Aware that in Spain we must limit the consumption of red meat, chicken becomes one of the best alternatives for the consumption of animal protein. It is an inexpensive meat that can be very tasty if it is seasoned or marinated in a convenient way.

Chicken gives a lot of play, as it can be the protagonist of both light diet dishes and succulent stews of those that need three hours of napping. It all depends on how and with what it is cooked.

Chicken, characteristics and nutritional values

We call chicken the young hen or rooster, which have to be slaughtered between 5 and 16 weeks of life, weighing between 1 and 3 kg. The chicken has a tender, white or slightly yellowish meat, this depends on the type of feed they receive, but is not an indication of the quality of it.

Depending on the rearing conditions of these birds, we can distinguish different types of chicken:

Farmyard chicken: reared extensively in factory farms. It fattens quickly with feed until it reaches a weight of approximately 1 kg. Its meat is whitish, paler than that of free-range chicken and less intense in flavor. Poultry chicken: is fed on grain, in semi-freedom and without medication. The time required for fattening is longer than that of industrially produced chicken, and can reach 3 kg. It is expensive and uncompetitive compared to factory-farmed chickens. Its meat, yellowish in color, is firmer than the previous variety, with less fat and a more intense flavor.

According to the Spanish Nutrition Foundation, “The main component of chicken meat is approximately 70% water. It is followed by proteins with high biological value, given its content in essential amino acids. Chicken can be considered a lean meat, especially when consumed without skin, where an important part of the fat resides.

The fat is mainly monounsaturated fat made up mainly of oleic acid, followed by saturated fat, represented mainly by palmitic acid. We also find a quantity of polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly in the form of linoleic acid, which varies depending on the poultry’s diet. Chicken meat differs from beef or pork in that its cholesterol content is higher, almost double.

With respect to micronutrients, chicken is a source of mineralssuch as phosphorus,
which contributes to the maintenance of bones and teeth in normal conditions.
The main vitamins present are from the B group, especially niacin and vitamin B6. A serving of chicken provides 73% and 97% respectively of the recommended intake of niacin for men and women aged 20 to 39 years who practice moderate physical activity.

Current nutritional recommendations advise the consumption of 3 servings a week of lean meats, alternating consumption between different types among which is the chicken”.

Consumption of chicken in Spain

In Spain, chicken has gone from being a holiday food in the post-war years to being one of the most consumed meats in the daily life of Spanish households.

It peaked in 2010, when consumption reached 14.58 kg per capita per year. In the last 10 years, with the increase in the number of vegan diet followers, this amount has decreased significantly to 12.5 kg.

Easy chicken recipes that are always a hit

Broiled whole in the oven, in pieces, in a casserole, or even in the microwave you can prepare a chicken dish that will be a treat for everyone at home.

The world’s lightest roast chicken recipe

Plumpy and fat-free, this skinless roast chicken that cooks in apple juice with nothing but added salt and pepper is perfect proof that you can eat healthy every day without giving up on enjoying tasty food.

Chicken and orange salad, easy and light recipe

Chicken breasts can be a bit tasteless, but that is not a drawback, on the contrary, it can be a great advantage that allows you to combine this meat with almost any other ingredient without fear of the result. As in this chicken salad with orange.

Chicken wings in spicy sauce

For those who like stronger flavors and recipes without many mysteries I propose these chicken wings in spicy sauce that are made in the oven and are a vice of the good ones. And you know, chicken wings have something that makes them addictive.

Fried chicken with habanero sauce and baked potatoes

Fried chicken is one of the most popular recipes in the world. There are thousands of recipes and all of them are delicious… although they should be enjoyed in moderation. Next time you have a treat, be sure to try fried chicken with habanero sauce.

Chicken causa limeña

If you have leftover roasted or cooked chicken and you don’t have time to prepare some croquettes with those leftovers, remember this recipe for causa limeña which is something similar to a chicken and avocado salad. It’s sure to be the perfect solution for your next day’s meal.

Chicken in pepitoria

Chicken in pepitoria is one of the great classics of Spanish recipes. One of those stews that resuscitate even in the less peaceful days of winter and that we should not let it disappear from our gastronomy.

Chicken in light curry with carrots

The opposite of the previous recipe, because in this recipe we seek to reduce fats and carbohydrates to the maximum. So if you’re looking to take care of yourself and love very powerful flavors, this simple chicken curry with carrots will become one of your favorite stews.

Baked stuffed chicken

That’s the great thing about chicken, we can use it for a diet dish like the one above, a stew like pepitoria or a whole Sunday roast like this baked stuffed chicken. If there’s any leftovers, don’t heat it, slice it thinly as if it were a cold meat and you’ll see how delicious it is.

KFC pizza

Craving pizza and not wanting to prepare the dough? Use a chicken breast as a base and make this KFC-style chicken-based pizza. If you have visitors, they’ll be blown away.

Thai noodles with chicken and poached egg

The miracle of loaves and fishes, a chicken fillet of 100 g with which a person would stay hungry, you put it together with the Vegetable Recipes you find in the fridge, some eggs and some noodles and in less than half an hour food ready to feed three people.

