The chicken has been domesticated since at least 1400 BC, providing eggs and meat to the Chinese. The Polynesians introduced the bird to Chile in the 1300s, spreading the chicken to a completely new continent. Since then, the chicken has gone on to world domination as a food source. Easy to raise, they give us nutritious protein, and they are very versatile.

Just about every culture in the world has chicken recipes. China, Japan, Italy, England, France, and Mexico… the list goes on and on. This low cholesterol meat is mild flavored, relatively inexpensive, and can be fashioned in any number of imaginative ways into tasty, healthy meals.

What Kind of Chicken is found at the Market?

At the market, you can find whole chickens, cut up fryers, or portions like all thighs, all breasts, all wings, or all drumsticks. You can even find small tubs of chicken livers or gizzards if you like them. You can find chicken with the bone left in and boneless chicken. With all these choices, a home cook has many options for easy meals.

Whole chickens are less expensive than a package of all breasts. The less processing the meat packers do, the more savings you get. If you do not feel comfortable or do not have time to cut up a chicken yourself, you can always opt for one that has been cut up or deboned for you.

Lots of Variety

Whole chickens can be roasted, and used for soup afterwards. Cut up chicken can be fried, fricasseed, baked, or stewed. Boneless chicken can be added to one-pot meals, chicken pot pie, soups, pasta, sauts, stir-fries and almost anything else you can imagine. Crockpot chicken recipes are very popular, and can be cooked while you are away.

Chicken can be used in Italian dishes like chicken cacciatore, French dishes like coq au vin, or Indian dishes like a curry. Asian dishes like lemon chicken, drunken chicken, and others add a taste of the exotic to your everyday fare. Make chicken tacos or add it to a quesadilla. In addition, of course, each cuisine also has chicken soup varieties to try as well.

Another great thing about chicken that makes it so versatile is that you can choose either dark or white meat. They each have a different texture, and work well in so many different meals. Dark meat can take more cooking without drying than white meat can. It also soaks up sauces well. White meat is firmer and works well in chicken salad, on the grill or in sandwiches.

The chicken gives us quite a bit to be thankful for. Low in fat and cholesterol, it helps us stay healthy. It is easily digested, even when we are sick. It is suitable for just about any cuisine you may want to try. Chicken is the ultimate versatile food. Soup made with chicken has even been proven to help us get better when we are sick. The little chicken has given us quite a lot.