Eggs and chicken are two of the most versatile and commonly consumed foods around the world. While chicken and eggs both come from the same animal, you may wonder whether it’s considered weird or taboo to eat them together in the same dish or meal. This article will explore whether eggs and chicken go well together, look at some classic dishes that combine eggs and chicken, discuss the nutritional profile of eating eggs and chicken together, and give tips on how to cook chicken and eggs so they complement each other.
Do eggs and chicken go together?
Chicken and eggs can absolutely go together in the same meal or dish. There are many classic dishes that artfully combine chicken and eggs, from omelets and breakfast skillets to chicken salad and noodle stir fries. When cooked properly, chicken and eggs can balance and accentuate each other’s flavors and textures. Chicken provides hearty protein and substance while eggs offer richness and body. Here are some reasons why chicken and eggs work well together in meals:
- Complementary proteins – Chicken meat and eggs offer high-quality, complementary proteins that provide all the essential amino acids we need.
- Versatile ingredients – Chicken and eggs are both incredibly versatile. They take on flavors easily and can work in so many dishes across cuisines.
- Offsetting textures – The tender, flakey texture of chicken contrasts nicely with the custardy creaminess of eggs.
- Flavors balance each other – Chicken has a mild, savory flavor while eggs offer rich umami. When combined, they create complex, indulgent taste profiles.
- Shared origins – Chicken and eggs come from the same animal, so combining them can feel natural and intuitive in dishes.
As long as the chicken and eggs are cooked properly, the textures harmonize, and the flavors are balanced, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy chicken and eggs together.
Classic dishes with chicken and eggs
Many beloved, classic comfort foods artfully combine chicken and eggs. Here are some popular dishes that feature both chicken and eggs:
- Breakfast skillets and omelets – Eggs scrambled with chicken sausage, bacon, or shreds of roast chicken.
- Chicken fried rice – Fluffy scrambled eggs with chicken and veggies tossed with rice.
- Chicken noodle soup – Egg noodles and shreds of chicken simmered in broth.
- Chicken salad – Shredded chicken mixed with mayo, hard boiled eggs, and celery.
- Chicken and dumplings – Fluffy steamed egg dumplings with chicken in thick gravy.
- Chicken pot pie – Chicken and vegetables baked under a flaky pie crust lid.
- Pad thai – Rice noodles with chicken, eggs, peanuts, and tangy tamarind.
- Ramen noodle soup – Ramen topped with slices of boiled egg and chicken.
- Chicken stir fry – Chicken and veggies tossed in a scrambled egg-thickened sauce.
- Egg foo young – Eggy pancake stuffed with chicken and vegetables.
As you can see, chicken and eggs are right at home together in many comfort foods across cuisines. The mix of textures and savory flavors when you combine chicken and eggs is hard to beat.
Nutritional profile of eating chicken and eggs
Enjoying chicken and eggs together in a meal can provide you with an excellent nutritional profile. Here are some of the benefits of eating chicken and eggs together:
- High-quality protein – Chicken and eggs provide all essential amino acids for building and repairing muscle.
- Important vitamins and minerals – Eggs offer vitamin A, B vitamins, selenium. Chicken provides niacin, B6, iron, magnesium, zinc.
- Choline – Eggs are one of the richest sources of the nutrient choline, which supports brain and liver health.
- Healthy fats – Egg yolks provide heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
- Lutein and zeaxanthin – Egg yolks contain these two carotenoids that support eye health.
Here is a nutritional comparison of 3 ounces of cooked chicken breast without skin and 1 large hard boiled egg (50 grams):
| Nutrient | Chicken (3 oz) | Egg (1 large) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 140 | 78 |
| Fat | 3 g | 5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g | 2 g |
| Protein | 26 g | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 85 mg | 186 mg |
Chicken breast is high in protein and low in fat, while eggs offer healthy fats, cholesterol, and key nutrients like choline. Together, they make the perfect protein pairing.
Tips for cooking chicken and eggs
To get the best results when combining chicken and eggs, follow these tips:
- Don’t overcook the eggs – For creamy, soft scrambled eggs or omelets, cook on low heat and avoid browning.
- Velvet the chicken – For tender chicken, velvet it by coating in cornstarch and oil before cooking.
- Sear, then simmer – Brown chicken first for flavor, then finish cooking in a sauce or soup.
- Slice against the grain – Cut cooked chicken against the grain so it’s tender.
- Balance flavors – A rich, creamy egg sauce pairs well with simply prepared chicken.
- Stagger cooking times – Hard boil eggs ahead so they don’t get overcooked with the chicken.
- Use bone-in chicken – Chicken with the bone in stays juicier. Remove bones before combining with eggs.
- Season thoughtfully – Don’t overpower the egg’s subtle flavor with strong spices meant for the chicken.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can perfectly cook chicken and eggs so they come together in each dish harmoniously.
Conclusion
Chicken and eggs are a classic pairing that features in many beloved comfort foods and cuisines around the world. Eggs and chicken complement each other beautifully when it comes to textures, flavors, and shared origins. Dishes that artfully combine chicken and eggs benefit from the proteins’ stellar nutritional profiles. Paying attention to thoughtful cooking techniques brings out the best in both chicken and eggs.
So don’t hesitate to enjoy eggs and chicken together. An omelet topped with black bean chicken or a noodle stir fry with shreds of chicken and a silky egg sauce combine the best these two ingredients have to offer. With so many delicious and interesting ways to prepare them, chicken and eggs most definitely go together wonderfully in all kinds of meals.