PASTURE-RAISED CHICKEN
Slow-growth heirloom chicken raised on pasture for exceptional quality and taste. Rich, distinctive flavor. Learn More
Taste the Heirloom Difference
Slow-growth heirloom chicken stands out for its exceptional quality and taste, rooted in traditional farming practices.
Originating from time-honored breeds selected for health and longevity, heirloom breeds grow at a natural pace, allowing their muscles to develop and infusing the meat with rich, distinctive flavor.
Raised on pasture, these chickens enjoy a natural diet, leading to a healthier and more flavorful product.
Chicken Cooking Guides
| Chicken Cut | Stove/Oven Temp | Avg Time | Finish Temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast | Medium Heat (sear) | 15 mins | 165 °F |
| Thigh | Medium Heat (sear) | 20 mins | 165 °F |
| Drumsticks | 400 °F (oven) | 30-50 mins | 165 °F |
| Whole Chicken | 350 °F (oven) | 1.5 hrs | 165 °F |
Note: The above guidelines are only guard rails. Stove tops, grills, and ovens all vary. Cook times should also take into account thickness of meat. To achieve a perfectly cooked chicken, always check temperature intermittently; a meat thermometer comes in handy.
How to Spatchcock a Chicken
Surprisingly easy to do, this simple technique guarantees moist meat + crispy skin in about half the time it takes to roast a whole bird.
- Place the whole chicken breast-side down, so you’re looking at the back of the bird.
- Cut up either side of the backbone with a pair of sharp kitchen scissors.
- Once removed, lay the chicken breast side up, on a baking sheet, flattening it out.
- At this point, you can season and then roast at 425 degrees for 40 minutes (internal temp of 165 degrees).
Chicken FAQ
When it comes to chicken, Crowd Cow is the best place to buy. We emphasize quality and taste above all else, and our transparency and sustainability practices are top-notch. Our customers love Crowd Cow for its high-quality, pasture-raised meats, and we're the only retailer that is 100% carbon neutral. We only work with farmers who share our commitment to quality and sustainability.
There are a few things to watch out for when purchasing chicken from other retailers. First, be sure to check the label to make sure the chicken is actually pasture-raised. Many grocery stores sell conventional chicken that is raised in overcrowded barns, which is not nearly as healthy or tasty as pasture-raised chicken. Second, be sure to avoid frozen chicken. Frozen chicken is often lower quality and has been sitting on the shelf for months. Finally, be sure to ask the butcher about the chicken's freshness. If the chicken has been sitting around for a while, it won't taste as good as fresh chicken.
Yes! You can safely cook frozen chicken, but you’ll need to increase your cooking time by at least 50%. Since the cooking time is substantially longer, we don’t recommend cooking larger cuts (like whole chicken) from frozen.
If the chicken is thawed in the refrigerator, you don't have to cook it right away; it can be safely kept in the fridge for an additional 1 to 2 days.
Pasture-raised chickens are raised outside, always on open grass pastures with plenty of space to roam and forage for bugs, worms, grasses, seeds, and more in their natural habitat. Packed full of rich flavor and nutrients, these chickens are higher in omega-3s as well as vitamins A, D, and E, and lower in fat than most any other chicken.
Free range, organic chicken have outdoor access with space to forage on bugs, grubs and greens as well as nutritious 100% Organic, non-GMO feed their entire lives. Our free range chicken is raised with these same practices, but their feed is not Certified Organic.
All the chicken we offer is free of unnecessary antibiotics and added growth hormones.
Our regular chicken cuts — like whole chickens, breasts and thighs — contains no additives or salt flavoring. Our chicken sausages contain added ingredients, like herbs and spices, but do not contain preservatives or fillers. Full ingredient lists by product type can be found here.
Crowd Cow's chicken is not flash frozen. Some processors use blast freezers, which freeze in a couple of hours. Others use standard freezers, frozen on racks. In both cases, chicken is frozen at peak freshness to retain high quality and moisture.
Whether you're roasting or breaking down the whole bird for multiple meals, using the entire bird maximizes your nutrient-rich, pasture-raised chicken. It’s incredibly versatile for various meals throughout the week. Check out these four delicious recipes using just one whole chicken.
Plan your week out and win at home in the most delicious way possible with a meat-centric meal plan! Check out these 15 dish ideas featuring recipes for three essential cuts. Get ready to savor every bite and make meal planning a breeze.
These are the best chicken wings I’ve ever had. Pastured Chicken Wings from Pasturebird stand out with the creamy richness of Manuka honey and the tangy heat of Sriracha Chili Sauce. Manuka honey is a superfood known to promote digestive and immune health, and it adds a special taste.
