Chicken bacon has become a popular alternative to traditional pork bacon due to dietary restrictions or preferences. But how exactly is chicken bacon made? Here is an in-depth look at the process of making chicken bacon.
What is Chicken Bacon?
Chicken bacon is made from chicken meat rather than pork. It provides a similar smoky, salty, crispy texture and flavor as regular bacon without coming from a pig.
There are a few different types of chicken bacon:
- Made from chicken breast – Thin slices of chicken breast are brined, smoked, and sliced to mimic bacon.
- Made from chicken thighs – The skinless dark meat of chicken thighs undergoes a curing and smoking process.
- Turkey bacon – Turkey bacon follows the same process but uses turkey meat instead of chicken.
In addition to providing an alternative for those who don’t eat pork, chicken bacon is also lower in fat and calories compared to pork bacon.
Brining the Chicken
Brining is an essential first step to making chicken bacon. It helps keep the chicken moist and infuses it with flavor.
Chicken intended for bacon is brined in a wet brine or dry cure:
Wet brine:
- The chicken is submerged in a saltwater solution known as a wet brine.
- It soaks for 1-3 days to allow the brine to penetrate the meat.
- A basic brine contains salt, sugar, and aromatics like garlic, pepper, bay leaves.
- The salt seasons the chicken and the sugar balances out the harshness.
Dry cure:
- A salt and sugar cure is directly rubbed onto the meat.
- The chicken sits in the fridge for up to a week as the cure penetrates.
- It results in a more concentrated, seasoning flavor.
Brining adds key moisture and flavor that is necessary for chicken bacon’s texture.
Smoking the Chicken
After brining, the chicken goes into a smoker. Smoking infuses rich, smoky, savory flavor into the meat.
There are two methods for smoking chicken for bacon:
Cold smoking:
- The chicken smokes at temperatures under 100°F.
- It does not actually cook the bacon during this stage.
- Cold smoking can last up to 24 hours.
- The long, slow smoking fully penetrates the chicken for pronounced smoky flavor.
Hot smoking:
- The chicken smokes at temperatures between 150-180°F.
- This gently cooks the bacon while also infusing smoke.
- Hot smoking takes less time, around 2-4 hours.
Wood chips like hickory, apple, maple, oak impart different smoke flavors. Smoking is key to making chicken have the expected bacon flavor profile.
Slicing and Cooking
Once smoked, the chicken bacon is ready to be sliced and cooked just like regular bacon.
Slicing:
- Bacon is easier to cook and eat when sliced thin.
- Sliced widths range from regular cut to thin cut.
- Machine slicers provide uniform, consistent slices.
Cooking:
- Chicken bacon is cooked by pan frying or baking.
- Pan frying provides crispy texure while baking avoids curling.
- Cooked to a slight crisp but not burned or dried out.
- Lower fat content means it cooks faster than pork bacon.
The finished chicken bacon provides all the crispy, salty, smoky bacon flavor without coming from pork.
Types of Chicken Bacon
There are a few different forms chicken bacon takes:
Slices – Thin sliced strips mimic traditional pork breakfast bacon.
Lardons – Small diced cubes are perfect for soups, stews, salads.
Slabs – Rectangular slabs sliced and cooked like pork belly bacon.
Pellets – Pellets are used to infuse bacon flavor into dishes without bits of bacon.
Nutrition Comparison of Chicken and Pork Bacon
Chicken bacon differs in nutrition compared to regular pork bacon:
| Nutrition Facts | Chicken Bacon (per slice) | Pork Bacon (per slice) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 40 | 43 |
| Fat (g) | 1 | 4 |
| Sodium (mg) | 440 | 190 |
| Protein (g) | 6 | 4 |
- Chicken bacon is lower in calories and fat than pork.
- It is higher in sodium due to the brining process.
- Chicken provides more protein than pork.
So chicken can provide the bacon experience with less fat and more protein.
Cost Comparison of Chicken and Pork Bacon
Chicken bacon tends to cost a bit more than traditional pork bacon:
| Bacon Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Pork bacon | $4-6 per lb |
| Chicken bacon | $6-10 per lb |
| Turkey bacon | $5-8 per lb |
The reasons for the price difference include:
- Specialized manufacturing process for chicken bacon
- Less demand compared to ubiquitous pork bacon
- Perception as a “premium” product
The higher price point reflects the specialty nature of chicken bacon in contrast to commodity pork bacon. As it increases in popularity, prices may come down somewhat but it remains pricier to produce than traditional pork bacon.
Taste Comparison
How does the taste of chicken bacon compare to pork bacon?
Pork bacon characteristics:
- Salty, smoky flavor
- Crispy, fatty texture
- Traditional robust bacon taste
Chicken bacon characteristics:
- Milder smoky, salty flavor
- Leaner, less greasy
- More delicate texture
- Subtler bacon taste
The flavor and mouthfeel of chicken bacon is more subtle compared to the rich fattiness of pork. It satisfies the bacon craving while being lighter.
