The Ultimate Chicken Handbook
A complete guide to picking and cooking this dinner staple.
Picking a Chicken
With so many confusing claims―natural, organic, certified humane―it’s hard to sort out which one is right for you. Urvashi Rangan, Ph.D., a senior scientist and a policy analyst at the Consumers Union, in Yonkers, New York, decodes the package labels.Natural: No artificial ingredients were added during processing. The bird may have been fed antibiotics.
Organic: Raised without antibiotics, these chickens were given only organic feed (grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides), with no animal by-products.
Certified humane: The chickens’ living conditions were above federal standards. They were fed no animal by-products and no antibiotics, except when ill.
Free-range: Although the term implies that the bird roamed free to eat a varied diet (which adds to its flavor), this claim does not have to be verified. To be sure the bird had access to the outdoors, look for both “free-range” and “certified humane” labels.
Kosher: These chickens were raised and slaughtered following Jewish dietary rules. Because kosher processing involves hand salting, the meat is often saltier than others.
Next:
The Cuts
Most Popular Galleries
Hot Topic
“It’s 4:00 and you have no idea what to make for dinner. Or, it’s 6:00 and you’re raiding the freezer for something somewhat
healthy to serve your family. Sound familiar? Real Simple wants to help...”
More From
A Solution for the What-to-Make-for-Dinner Stress
Advertisement
What's Hot
What Causes Dark Circles Under Your Eyes?
If your dark circles aren’t quite this adorable, you don’t have to grin and bear it. Try these (en)lightening strategies to minimize them.

I have a major thing for blue mason jars. I use them for everything – drinking g...
from The Nest Blog - Home Décor, Cooking, Money, Health & Sex News & Advice » house & home
It's likely that the new H7N9 bird flu virus can spread through the air on a lim...
from FOXNews.com
Last week we brought you the first peek of this year's Kips Bay Decorator S...
from POPSUGAR Home
Ottolenghi is a lucky man.
Read more: Tastemakers , Ottolenghi ...
from Tastepartner on The Huffington Post
Former “L.A. Ink” reality TV star Kat Von D hopes to sell her Gothic...
from Home on Huffingtonpost
Most woodworking projects can be streamlined down to simply making a box. That'...
from Houzz










