen until needed for later use. Experiment with different marinades and spices to impart additional flavor.
Substitute chicken with turkey or other lean poultry products. This could include quail, Cornish game hens, duck or goose depending on the recipe.
Chickens were domesticated 5,000 years ago in Southeast Asia and India. From there, the use of chickens for both meat and eggs spread to Europe. Today, it is estimated that there are more chickens in the world than any other bird.
Chicken is a lean protein that is low in fat, cholesterol and calories. It is a great source of selenium, niacin, phosphorus and vitamin B.
SAVE TO FAVORITES
EMAIL TO A FRIEND
PRINT THIS RECIPE
