How Is Chicken Bacon Made? A Step-by-Step Guide

For those looking for a leaner, lighter alternative to pork bacon, chicken bacon has become a popular option. But have you ever wondered how this tasty product makes the journey from poultry to plate?

In this guide we’ll walk through the step-by-step process of how chicken bacon is made from the ingredients and curing process to slicing, cooking, and packaging. You’ll gain insight into the production of this innovative bacon variety.

So let’s get cracking and explore how chicken transforms into everyone’s new favorite bacon!

Overview of Chicken Bacon

Before diving into production, let’s start with the basics. Chicken bacon is made from thin slices of chicken or turkey breast that are cured, smoked, and sliced to mimic traditional pork bacon

Benefits of chicken bacon include:

• 50-80% less fat and calories than pork bacon
• Lower sodium levels
• Provides protein with less saturated fat
• Can be a good pork or beef substitute

While it looks and cooks similar to regular bacon, the taste and texture is distinctly lighter and leaner. Yet it still delivers that smoky, savory flavor bacon fans crave.

Ingredients in Chicken Bacon

Chicken bacon starts with two main ingredients:

• Chicken or turkey breast meat – Thinly sliced raw chicken or turkey breast provides the base. Chicken is more commonly used than turkey.

• It is a mix of salts, sugars, and sodium nitrate or nitrite that is brushed on or injected into the meat to cure it.

Some additional ingredients can include:

• Natural smoke flavoring – Often added to mimic smoky taste of traditional bacon.

• Brown sugar or maple syrup – For additional sweetness and caramelized flavor.

• Spices and herbs – Like garlic, paprika, thyme etc to add flavor.

Now let’s see how these ingredients are transformed into the chicken bacon we know and love.

The Chicken Bacon Production Process Step-By-Step

1. Preparing the Raw Chicken

The process starts with raw, boneless chicken breasts. They are trimmed of excess fat, skin and connective tissues. This creates lean, uniform cuts ideal for bacon processing.

2. Slicing the Chicken Breast

The chicken breasts are sliced lengthwise into thinner cutlets, usually around 1/4 inch thick. This thinness allows for faster curing and cooking.

3. Curing the Sliced Chicken

Curing is key to giving chicken bacon its signature flavor, color and preservation. The sliced chicken is either submerged in a curing liquid or directly injected with a curing solution.

Common curing methods include:

• Wet curing – Meat soaked in a salty, sugary liquid solution.
• Dry curing – Rubbing dry cure mix directly on the meat.
• Injecting – Cure solution injected directly into the meat with needles.

The curing mixture contains sodium nitrite or nitrate, salt, sugar, and spices.

4. Optional Smoking

Many chicken bacons are smoked after curing to add flavor. Cold smoking slowly infuses smoky aromas without actually cooking the meat. Wood chips from hickory, apple, pecan, or other woods provide the signature smoke.

5. Slicing and Cutting the Chicken

Once cured and smoked, the chicken bacon ‘slabs’ are ready to be sliced. They are trimmed to standard widths then thinly sliced crosswise into the familiar bacon strip shapes.

6. Packaging the Chicken Bacon

The sliced and portioned chicken bacon pieces are packaged for wholesale or retail sale. Vacuum sealing or simple plastic pouches help preserve freshness. For retail packs, the bacon is arranged attractively on trays with a transparent film overwrap.

7. Cooking and Serving

From the package to pan, chicken bacon is ready for quick cooking and serving. Most brands can be prepared just like pork bacon in skillets, ovens or microwaves. Then enjoy your leaner, healthier bacon!

And there you have an overview of how those lean, tasty chicken bacon slices make the transformation from raw poultry to packaged product.

How Does Chicken Bacon Taste Compared to Pork?

The flavor of chicken bacon is noticeably leaner and lighter than pork bacon. But it still delivers a pleasant smoky, salty taste.

Some key flavor differences:

• Less rich, fatty mouthfeel than pork
• Leaner flavor since chicken has less fat
• Milder overall flavor than robust pork bacon
• Smoky flavors are dominant since chicken itself is blander
• Cured chicken has a ham-like flavor
• Any sweetness added is more pronounced

Of course, taste ultimately comes down to the brand, ingredients, and your personal bacon preferences. Those who try chicken bacon are often pleasantly surprised by the crispy, smoky taste despite the leanness.

Is Chicken Bacon Healthier Than Pork?

Chicken bacon fits better into some diets and lifestyles thanks to its lean nutritional stats. Compared to pork bacon, chicken bacon tends to be:

• Lower in fat, saturated fat, and calories
• Higher in protein for less calories
• Lower in sodium/salt (for some brands)
• Lower potential for carcinogens from cured meats (for some)

However, nutrition varies by brand. Check labels, as some chicken bacons add sugars, sodium, or preservatives. Going with low-sodium, additive-free options maximizes the health factor.

For those limiting red meat or saturated fats for health reasons, chicken bacon can provide a tasty alternative to still enjoy the bacon flavor.

Tips for Cooking Chicken Bacon

Chicken bacon cooks up quicker than pork, so adjusting cook times prevents over-crisping or burning. Follow these tips:

• Use medium heat to avoid over-browning the lean chicken
• Cook for a shorter time than pork bacon, around 2-4 minutes per side
• Bake at 400°F for 10-18 minutes, depending on crispness desired
• Microwave for 1-2 minutes total time, checking frequently
• Blot grease while cooking to prevent overly oily taste
• Avoid overcooking, as it dries out the lean chicken

With its quick cooking time, chicken bacon makes weekday mornings easier. Adjusting heat and times unlocks the perfect crispness.

Discover the Tasty World of Chicken Bacon

Try brands with minimal additives and sodium for the healthiest option. Cook chicken bacon properly to avoid drying it out. Then enjoy the light smoky, salty flavor as a delicious leaner alternative to pork.

So embrace the tasty world of chicken bacon to add a healthy twist to your favorite dishes!