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Chicken Cuts Guide

written by

Kassi Glassman

posted on

March 21, 2022

From whole chickens to boneless skinless chicken breast, we proudly offer a wide range of chicken cuts. Use this Chicken Cuts Guide to know how each cut is packaged, how many it feeds and get recipe inspiration. 

Whole Chicken

A bone-in and skin-on whole bird with neck and giblets removed

Package size: 3.5-5.5 lb

How many does it feed?: 1-2 meals for a family of 4

Recommended preparation & recipe inspiration:

Oven roast it whole - Perfect Roast Chicken Recipe by Ina Garten on Food Network

Spatchcock and grill or smoke- How to Spatchcock a Chicken by A Spicy Perspective

Slow cook & shred - Slow Cooker Whole Chicken by Dinner at the Zoo

Kassi's take:

Whole chickens are a great choice for big families. Home cooks who need low-input or prep recipes will like the slow cook & shred method to yield pre-cooked chicken ready to add into recipes throughout the week.

8 pc. Cut Up Chicken

A bone-in and skin-on whole bird cut into individual cuts, backbone removed

Package size: Contains 2 bone-in breasts, 2 thighs, 2 drumsticks, & 2 full wings. 3.5-5.5 lb total package weight

How many does it feed?: 1-2 meals for a family of 4

Recommended preparation & recipe inspiration:

Oven Baked Chicken - Oven-Fried Chicken by Betty Crocker

Fried Chicken - 7 Tips for Getting Fried Chicken Extra Crispy by The Kitchn

Kassi's take:

Our butcher has done the hard work for you, by breaking down the chicken. Perfect for homemade fried chicken or separate into 2-3 meals for a smaller household.

Chicken Breasts

Boneless & skinless white meat whole breasts

Package size: 2 Breasts per package. 1-2 lb total package weight

How many does it feed?: Depends on total package weight, one meal for family of 2-4

Recommended preparation & recipe inspiration:

How to Cook Moist & Tender Chicken Breast Every Time by The Kitchn

Baked Chicken Breast by Gimme Some Oven

Kassi's take:

Chicken breast is versatile and mild flavored but can easily dry out if overcooked. Larger package sizes will yield larger, thicken 16 oz chicken breasts that many customers prefer to butterfly or cut down. Smaller packages yield 8-10 oz chicken breasts which are sized better to eat whole.

Chicken Thighs

Bone-in & skin-on dark meat thighs

Package size: 4 Thighs per package. 1.5-2.5 lb total package weight

How many does it feed?: 1 meal for a family of 4

Recommended preparation & recipe inspiration:

Baked - Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs by Spend with Pennies

Grilled - Perfect Grilled Chicken Thighs by The Salty Marshmallow

Kassi's take:

Thighs offer the most robust flavor of any cut. The skin helps retain moisture and lends to extra juiciness making chicken thighs more forgiving to cook and less likely to dry out.

Chicken Drumsticks

Bone-in & skin-on dark meat legs

Package size: 4 drumsticks per package. 0.7-1.5 lb total package weight

How many does it feed?: One meal for a family of 2-3

Recommended preparation & recipe inspiration:

Bake - Crispy Skinned Baked Chicken Drumsticks by Healthy Recipes Blog

Air Fryer - Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks by Air Frying Foodie

Kassi's take:

Drumsticks are perfectly sized and portioned for kids and easy to eat on the bone. Dark meat stays juicy and will bake quicker than thighs, just season, bake and serve with a dipping sauce on the side.

Chicken Wings

Bone-in & skin-on whole wing sections including tip, not separated

Package size: 8 full wings per package. 2-3 lb total package weight

How many does it feed?: Appetizer for 4 or meal for 2.

Recommended preparation & recipe inspiration:

Air Fryer - Air Fryer Chicken Wings by Air Frying Foodie

Bake - Crispy Baked Chicken Wings by Tastes Better from Scratch

Kassi's take:

Keep in mind, these come as full wing sections but only need two cuts to separate. Read this about how to easily pull them apart into the drumette, wingette and tip. Keep the tips and use for chicken stock.

Unusual & Hard-to-find Chicken Products

With so much time and feed invested in every chicken raised on our farm, we don't waste any part of our chicken carcass at harvest. We also carry:

Chicken Liver (1 lb package)

Chicken Backs (2 bird back sections per package, total weight 2-4 lb)

Chicken Necks (1 lb package)

Chicken Feet (1 lb package)


Chicken

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