Grocery Trends are Changing, but Chicken is Still a Staple. Here’s Why.
It’s no surprise that our shopping habits have changed dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic began, but chicken still remains a staple in kitchens across America.
Not only are Americans buying and eating chicken more than ever, but they’re also talking (or tweeting) about chicken even more. According to Food and Wine, chicken was the most tweeted about food in the United States, making it the #1 “quarantine food” on social media. There are many reasons why people are keeping chicken on their shopping lists in the midst of COVID-19…
Chicken is Versatile Enough for Every Kitchen
With the New York Times reporting that people are condensing their grocery lists as a result of the changing supermarket landscape and busier aisles, chicken remains on grocery lists because it fits so many different dishes and budgets. Chicken offers convenience for people who want to get in and out of the grocery store fast. No matter what your taste buds are calling for or how picky your family members might be, chicken can pack that protein punch for your meals and is super easy to find at the store.
If you’re looking for some new and fresh ways to prep your chicken, check out our list of the best chicken recipes.
Chicken is Easy to Cook and Prepare
For anybody new to the kitchen, chicken is an easy place to start. Plus, those who are more experienced chefs can take a chicken dish and make it their own with all the delicious recipes that are available online.
If it’s your first time cooking chicken or you’re just looking to brush up on some knowledge, head over to our cooking safety tips for how to prepare your meal safely. Don’t forget to use a food thermometer to accurately determine that poultry has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F throughout!
Don’t have a food thermometer? They are available at nearly every grocery store and are super affordable.
Chicken from the Frozen Food Aisle offers Convenience
As college students have known for eons, frozen chicken can be a life saver when it comes to having your freezer stocked with protein-rich meals at times you don’t want to venture out to the store. Because people are taking less frequent trips to the grocery store, frozen chicken is surging in sales. According to the American Frozen Food Institute, sales of frozen food increased by 94% in March compared to the same time period in 2019. Now that’s COOL! 🥶
Afraid you might mess up thawing your poultry? Don’t be! We’ve got a guide right here.
Bonus: Chicken is what we already know and love!
Remember eating wings at your first football game or tailgate? Or maybe you are a chicken sandwich geek and have to try all them? Or maybe you love the latest spicy nuggs release? In these uncertain times, it is just nice to have a familiar meal and staple grocery item to come back to time after time.
And hey! Maybe you don’t want to cook yourself today! That won’t stop you from supporting local businesses in your area and ordering a delicious chicken meal. You probably deserve it!
In case you want even more reasons to choose chicken, like the fact that it is literally packed with protein and nutrients, check out our Why Choose Chicken guide. And don’t forget to tweet (or cluck) at us!