CHICKEN EVERYDAY, PROTEIN OK!

Chicken is an excellent source of protein which is an important nutrient that should ideally make up of 15% our daily calories. A 100 gram portion of roasted breast meat with skin has 197 calories, 30 grams of protein, 84 milligrams cholesterol and 7.8 grams fat (35% of total calories).

A diet with reduced fat and cholesterol is vital for maintaining good health. To cut down about half the fat from chicken, remove the skin before eating the meat. It makes a little difference in the fat content whether the skin is removed before or after cooking, but the meat is more moist and tender when cooking with the skin on. 

NEVER PARTIALLY COOK CHICKEN

Never brown or partially cook chicken and then return to the refrigerator and finish cooking later because any bacteria present would not be destroyed.

FREEZING CHICKEN

If chicken is being frozen for longer than a period of two months the chicken should be over wrapped with airtight heavy-duty foil, plastic wrap or freezer paper. Proper wrapping prevents freezer burn, which appears as grayish – brown leathery spots and is caused by air reaching the surface of the food. Cut freezer burned portions away either before or after cooking the chicken. Heavily freezer burned products may have to be discarded because they might be too dry or tasteless.

SAFELY DEFROST CHICKEN

Three safe ways to defrost chicken are:

1. in the refrigerator

2. in cold water

3. in the microwave

NEVER

Defrost chicken on the counter or in other locations. The safest way is to thaw slowly in the refrigerator. Boneless chicken breast will usually defrost overnight while whole chickens and bone in parts take 1 to 2 days. Once the raw chicken defrosts, it can be kept in the refrigerator an additional 1 to 2 days before cooking. This way , if the defrosted chicken is not used, it can safely be returned to the freezer for later use.

Chicken can be defrosted in cold water in its airtight packaging or in a leak-proof bag. Change the water every 30 mins to ensure it stays cold. A whole chicken usually takes 2 to 3 hours to defrost this way while boneless breasts will defrost in an hour or less. Chicken defrosted this way should be cooked before refreezing.

 Chicken defrosted by microwave should be cooked immediately after thawing as parts of the chicken becomes warm during the thawing process.

HANDLING FRESH CHICKEN

Our chickens are delivered in refrigerated trucks. This increases the shelf life of our products and prevents the growth of bacteria. Customers should make sure the chicken they purchase is cold to the touch. They should immediately place their purchased chicken in a refrigerator that maintains 40 degrees Fahrenheit and use within 1 to 2 days, or freeze at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. If kept frozen continuously, it will be safe indefinitely.