Forget Turkey – Eat More Chicken This Holiday Season!

The holidays are fast approaching, which typically means it’s time to thaw the turkey and prepare for a big family feast However, this year why not break tradition and opt for chicken instead? Chicken offers some great benefits over turkey and can allow you to get creative with your holiday menus

In this article, I’ll explain all the reasons why you should choose delicious, versatile chicken over boring butterball turkey this holiday season. I’ll also share some creative ideas for preparing chicken that will wow your family and guests.

Benefits of Chicken Over Turkey

Here’s a quick look at why chicken is a smarter choice than turkey for your holiday meals

• More affordable – Good quality whole chickens cost significantly less per pound than turkey. This saves you money on your holiday meal budgets.

• Faster cooking times – Whole chickens and bone-in chicken pieces take much less time to cook than a turkey. A turkey needs extended roasting while chicken cooks more quickly.

• More versatile – Chicken can be prepared in endless ways beyond roasting whole. Try braised chicken thighs, fried chicken, chicken pot pie, and more!

• Leaner meat – Chicken breast is one of the leanest meats available. Turkey is fattier, especially the dark meat.

• Easier to prepare – There’s no massive turkey to thaw, prep, roast, and carve. Chicken is easier to handle.

• More appropriate portions – Avoid lots of leftover turkey. Chicken portions are right-sized for your holiday gathering.

Clearly chicken is the better, more versatile option for holiday meals. Now let’s look at creative ways to prepare it.

Delicious Ways to Cook Chicken for the Holidays

With chicken, you’re no longer limited to roasting or frying a whole bird. Here are unique preparation ideas your guests will love:

• Chicken tagine with apricots and chickpeas – A flavorful Moroccan braise with warm spices and dried fruits.

• Nashville hot chicken – Crispy fried chicken tossed in spicy hot sauce and served over buttermilk biscuits.

• ** Chicken cordon bleu** – Chicken breasts stuffed with ham and swiss, breaded and baked.

• Chicken tamale pie – Shredded chicken layered with tamales, beans, salsa, and cheese.

• Coq au vin – Chicken braised in red wine sauce with mushrooms, onions, and bacon.

• Chicken tikka masala – Chicken in a creamy, lightly spiced Indian curry sauce.

• Chicken pot pie – Comforting dish of chicken, vegetables, and creamy sauce topped with pie crust.

• Thai red curry chicken – Fragrant red curry and coconut milk sauce over sautéed chicken and veggies.

The possibilities are endless for preparing chicken in inspiring new ways! Plus, chicken tends to soak up flavors very well, so spices and sauces get fully absorbed.