Ground chicken is a common ingredient in many meals, but is it really healthy? In this post, we will discuss whether or not ground chicken is healthy and if it’s worth using it in your recipes.
Is Ground Chicken Healthy?
Ground chicken is an excellent source of protein. It also contains essential amino acids and B vitamins. When it’s made from just the white meat, the fat content is negligible- and a 3-ounce serving contains just 120 calories.
About Ground Chicken
Ground chicken is just what it sounds like: chicken meat that’s been forced through a grinder to give it a softer texture.When ground, chicken usually resembles small tubes, unless it was done in a food processor. In that case, it will look more like a paste.If you’re concerned about the amount of fat in your chicken mixture, you can grind your own. The chicken you’ll buy at the store usually consists of a mixture of white and dark meat, although some products are made of white meat only.
Is Ground Chicken Healthy?
When compared to ground beef, ground chicken is certainly a healthier choice. Compared to ground beef, it\u2019s lower in fat and cholesterol while still being a great source of protein.
A3-ounce serving of ground chicken contains about 120 calories and 7 grams of fat. The same serving size offers up 15 grams of protein and 50 milligrams of sodium. Since it contains no carbohydrates, ground chicken can be a part of a Keto diet.
Ground chicken is a good source of protein, niacin, phosphorus, and vitamins B6 and B12. There are also trace amounts of essential amino acids included, making it a healthy protein source.
Ground Chicken vs. Chicken Breast
Ground chicken may not be a healthier choice than chicken breast if you buy the regular kind.Ground chicken typically includes a combination of white and dark meat, and often bits of skin, which means it has a higher fat content than regular chicken breast. It’s also saturated fat, which health-conscious diners try to avoid.If you’re selecting a product based on its fat content or lack thereof, chicken breast is the superior choice. However, it’s possible to find ground chicken that’s made up of breast meat only. Check the label if you’re not sure.Another alternative would be to purchase chicken breasts and grind them yourself. If you don’t have a meat grinder, you can use a regular food processor. The ground meat will have a slightly different texture, but you won’t notice it once it’s cooked.
Is Ground Chicken Easy to Digest?
Adding oil to ground chicken can cause digestive issues, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and digest it on its own.
How To Make Ground Chicken
In order to get the leanest ground chicken possible, you’ll need to decide how much white meat you’d like to include. The more white meat you include, the leaner the chicken will be, but it will also have a drier texture once it’s cooked.
If you want your makeup to look natural, aim for a 1:1 ratio of foundation to skin. If you want a more polished look, go for a 3:1 ratio. And if you want to add a little extra coverage, go for a 5:1 ratio.
Although some commercially prepared blends include chicken skin, we don’t recommend using skin-on cuts when making ground chicken at home. The skin doesn’t always cook down well, and it might clog up your grinder or food processor.
After freezing, cut the chicken into thin slices. Try to get them as even as possible, so they cook evenly.
Next, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken slices and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are nicely browned.
Once they are cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the skillet and set them aside.
Next, add the chicken broth, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper to the skillet and bring to a boil.
After cooking, use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken and set it aside.
Finally, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Cut the chicken into small pieces or strips. At this point, if you don’t mind a coarser texture, you can chop the meat finely using a knife. This won’t work for all recipes, but it’s fine for minced chicken salads such as larb gai.If you’re using a food processor to grind your chicken, the results will be more satisfactory if you’re using the meat in a sauce, rather than for things like meatballs and burgers. It’s not our preferred method, but it will work if you don’t have a meat grinder.Place the chicken cubes or strips in the food processor. You might have to work in batches, depending on how much meat you have and the size of your unit.Place the meat in a bowl and pulse it 5 to 6 times using a food processor, or until it is ground into a paste. Be careful not to overprocess it, or the chicken will turn to mush. You can remove larger chunks by hand and chop them using a knife if you have to.To use a meat grinder, select your grinding plate. If you’re planning on forming the meat into burgers or meatballs, use the coarse plate. For salads, sauces, and noodle dishes, use the medium grinding plate.After setting a bowl beneath the grinder, feed the chicken into the chute a handful at a time. Use the tool to push the meat through the grinder, but don’t force it through too quickly. Continue until all the chicken is ground.
Freezing homemade chicken products in one-pound batches can be a helpful way to store and use them in recipes.Form the chicken into flat squares before adding it to storage or freezer bags. This comes in especially handy when you’re freezing the meat, as the squares will be easy to stack.Keep ground chicken in the fridge for no longer than 2 days. If the chicken was already in the refrigerator for a couple of days before you ground it, you’ll want to either cook or freeze it right away.To store the packages of ground chicken in the freezer, label them with the date and contents. Make sure your freezer temperature is set below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. You should thaw and cook the ground chicken within 3 months for optimum flavor and texture.
If you’re looking for a substitue for ground beef in just about any recipe that calls for it, ground chicken is a great option. The flavor and texture will be slightly different, but that can be a good thing.If you’re looking to get creative with your Thanksgiving feast, try using recipes and ingredients that work well with chicken’s milder flavor. Include minced sundried tomatoes and Kalamata olives to the ground meat to make Greek-inspired turkey burgers.You can use ground chicken as a pizza topping, a taco filling, or in a sauce for chicken lasagna. Chicken chili makes for an excellent game-day meal, especially when topped with shredded Jack cheese. The possibilities are both numerous and exciting.
Ground chicken is healthier than most ground meat products. If you’re worried about fat content, you can create your own ground chicken using only the breasts, which will boost the product’s health benefits even more.Looking forward to grilling!
Hi there! I’m Astrid Ogley, a passionate foodie and avid cook. With a love for all types of cuisine, from classic comfort food to exotic international dishes, I’m always looking to expand my culinary horizons. Through this blog, I share my tips and inspiration for cooking delicious meals and exploring new flavors.