Chicken Bacon Recipes
Chicken bacon can be swapped in for regular bacon in these recipes:
Breakfast recipes:
- Chicken bacon egg cups
- Chicken bacon avocado toast
- Chicken bacon breakfast sandwiches
Soups and salads:
- Chicken bacon caesar salad
- Chicken bacon corn chowder
- Chicken bacon ranch pasta salad
Main dishes:
- Chicken bacon mac and cheese
- Chicken bacon mushroom quiche
- Chicken bacon wrapped shrimp
Appetizers:
- Chicken bacon jalapeno poppers
- Chicken bacon dates
- Chicken bacon potato skins
Chicken bacon can be creatively substituted in many pork bacon recipes. Adjust cooking times slightly due to the leaner chicken meat.
Is Chicken Bacon Healthier Than Pork?
Chicken bacon is often considered a healthier alternative to pork bacon due to:
- Lower in fat, calories, and cholesterol
- Higher in protein
- No red or processed meat
However, chicken bacon is still high in sodium. So it should still be eaten in moderation for those limiting salt intake.
Some considerations:
- Fat content – Chicken is leaner with less saturated fat.
- Ingredients – Check labels for added preservatives like nitrites.
- Portion size – Stick to recommended serving sizes.
Overall, chicken can provide a healthier bacon alternative to pork. But all bacon should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, regardless of the source.
Why People Choose Chicken Over Pork Bacon
There are a few key reasons some people prefer chicken bacon:
- Religious restrictions – Chicken bacon avoids pork prohibited in some religions.
- Dietary needs – Suitable for vegetarians/vegans or those limiting red meat.
- Nutritional benefits – Lower fat and calories than pork.
- Health conditions – Easier to digest than pork for some.
- Taste preference – Enjoy the lighter flavor over pork.
While traditional pork bacon is still most popular, chicken bacon appeals to a wide range of dietary needs and flavor preferences.
Is Chicken Bacon Processed Like Pork Bacon?
Chicken bacon undergoes a similar process to traditional cured pork bacon:
- Brined or cured in salt, sugar, and nitrites.
- Smoked to add flavor.
- Contains added preservatives.
So despite being poultry, chicken bacon is still considered a processed meat product. Those looking to avoid processed meats may want to avoid chicken bacon as well and instead flavor chicken other ways.
How Well Does it Mimic Pork Bacon?
Chicken bacon provides a similar sensory experience as pork bacon:
- Smoky, salty, umami flavor
- Crispy, fatty mouthfeel (though less fat)
- Sizzles and browns like traditional bacon
- Used in recipes as a 1:1 swap for pork bacon
Of course, the flavor and texture is still discernably different from pork due to the use of lean chicken meat. But it mimics pork bacon very closely for those desiring a similar eating experience.
Is Chicken Skin Used?
Chicken skin is not commonly used to make chicken bacon. The skin lacks the fat and collagen content that gives pork bacon its characteristic texture.
Most chicken bacon uses:
- Skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- Skinless chicken thighs
- Ground chicken reshaped into slices or lardons
While the skin could theoretically be used after curing and smoking, it would end up very tough and chewy. So chicken bacon relies on the lean meat rather than the skin.
Common Brands
Some popular brands of chicken bacon include:
- Oscar Mayer
- Hormel Black Label
- Applegate
- Wellshire Farms
- Tyson Red Label
- Maple Leaf Farms
As demand increases, more bacon brands are offering chicken and turkey options to meet changing tastes and dietary needs.
Is Chicken Bacon Just a Fad?
While chicken bacon will likely never overtake pork in popularity, it does seem to be more than just a passing fad. A few reasons it is here to stay:
- Provides an option for religious and dietary restrictions.
- Interest in low-carb, high protein, paleo eating.
- Focus on less processed foods.
- More available in stores and restaurants.
- Kids and parents enjoy the milder taste.
As people continue to look for alternatives to pork, chicken bacon fills an important niche in the marketplace. Its popularity will likely continue to grow steadily over the coming years.
Regional and Cultural Differences
Chicken options like turkey or chicken bacon are most popular in the United States and Canada. Some cultural differences:
- Western cultures more focused on high protein diets.
- Religious diversity influences food restrictions.
- Poultry farming subsidies lower costs.
- Low-fat diets were a strong food trend.
Consumer concerns like fat intake, humane livestock practices, and interest in vegetarianism drive chicken bacon demand in North America. It has caught on slower in other regions.
How it is Displayed in Stores
Chicken bacon is merchandised right alongside pork bacon, typically in the packaged meat cooler section. It can be found:
- In the bacon section
- In a dedicated poultry or turkey section
- With other alternative meat products like sausages
- In the natural/organic meat area
Separate chicken bacon displays make it easy for interested shoppers to find. But integrating it into the main bacon area also exposes more conventional shoppers to this alternative.
Food Safety Tips
Chicken bacon is safe when properly handled like other poultry products:
- Cook to 165°F internal temperature.
- Store uncooked in fridge 1-2 days; 3-4 months in freezer.
- Don’t thaw at room temp; thaw in fridge or microwave.
- Discard if smells bad or has turned color.
- Avoid cross-contaminating surfaces and utensils.
Follow food safety best practices to prevent bacteria like salmonella. This ensures chicken bacon stays delicious and pathogen-free.
Conclusion
While pork remains king of bacon, chicken bacon has carved out an important niche for those looking to avoid pork. Brining, smoking, and slicing chicken provides a tasty alternative that mimics the salty, smoky, crispy joy of bacon. Taste preferences along with dietary, religious, and health factors make chicken and turkey bacon a popular substitute. Careful merchandising and food safety practices ensure consumers can continue to enjoy this alternative bacon option.