Ms. B. shared that last weekend, she butchered a chicken with a large chunk of fat. Seeing this, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. As she was about to throw it away, her mother-in-law quickly stopped her. The mother-in-law said that this was a rare find and that it was a lucky chance to come across a chicken with such a large amount of fat.
Noticing her daughter-in-law’s confused expression, Ms. B.’s mother-in-law explained in detail that chickens with thicker layers of fat are usually tastier than those without.
What is this fat?
According to culinary experts, chickens with thicker layers of fat are typically free-range and, therefore, tend to be more flavorful than their counterparts.
Most of these chickens are hens raised for egg-laying purposes. When the hens stop laying eggs, the nutrients are reabsorbed and converted into fat. Alternatively, they could be chickens that have been raised for five to six months or longer. The older the chicken, the more fat it tends to have.
This explains why some chickens have significantly larger fat deposits than others, as observed by Ms. B.
Additionally, the presence of this fat is directly related to the chicken’s diet. Observation suggests that only chickens fed corn or grain develop thick, yellow fat. Chickens fed with pellets do not exhibit this characteristic.
It is worth noting that the amount of fat in a chicken’s belly correlates with the color of its skin. The yellower the skin, the thicker the fat.
Given these reasons, the fat found in the chicken’s belly, as seen by Ms. B., can indeed be consumed. And just as her mother-in-law said, it was indeed a lucky find to come across such a delicious chicken.
Is Chicken Fat Edible?
Chicken fat contains a high amount of calories. Approximately 891 calories are present in 100g of chicken fat. This is why many people are hesitant to consume this part of the chicken.
However, experts suggest that chicken fat is a nutritional powerhouse, providing significant amounts of protein, vitamins, and calcium to the body. Therefore, instead of discarding it, consider utilizing it for your well-being.
Here are three ways to prepare and use chicken fat:
Method 1:
– Clean the chicken fat, pat it dry, and place it in a pan for frying.
– Turn on the stove and heat the fat until it liquefies.
– Add a few slices of ginger and scallions to enhance the aroma of the chicken fat.
Note: Adjust the temperature accordingly to prevent the fat from burning and turning bitter.
Method 2:
– Place the fat in a pot, add cold water, and bring it to a boil.
– Continue heating until the fat is completely rendered and the water has evaporated.
This method results in chicken fat with a milder taste and less potent flavor.
Method 3:
– Place the chicken fat in a bowl and steam it until cooked. This method produces chicken fat with a stronger flavor, but it may leave a distinctive fishy odor.
Uses of Chicken Fat in Daily Cooking
Fried Chicken and Chicken Soup
When preparing dishes using chicken meat, especially fried chicken, consider adding a small amount of chicken fat along with cooking oil. The chicken fat enhances the flavor and makes the dish more savory.
The same principle applies to chicken soup. Adding a small amount of chicken fat to the soup during cooking will boost its nutritional value and enhance its taste.
Fried Dough Sticks
If you’re frying dough sticks or other similar foods, combine cooking oil or peanut oil with a small amount of chicken fat. This combination will result in a crispier, more delicious treat.
Dimsum
You may not know this, but adding a small amount of chicken fat to the filling of dimsum makes a significant difference. When the dumplings are cooked, the liquid inside becomes more fragrant and refreshing. This unique flavor cannot be achieved with pork fat or cooking oil.
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Should You Eat the Fatty Lump Under Chicken or Discard It? Here’s How to Cook It for Sweet and Tender Meat Regardless
Chicken fat is a common sight when butchering a chicken, especially with hens or mature chickens.
Boiled chicken without salt and broth, try boiling with this water, the chicken will be firm and the meat will be tender and flavorful.
Many people believe that boiling chicken is as simple as adding salt and water. In reality, if not done well, the chicken meat can lose its natural sweetness and the skin can become mushy.
Don’t serve the boiled chicken immediately after cooking, take an extra step to make the chicken skin shiny and prevent it from becoming dull.
Once the chicken is boiled, follow this little trick to make it look more appetizing.
