Chicken Meat

Overview

Process

Health Benefits

Nutrition

What is Chicken Meat?

Chicken meat is the flesh of chickens that is consumed as a source of protein worldwide. It is obtained from domesticated chickens, which are raised specifically for their meat and can be found in almost every culture's cuisine. Chicken meat is the most commonly consumed poultry meat globally, and it is a versatile ingredient that can be cooked in a variety of ways.

The texture and taste of chicken meat depend on various factors, such as the breed, age, and diet of the chicken, as well as the method of preparation. Typically, chicken meat is characterized by its mild, tender, and juicy texture. The meat is rich in protein and low in fat compared to other meats, making it a healthier alternative for those who prefer meat in their diet.

Chicken meat is widely used in a variety of dishes, such as soups, stews, salads, sandwiches, and stir-fries. It is also a popular choice for grilling, roasting, and frying. Chicken meat is not only a staple in many households, but it is also a widely consumed food item in the food industry. The meat is used to make various products, such as sausages, nuggets, and burgers, making it an essential ingredient in the food processing industry.

Chicken Meat Production in the World

The global production of Chicken Meat plays a significant role in agriculture and trade. As of 2023, United States is the top producer, contributing 19,901,890 tonnes, which accounts for 15.74% of the total global production. Brazil ranks second, producing 14,833,000 tonnes, representing 11.73% of the world's output. Other significant producers include China, Russia, and India, with production levels of 14,800,000, 5,339,500, and 5,019,410 tonnes, respectively. Nauru has the lowest production among the listed countries, contributing just 4 tonnes in 2023. In total, global production of Chicken Meat reached approximately 126,476,922 tonnes in 2023.

