The Complete Guide to Farm-Raised Chicken: Every Cut Explained
posted on
July 28, 2026
The Complete Guide to Farm-Raised Chicken: Every Cut Explained
Whether you're feeding two people or a family of six, choosing the right chicken cut can make dinner easier. Some cuts are perfect for quick weeknight meals, while others shine on the grill, feed a crowd, or provide leftovers for days.
This guide explains every chicken product we raise on our Missouri family farm, how each cut is packaged, how many people it typically feeds, and my favorite ways to cook it. Whether you're shopping at our Farm Store near Springfield, Missouri, or ordering home delivery throughout southwest Missouri, I hope this guide helps you confidently choose the perfect chicken for your next meal.
Which Chicken Product Should You Buy?
| Product | Best For | Feeds | Best Cooking Methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Chicken | Sunday dinner, meal prep | 4–8 | Roast, Smoke, Slow Cook |
| Spatchcocked Whole Chicken | Faster roasting & grilling | 4–6 | Grill, Roast, Smoke |
| Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts | Lean meals | 2–4 | Skillet, Bake, Grill, Air Fry |
| Chicken Tenders | Quick family meals | 3–4 | Bake, Air Fry, Pan Fry |
| Bone-In Skin-On Chicken Thighs | Rich flavor | 4 | Bake, Grill |
| Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs | Weeknight dinners | 4 | Grill, Skillet |
| Chicken Drumsticks | Families with kids | 2–3 | Bake, Grill, Air Fry |
| Chicken Wing Flats | Appetizers | 2–4 | Air Fry, Smoke |
| Chicken Wing Drumettes | Finger foods | 2–4 | Bake, Grill, Air Fry |
| Ground Chicken | Tacos, burgers & meal prep | 4 | Skillet, Grill |
Whole Chicken
A bone-in, skin-on whole bird with the neck and giblets removed.
Package Size: 3.5–5.5 lb
Feeds: One to two meals for a family of four
Best For
- Sunday dinner
- Meal prep
- Homemade chicken broth
- Smoking
Recipe Inspiration
- Oven roasted whole chicken
- Slow cooked shredded chicken
- Homemade chicken soup
Kassi's Take
Whole chickens are one of the best values in our freezer. Roast one for dinner, then use the leftover meat throughout the week in soups, enchiladas, casseroles, wraps or chicken salad. Don't throw away the carcass—it makes incredible homemade chicken broth.
Spatchcocked Whole Chicken
A whole chicken with the backbone removed so it lays flat for faster, more even cooking.
Package Size: 3.5–5.5 lb
Feeds: One to two meals for a family of four
Best For
- Grilling
- Smoking
- Crispy skin
- Faster cooking
Recipe Inspiration
- Smoked spatchcock chicken
- Sheet Pan Herb roasted spatchcock chicken
- BBQ spatchcock chicken
Kassi's Take
This is one of my favorite ways to cook a whole chicken. Since our butcher has already removed the backbone, all you have to do is season it and cook. It cooks more evenly than a whole bird and develops wonderfully crispy skin.
🛒 Shop for Spatchcocked Whole Chickens
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
Lean white meat that's incredibly versatile.
Package Size: 2 breasts per package (1–2 lb)
Feeds: One meal for a family of 2–4
Best For
- Lean, high-protein meals
- Meal prep
- Quick weeknight dinners
- Grilling
Flavor
Chicken breast has a mild flavor that pairs well with almost any seasoning or sauce.
Recipe Inspiration
- Oven baked chicken breast
- Grilled chicken
- Chicken Caesar salad
- Stir fry
Kassi's Take
Chicken breast is our most popular cut—and for good reason. Larger packages often contain thick 16-ounce breasts that many customers butterfly before cooking. Smaller packages contain 8–10 ounce breasts that are perfect served whole.
Chicken Tenders
The tenderloin muscle from underneath the chicken breast.
Package Size: 1 lb
Feeds: One meal for a family of 3–4
Best For
- Homemade chicken strips
- Quick weeknight meals
- Meal prep
- Families with kids
Flavor
Tenderloins are naturally soft, mild and cook very quickly.
Recipe Inspiration
- Crispy baked chicken tenders
- Air fryer chicken tenders
- Honey mustard chicken strips
Kassi's Take
These are one of the quickest dinners in our freezer. Since they're already portioned into strips, there's no slicing required. Just season, cook and serve.
Bone-In Skin-On Chicken Thighs
Bone-in, skin-on dark meat thighs.
Package Size: 4 thighs per package (1.5–2.5 lb)
Feeds: One meal for a family of four
Best For
- Grilling
- Sheet pan dinners
- Beginner cooks
- Anyone who loves juicy chicken
Flavor
Rich chicken flavor with skin that crisps beautifully while helping the meat stay moist.
Recipe Inspiration
- Crispy baked chicken thighs
- BBQ chicken thighs
- Grilled chicken thighs
Kassi's Take
If you've struggled with dry chicken breasts, these are worth trying. They're incredibly forgiving and stay juicy even if you accidentally leave them cooking a little longer than planned.
🛒 Shop for Bone-in Chicken Thighs
Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Boneless, skinless dark meat that's quick to cook and packed with flavor.
Package Size: 4 thighs per package
Feeds: One meal for a family of four
Best For
- Busy weeknight dinners
- Stir fry
- Chicken tacos
- Kabobs
- Meal prep
Flavor
All the rich flavor of dark meat without having to eat around the bone.
Recipe Inspiration
- Honey garlic chicken
- Chicken fajitas
- Teriyaki chicken bowls
- Grilled chicken sandwiches
Kassi's Take
If you love chicken thighs but want the convenience of chicken breast, this is the cut for you. They cook quickly, stay tender and are difficult to overcook.
