Forget What You “Know”: Chicken Skin is In

Chicken Skin has long been viewed as unhealthy due to its fatty content. However, just because something has excess fat doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be enjoyed in moderation, especially if there are additional good health benefits obtained from consumption that (again, in moderation) weigh out the bad. In fact, a majority of the fat in chicken skin is actually heart-healthy unsaturated fats, a.k.a. The good kind that DOESN’T increase cholesterol and heart disease risk, so this delicious treat has really just been misunderstood for many years.

As with most things in life, it should still be enjoyed in moderation, which makes it the perfect treat for a special dinner party or culinary occasion of sorts. Many upscale and sustainably-minded chefs have found tasty and beautiful ways to incorporate chicken skin into intricate meals. By using the skin, you’re tapping into the “whole animal” concept which is the most sustainable way to enjoy meat, honoring the entire animal with little to no waste. The beauty of chicken skin is how delicious it can take with little to no preparation.

The techniques that the chefs are using in their trendy restaurants can easily be replicated at home with little effort while still delivering a rich and unique snack. One of the best examples of this, and our favorite way to prepare and enjoy this delight, is chicken skin chips. They’re as easy as spreading out on a pan and bake at 350 for about an hour, much like this Bon Appetit recipe.

As soon as they’re removed from the oven and ready to eat (give them a poke to assess the texture - you want them to be 100% crispy), sprinkle with salt and pepper and enjoy. You can bake them in advance and store in an airtight container if needed. We recommended pairing them with garlic aioli, chipotle aioli, or another complementary dip. Everyone from kids to adults tend to enjoy this treat and you’ll likely find yourself making it again sooner than you expected or find that your guests are eager to try it out on their own. When they are, make sure you send them in Dutch Meadows’ direction so they’re guaranteed to be starting with a high quality, healthy product.