The meat that comes from a hen is most commonly referred to as chicken. Chicken meat accounts for about 90% of all poultry consumption in the United States.
What are the Different Types of Chicken Meat?
There are a few different categories of chicken meat:
- Whole chicken – this is an entire bird that has been butchered. It can be roasted or cut up for other uses.
- Chicken breast – this is the white meat from the breast of the chicken. It is lean and mild in flavor.
- Chicken thighs – the dark meat from the rear of the chicken. It is juicier and more flavorful.
- Chicken wings – the wings of the chicken, often divided into drumettes and flats. They are used for wings or other chicken wing dishes.
- Chicken legs – the full leg of the chicken including the thigh and drumstick.
Within these categories there are further distinctions based on the age of the bird:
- Broiler or fryer – a young chicken under 13 weeks old
- Roaster – a chicken between 3-5 months old
- Stewing or baking hen – a mature hen older than 10 months
- Capon – a castrated rooster
Younger chickens like broilers and fryers will have more tender meat while older chickens like a stewing hen will have more flavor in the meat but can be tougher.
What Cuts of Chicken Meat Are Most Popular?
In the United States, the most popular cuts of chicken meat are:
- Chicken breast – Lean, mild in flavor, and versatile. Often used for dishes like grilled chicken, chicken Parmesan, etc.
- Chicken thighs – More fat and flavor than breast meat. Good for roasting or braising.
- Chicken wings – Primarily used as an appetizer with sauces like Buffalo, BBQ, etc. Extremely popular.
- Chicken leg quarters – An economical option, usually separated into drumsticks and thighs.
- Ground chicken – Versatile for recipes like chicken burgers, meatballs, etc. Sometimes can be drier than ground beef.
Chicken breasts and boneless skinless thighs are popular for their convenience and versatility. Wings and leg quarters provide great flavor and value. Ground chicken provides a healthier alternative to ground beef.
How Much Chicken Does the Average American Consume?
According to the National Chicken Council, the average American consumes more than 90 pounds of chicken per year. This works out to be around 160+ servings a year based on serving sizes of chicken meat. Here is a breakdown of the annual chicken consumption per person in the United States:
| Type of Chicken | Pounds Consumed Per Capita |
|---|---|
| Chicken breast | 30.8 lbs |
| Wings | 8.4 lbs |
| Leg quarters | 14.7 lbs |
| Thighs | 12.1 lbs |
| Other chicken | 24.3 lbs |
| Total | 90.3 lbs |
As you can see chicken breast is by far the most popular cut, followed by leg quarters and wings. Thighs have been gaining popularity over recent years. The “other chicken” category includes things like ground chicken, shoulders, feet, etc.
How Does Chicken Compare to Other Meats in Popularity?
Chicken is by far the most widely consumed meat in the United States. Americans eat much more chicken compared to other meats:
- Chicken: 90.3 lbs per capita
- Beef: 57.2 lbs per capita
- Pork: 50.2 lbs per capita
- Turkey: 16.5 lbs per capita
As you can see, chicken consumption more than doubles the consumption of beef and pork. Turkey is a distant fourth. The reasons for chicken’s popularity include lower cost compared to beef, greater health perception than red meat, and the versatility of chicken in recipes and dishes.
What Are Some of the Most Popular Chicken Dishes?
Some of the most popular chicken dishes in the United States include:
- Fried chicken – Southern classic, breaded chicken fried in oil or other fat
- Grilled chicken – Versatile grilled chicken breasts, bone-in or boneless
- Chicken wings – Buffalo wings, barbecue, teriyaki, etc.
- Chicken parmesan – Breaded chicken breast topped with tomato sauce and cheese
- Chicken nuggets – Bite-size breaded chicken pieces, often served as an appetizer
- Chicken soup – Wide array of healthful and comforting chicken soups
- Chicken salad – Typically contains chopped chicken + mayo and other ingredients like celery
- Chicken tacos – Shredded chicken in Mexican-seasoned shell or tortilla
These represent some of the most beloved and ubiquitous chicken dishes in American cuisine. Other favorites include chicken pot pie, chicken Marsala, chicken fajitas, and more.
Conclusion
In summary, the meat derived from hens is called chicken, and it is the most popular meat consumed in the United States. People eat chicken more than twice as much as beef or pork annually. The favored cuts of chicken include the breast, wings, and leg quarters. Americans enjoy chicken prepared in diverse ways including fried chicken, wings, grilled chicken, chicken parmesan, chicken soup, salads, tacos, and more. Chicken is a versatile meat that will likely continue to be the most consumed meat for years to come.