Top 10 Countries by Chicken Meat production 2023

Countries Ranked by Chicken Meat Production in 2023

Source:FAOSTAT
Last Updated: 23 Jan 2025

Rank	Country	Production (Tonnes)
1	United States	19,901,890
2	Brazil	14,833,000
3	China	14,800,000
4	Russia	5,339,500
5	India	5,019,410
6	Indonesia	4,444,253
7	Mexico	3,888,208
8	Japan	2,384,255
9	Turkiye	2,328,791
10	Argentina	2,287,016
11	Poland	2,284,950
12	Pakistan	2,160,000
13	Egypt	2,077,268
14	Iran	2,066,771
15	South Africa	1,860,000
16	United Kingdom	1,851,010
17	Thailand	1,844,651
18	Colombia	1,817,130
19	Peru	1,781,473
20	Malaysia	1,564,606
21	Vietnam	1,549,674
22	Philippines	1,511,896
23	Australia	1,431,791
24	Canada	1,415,926
25	Spain	1,392,770
26	Ukraine	1,266,300
27	Saudi Arabia	1,150,000
28	France	1,128,280
29	Germany	1,086,000
30	Italy	1,083,180
31	South Korea	923,000
32	Netherlands	849,620
33	Chile	691,424
34	Taiwan	650,000
35	Myanmar	620,000
36	Israel	581,312
37	Morocco	565,000
38	Ecuador	563,300
39	Bolivia	549,800
40	Romania	500,760
41	Belarus	480,000
42	Venezuela	477,627
43	Guatemala	468,800
44	Belgium	421,480
45	Algeria	421,271
46	Dominican Republic	391,322
47	Hungary	378,980
48	Kazakhstan	335,758
49	Nigeria	324,136
50	Portugal	322,970
51	Greece	271,690
52	Jordan	254,000
53	Honduras	241,391
54	Sri Lanka	236,110
55	Panama	235,707
56	Iraq	232,415
57	New Zealand	228,151
58	Bangladesh	226,909
59	Yemen	203,797
60	Nepal	200,658
61	Uzbekistan	170,184
62	Sweden	166,880
63	El Salvador	165,303
64	Nicaragua	163,310
65	Czech Republic	159,100
66	Denmark	159,030
67	Mozambique	152,784
68	Burkina Faso	152,711
69	Tunisia	151,408
70	Costa Rica	148,800
71	Ireland	148,740
72	Senegal	148,472
73	Jamaica	137,752
74	Azerbaijan	137,501
75	Finland	134,770
76	Libya	131,077
77	Austria	127,924
78	Serbia	126,506
79	Lebanon	121,707
80	Cote d'Ivoire	118,617
81	Cameroon	117,852
82	Switzerland	108,317
83	Norway	107,624
84	Syria	105,513
85	Malawi	102,278
86	Zimbabwe	97,774
87	Tanzania	96,916
88	Kenya	93,622
89	Uganda	92,231
90	Sudan	90,561
91	Bulgaria	90,540
92	Lithuania	83,040
93	Paraguay	75,692
94	Ghana	74,374
95	Uruguay	74,218
96	Bosnia and Herzegovina	70,620
97	Slovenia	69,660
98	Ethiopia	64,342
99	Guyana	62,528
100	Mali	61,468
101	Kuwait	61,000
102	Angola	60,236
103	Croatia	60,220
104	United Arab Emirates	60,000
105	Mauritius	59,200
106	Madagascar	54,966
107	South Sudan	52,506
108	Zambia	50,992
109	Trinidad and Tobago	50,141
110	Moldova	46,145
111	Singapore	44,986
112	Fiji	42,377
113	Lao PDR	41,202
114	Palestine	37,471
115	Latvia	37,060
116	Togo	33,079
117	Brunei Darussalam	29,033
118	Qatar	29,006
119	Afghanistan	28,796
120	Cyprus	27,680
121	Georgia	24,300
122	Cuba	24,000
123	Turkmenistan	23,720
124	Hong Kong	23,642
125	Estonia	22,900
126	Belize	22,053
127	Niger	20,385
128	Sierra Leone	19,808
129	Tajikistan	19,097
130	Puerto Rico	18,000
131	Cambodia	16,786
132	Albania	16,780
133	Barbados	14,998
134	Guinea	14,807
135	Liberia	14,759
136	Kyrgyzstan	13,900
137	Armenia	13,800
138	North Korea	12,393
139	Namibia	12,101
140	Rwanda	11,351
141	Democratic Republic of the Congo	10,000
142	Benin	9,675
143	Iceland	9,313
144	Suriname	9,241
145	Burundi	9,229
146	Haiti	8,904
147	Bahrain	8,789
148	Republic of the Congo	7,027
149	Oman	6,856
150	Papua New Guinea	6,820
151	Chad	6,538
152	Central African Republic	6,440
153	The Bahamas	6,004
154	Mauritania	4,911
155	Malta	4,740
156	Gabon	4,193
157	Somalia	4,049
158	Guinea-Bissau	3,249
159	Macao	3,184
160	Eswatini	2,823
161	North Macedonia	2,074
162	Montenegro	1,853
163	Botswana	1,475
164	St. Lucia	1,317
165	Bhutan	1,165
166	Eritrea	1,140
167	Seychelles	1,102
168	The Gambia	1,059
169	Kiribati	1,040
170	New Caledonia	969
171	Grenada	724
172	Timor-Leste	694
173	Comoros	577
174	Cabo Verde	557
175	French Polynesia	551
176	Sao Tome and Principe	541
177	Vanuatu	514
178	Lesotho	495
179	Dominica	373
180	Samoa	365
181	Solomon Islands	285
182	Tonga	268
183	Equatorial Guinea	262
184	St. Vincent and the Grenadines	198
185	Micronesia	161
186	Mongolia	160
187	Tuvalu	63
188	St. Kitts and Nevis	49
189	Cook Islands	45
190	Niue	26
191	Antigua and Barbuda	17
192	Tokelau	5
193	Nauru	4

Health Benefits of Chicken Meat

Chicken meat has numerous health benefits due to its nutritional composition. Here are some of the most notable health benefits of chicken meat:

High in protein: Chicken meat is an excellent source of high-quality protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscle tissue, as well as for maintaining healthy hair, skin, and nails.
Low in fat: Chicken meat is relatively low in fat compared to other meats, such as beef and pork. This makes it a good choice for those who are trying to manage their weight or reduce their overall fat intake.
Rich in vitamins and minerals: Chicken meat is a good source of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B6, vitamin B12, niacin, phosphorus, and selenium. These nutrients play important roles in maintaining overall health, such as promoting healthy nerve function, supporting the immune system, and building strong bones.
May reduce the risk of heart disease: Studies have shown that consuming chicken meat in moderation may help reduce the risk of heart disease. This is due to its low levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, which can contribute to the development of heart disease.
May improve bone health: Chicken meat is a good source of calcium and phosphorus, which are important for maintaining strong bones. Consuming chicken meat regularly may help reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis later in life.

