People are always asking what is the tastiest chicken breed but since the question is so subjective, there is really no correct answer for the whole world since every country boasts its own chicken breeds. In this article though, I will give you some idea of what really are the best-tasting chicken breeds not only from one country but from different countries, and why they are the best chicken meat.
Here are the 6 Tastiest Chicken Breeds
1. Philippine Native Chicken
Manny Pacquiao, one of the greatest boxers of all time is a big fan of chicken tinola – a Filipino dish. But a tinola is not perfect if the wrong chicken is used. Pacquiao said he gets his strength from eating native chicken tinola. The Philippine native chicken breeds are a group of local breeds that include but are not limited to Darag, Banaba, Bolinao, Bolinao, Joloanon, Paraoakan, and other local crossbreeds.
Although they need at least four months before they can be butchered, the uniqueness of the soup of native chicken is unparalleled. When it comes to meat chicken, the Philippine native chicken (Tagalog, Bisaya, etc) is the most expensive one as it is in high demand although most Filipinos have them in their backyards.
2. Beijing You/ Beijing Fatty
Beijing You is not a popular breed, especially in the West but this breed of chicken from China is one of the best-tasting chicken meat. The Beijing You chicken is an ancient breed that originated during the Qing Dynasty in Beijing. Known as -royal chickens‖, they are valued for their high-quality meat and eggs and are uniquely marked by a crest on the head, a beard under the lower jaw, and feathers on both shanks.
Beijing You’s meat is soft and easy to cook. It’ll only takes short time to soften the meat even if the chicken is old. You can find Beijing You chicken in the Philippines as there are some breeders, especially in Laguna and Batangas. I also grow Beijing You in my backyard here in Tanauan City, Batangas. Beijing Fatty is also considered as having the sweetest meat among other breeds.
3. Orpington
Whether it is buff or blue, Orpingtons are one of the best-tasting chicken meat. Not only that they are big, but Orpington meat is also soft and tender. There are many reasons why Americans love to raise Orpingtons, especially the buff. They are friendly and also provide lots of meat.
4. Bresse
The Bresse, with its bright blue feet, is regarded as the best-tasting meat chicken in the world by some people who haven’t tasted the Beijing You and the native Philippine chicken breeds. A Bresse reaches a mature weight of between five and seven pounds in about 20 weeks. While they do not produce a lot of meat per bird, that meat is very tender and flavorful.
5. Kabir
Kabir is not actually a breed but is a very popular broiler chicken from Cobb-Vantress and Hendrix Genetics. Developed as a colored broiler chicken, Kabir is the most popular colored chicken broiler in the Visayas. It is fast-growing, produces a large amount of meat, and is easy to raise. If fed organic, Kabir’s taste is closely similar to native chicken.
6. 45-day broiler / Cornish Cross (Cobb 500 broiler)
Although this chicken is developed for commercial production, the Cobb 500 can taste extremely delicious when fed with organic and slow its growth. Normally, a Cobb 500 broiler is harvested at around 35 to 38 days in commercial poultry farms but when you let it free-range and fed with non-commercial feeds, the taste will be on another level.
The taste of chicken meat varies depending on how it is raised, what food is given, and whether they are pastured or confined. Furthermore, the breed can also be a big factor. There are breeds that take time to mature and also there are commercial breeds that only take 1.5 months to reach the slaughter age. Some breeds like Rhode Island and Barred Rock take four months to reach their optimum meat value.
Knowing the above breeds, if your plan is to grow chicken for personal consumption, try these breeds.
Questions Related to Tastiest Chicken Breeds
What is the tastiest chicken breed outside the Philippines?
The Bresse — This bird, with its bright blue feet, is regarded as the best-tasting meat chicken in the world. A Bresse reaches a mature weight of between five and seven pounds in about 20 weeks.
What type of chicken is best for meat?
Cornish Cross chickens are the most popular choice among commercial chicken meat producers, with good reason. Bred specifically for meat production, Cornish Cross chickens grow faster and produce a tastier product than dual-purpose breeds.
What is the highest quality of chicken?
If you want to keep things simple, buy organic chicken. These birds are fed USDA-certified organic feed, so they’re free of any pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, additives, or animal by-products. They also meet the “free-range” criteria—meaning they have access to the outdoors.
What is the healthiest chicken to eat?
Out of all the chicken options at the grocery store, the healthiest option is fresh chicken breast. White meat (chicken breast) has slightly less cholesterol than dark meat (legs and wings). It is definitely lower in saturated fats. In general, poultry is a heart-healthy protein.
Which chicken meat is healthiest?
“A skinless chicken breast is the leanest cut of chicken. It is lower in calories than other cuts of chicken while still providing a high-protein option,” says Jackie Sharp Womble, MS, RDN, LD, EP-C.
Which chicken breed grows fastest?
The most popular of the meat chicken breeds for homesteaders is the Cornish Cross chicken. These chickens have the fastest growth rate out of any other breed. It’s possible for these birds to reach up to 12 lbs in 8 weeks.
See Also:
- Is Organic Chicken Worth Buying? Find Out!
- American Game Chicken: What You Need to Know
- Greenhouse Farming in the Philippines: What You Need to Know
- How to Raise and Care for a Pet Chicken
- Ancona Chicken Breed History and Characteristics