🛒 Shop for Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Chicken Drumsticks
Bone-in, skin-on chicken legs.
Package Size: 4 drumsticks per package (0.7–1.5 lb)
Feeds: One meal for a family of 2–3
Best For
- Families with young kids
- Budget-friendly meals
- Backyard grilling
- Air fryer dinners
Flavor
Juicy dark meat with lots of flavor.
Recipe Inspiration
- Crispy baked drumsticks
- Air fryer drumsticks
- BBQ drumsticks
Kassi's Take
Drumsticks are one of the easiest cuts to prepare and are perfectly portioned for little hands. Season them, bake or grill, and dinner is ready.
Chicken Wing Flats
The middle section of the chicken wing.
Package Size: 12 wing flats
Feeds: Appetizer for four or meal for two
Best For
- Buffalo wings
- Air fryer
- Smoking
- Game day
Flavor
Tender meat with crispy skin when cooked properly.
Recipe Inspiration
- Buffalo wing flats
- Garlic parmesan wings
- Smoked wings
Kassi's Take
Wing flats have a higher meat-to-bone ratio and crisp beautifully in the air fryer. They're a favorite among wing lovers.
Chicken Wing Drumettes
The meaty upper section of the chicken wing.
Package Size: 12 drumettes
Feeds: Appetizer for four or meal for two
Best For
- Kids
- Backyard cookouts
- Game day
- Grilling
Flavor
Meaty, juicy and easy to eat.
Recipe Inspiration
- BBQ drumettes
- Buffalo drumettes
- Air fryer drumettes
Kassi's Take
These are usually the first wings to disappear at our house. They're easy to eat, packed with flavor and perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce.
🛒 Shop for Chicken Wing Drumettes
Ground Chicken
Package Size: 1 lb
Best For
- Tacos
- Pasta sauces
- Lettuce wraps
- Chili
- Meatballs
Kassi's Take
If a recipe calls for ground beef or ground turkey, chances are ground chicken will work just as well. It's an easy swap for lighter weeknight meals. Excellent for families eating Whole 30
Chicken Sausage Products
Our chicken sausage products make it easy to put a flavorful, protein-packed meal on the table with minimal prep. They're a simple way to enjoy the convenience of chicken with bold flavors the whole family will love.
More Than Just the Popular Cuts
Because we value every chicken we raise, we also offer several specialty products that are difficult to find in most grocery stores.
Chicken Liver
Package Size: 1 lb
Rich in iron and nutrients, chicken liver is excellent sautéed with onions, made into pâté or added to stuffing. Loved by those eating a Carnivore diet.
Chicken Hearts
Package Size: 1 lb
Chicken hearts have a mild flavor and tender texture. Grill them on skewers, sauté them with garlic and butter or add them to soups and stews.
Chicken Skins
Package Size: 1 lb
Perfect for making crispy chicken cracklings for a Carnivore snack.
Chicken Backs & Bones
Package Size: Approximately 2–4 lb
One of the best bargains in the freezer for making rich homemade chicken stock or bone broth where you control the salt content. Make your own Alpha-Gal friendly chicken stock.
🛒 Shop for Chicken Backs & Bones
Chicken Necks
Package Size: 1 lb
Perfect for homemade broth and collagen-rich stock. Easy to use.
Chicken Feet
Package Size: 1 lb
Loaded with collagen, chicken feet create an exceptionally rich, silky homemade bone broth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a whole chicken and a spatchcocked chicken?
A spatchcocked chicken is simply a whole chicken with the backbone removed so it lays flat. It cooks faster, more evenly and develops crispier skin, making it an excellent choice for grilling or smoking.
What's the difference between chicken breasts and chicken tenders?
Chicken tenders come from a small muscle underneath the breast. They're naturally more tender, cook faster and are perfect for homemade chicken strips and quick weeknight meals.
What's the difference between bone-in and boneless chicken thighs?
Both come from the same part of the chicken and have the rich flavor dark meat is known for. Bone-in thighs stay extra juicy during cooking and are excellent for grilling or baking. Boneless skinless thighs cook faster and are ideal for quick weeknight meals.
Can I substitute ground chicken for ground beef?
Absolutely. Ground chicken works well in tacos, burgers, meatballs, pasta sauce, casseroles, lettuce wraps and many other recipes.
Which chicken product is best for meal prep?
Whole chickens, chicken breasts, chicken tenders and ground chicken are all excellent choices for meal prep because they can be cooked in batches and used in multiple meals throughout the week.
What's the difference between white meat and dark meat?
White meat comes from the breast and is leaner with a mild flavor. Dark meat comes from the legs and thighs and tends to be richer, juicier and more forgiving to cook.
Why is your chicken sold frozen?
Our chicken is vacuum packaged and frozen shortly after processing to lock in freshness, preserve quality and make it easy to keep locally raised chicken in your freezer whenever you need it.
Where can I buy Blue Silo chicken?
You can shop our farm-raised chicken online, visit our Farm Store near Springfield, Missouri, or order home delivery throughout much of southwest Missouri. Orders can be placed through our online store. Shop Now
Ready to Fill Your Freezer?
Whether you're looking for a whole chicken to roast, juicy chicken thighs for the grill, crispy wings for game day, ground chicken for tacos, or quick-cooking chicken tenders for busy weeknights, we're proud to offer a wide variety of chicken products raised on our Missouri family farm.
Shop our in-stock chicken cuts online or stop by the Farm Store. We'd love to help you find your family's new favorite cut.
Your farmer,
Kassi