Microwave stuffed chicken breast

If we talk about easy, quick and low-fat chicken recipes, take note of this one, very easy to prepare in the microwave and perfect for everyday. This chicken breast stuffed with ham, cheese and peppers can be eaten either hot or cold, as it is delicious both ways.

Warm potato, chicken and pesto salad, quick recipe

Chicken leftovers are also very usable and not only to make mountains of croquettes. And just so you can see, look what a great warm salad we have prepared with some leftover cooked chicken breast and using only the microwave.

Broiled chicken without oven

Do you have to cook for yourself but you woke up with a craving for roast chicken but the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven to cook so little? The solution is very easy, this braised chicken casserole is prepared effortlessly and everyone at home likes it.

Rice with chicken and chorizo

That we get angry when Jamie Oliver adds chorizo does not mean that rice with chorizo, chistorra or similar is not tasty. In fact, rice with chicken and chorizo is delicious and if you haven’t tried it yet, you’re overdue.

Chicken with pineapple Chinese style

Do you love Chinese food but prefer to make it yourself at home? Pineapple chicken is one of the classics in restaurants that serve it at home, but you’re going to find that it scores big points when you make it yourself.

Chicken Breast Pibil in CrockPot, step-by-step recipe

16 pibil

From China to Mexico and with a CrockPot recipe for chicken pibil, one of those that we like so much in Cocinillas. Although the classic recipe is made with pork, it is also great with chicken breast.

Chicken ham with peppers

Or piparrada which is what they call in some places the result of stewing something over a sauce of onions and peppers. So, if you are looking for a delicious sauce to go with chicken, you can’t miss these chicken hams in piparrada, they are very easy and a real treat.

Chicken in apricot sauce

As I mentioned before, chicken meat, being somewhat tasteless, can be combined with many foods that you probably hadn’t even imagined. Citrus fruits go great with it, as this chicken in apricot sauce demonstrates, but the truth is that almost any fruit goes great with chicken and adds a lot of juiciness.

Chicken and strawberry sandwich

Another good example of how chicken and fruit are always a hit, both hot and cold.

Thai chicken with cashew nuts

Another chicken recipe for lovers of Asian flavors who will enjoy this delicious and simple chicken with cashew nuts whose recipe we brought directly from Thailand.

Chicken and orzo salad, recipe for Sunday leftovers

Another salad for leftovers, this time with pasta. It’s done in a moment, as long as it takes to cook the pasta, no more, and you’ll have a great chicken and orzo salad.

Japanese-style fried chicken

Ultra tender on the inside, super crispy on the outside and full of flavor, that’s how this Japanese-style fried chicken looks, whose recipe we have adapted so you can prepare at home with ingredients you can find without difficulty in your usual supermarket. Personally I like it better than the KFC batter, as it is crispier and lighter.

Chicken Tikka masala

I’ve said it a thousand times and I’ll say it again, I love Indian and Southeast Asian food, because there are a lot of stews with lots of Vegetable Recipes, little fat and lots of flavor thanks to the spices used. This chicken tikka masala is perfection.

Chicken Korma and Madras

Here’s another curry with its own name, although I cheated a bit and it’s actually a mix of two. Korma curry is one of the mildest of all, Madras is slightly spicy. Chicken pehuga, assorted Vegetable Recipes, sweet corn and a delicious touch of the spices that will surprise the most demanding palates is what this chicken curry recipe has that you can prepare even if your cooking skills are practically nil.

Chicken breast en papillote

One of the healthiest ways to cook in the oven is en papillote, plus the wrapping helps keep the meat from drying out during cooking. This is the technique we have used to prepare this chicken breast stuffed with bacon and cheese on a bed of Vegetable Recipes that will please the whole family.

Aubergines au gratin with chicken and goat cheese

Another of the easy chicken recipes and perfect to take advantage of leftovers when there is no time or desire to use them for other more elaborate preparations are these eggplants au gratin with chicken and goat cheese that allow us to cook a complete dish in the blink of an eye.

Chicken with mushrooms

One of the classic chicken combinations because it works so well. Mushrooms are pure umami, in fact they are the top umami within the vegetable kingdom, just the opposite of chicken, that’s why they marry so well. In this recipe, they are prepared with a sauce that could not be simpler. Write down the recipe for this chicken in mushroom sauce that will surprise you.

Chicken and spinach burgers

Green burgers are all the rage. These chicken and spinach burgers are perfect for a light dinner and for the kids to eat the spinach without knowing it, they are very easy to prepare and are surprisingly tasty.

Quick chicken tacos

A recipe and a great trick for when you feel like giving a Tex-Mex touch to your dinner by preparing some chicken tacos but you haven’t remembered to buy the tortillas. Much quicker and much more polished than making empanadillas.

Quinoa with chicken and Vegetable Recipes

Healthy, nutritious and delicious, this recipe for quinoa with chicken and Vegetable Recipes has everything you need to encourage you once and for all to give this ingredient a try.

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Joseph Bicknell

Born and raised in a chef house. I Completed my High school diploma in Culinary arts and would love to supervise other culinary professionals in the kitchen.