Overall, chicken meat is a nutritious and healthy food choice that can provide numerous health benefits when consumed as part of a balanced diet.

Process of making Chicken Meat

The process of making chicken meat begins with raising chickens specifically for meat production. These chickens are typically bred to grow quickly and have a high meat-to-bone ratio. Once they have reached the appropriate age and size, the chickens are slaughtered and processed for meat.

To begin the processing of chicken meat, machines are typically employed to swiftly and effectively remove the feathers and internal organs. Once this step is completed, the chickens are washed and chilled to minimize the chance of bacterial growth.

After processing, the chickens are usually divided into different sections, such as breasts, wings, legs, and thighs, and then packaged for distribution. It is also possible for the meat to undergo additional processing, such as being ground into minced meat, made into sausages, or transformed into other products.

Government agencies must conduct inspections on chicken meat to ensure that it is fit for consumption before it is made available to consumers. This process involves testing for bacterial contamination and identifying other potential health hazards.

Nutritional Information of Chicken Meat

Here are the approximate nutritional values of chicken meat per 100 grams:

Calories: 165
Protein: 31 grams
Fat: 3.6 grams
Saturated Fat: 1 gram
Cholesterol: 85 milligrams
Sodium: 70 milligrams
Potassium: 316 milligrams

In addition to the macronutrients listed above, chicken meat is also a good source of several micronutrients, including vitamin B6, vitamin B12, niacin, phosphorus, and selenium. These nutrients play important roles in maintaining overall health and are essential for various bodily functions. It's important to note that the nutritional values of chicken meat can vary depending on the cut of meat and the method of preparation.

Types of Chicken Meat

Several types of chicken meat are commonly consumed around the world. Here are some of the most popular types:

Whole chicken: A whole chicken typically includes all parts of the chicken, such as the breast, legs, wings, and thighs. It can be roasted, grilled, or boiled and is often served as a main dish.
Chicken breast: The chicken breast is the leanest and most tender part of the chicken. It can be cooked in various ways, such as grilling, baking, or sautéing, and is often used in salads, sandwiches, and stir-fries.
Chicken legs: Chicken legs include both the drumstick and the thigh. They are rich in flavor and can be roasted, grilled, or fried. They are often used in stews and soups as well.
Chicken wings: A well-liked snack food often served at social events and gatherings are chicken wings, which can be prepared through grilling, frying, or baking, and are commonly accompanied by various sauces.
Ground chicken: Chicken meat can be ground to produce ground chicken, which can be used as a substitute for ground beef in a range of recipes. Ground chicken is commonly employed to make burgers, meatballs, and meatloaf.

These are merely a few instances of the various kinds of chicken meat accessible, each possessing a distinct flavor and texture, and can be cooked in numerous manners to produce an array of delectable dishes.

Uses of Chicken Meat

There are numerous uses for chicken meat in cooking and food preparation. Here are some of the most common uses:

Main dishes: Chicken meat is often used as the main protein in a variety of dishes, such as chicken curry, chicken fajitas, chicken stir-fry, and chicken parmesan.
Soups and stews: Chicken meat is a popular ingredient in soups and stews, such as chicken noodle soup, chicken and dumplings, and chicken chili.
Sandwiches and salads: Chicken meat can be used in a variety of sandwiches and salads, such as chicken salad sandwiches, chicken Caesar salad, and BBQ chicken sandwiches.
Appetizers: Chicken wings and chicken tenders are popular appetizers that are often served at parties and gatherings.
Broths and stocks: Chicken meat can be used to make homemade chicken broth or stock, which can be used as a base for soups, stews, and sauces.
Fast food: Chicken meat is a common ingredient in fast food items such as chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, and fried chicken.

These are just a few examples of the many uses of chicken meat. Chicken is a versatile protein that can be used in a wide variety of dishes, making it a popular choice for home cooks and professional chefs alike.