WHAT IS A CHICKEN NECK?
These long necks are designed to allow the bird to lean over and peck to their heart’s content. Covered in smaller downward pointing feathers known as hackles, the neck muscles are also one of nature’s most impressive steady-cam stabilizers! Having 3 times the number of neck vertebrae as humans is what gives chickens their increased range of flexibility. The chicken neck in general is a sadly underutilized part of the bird great for stews and stocks.
WHERE IS THIS CUT LOCATED?
Right under the head starting below the wattles (two lumps of fat below the beak) and above the breasts, it’s impossible to miss.
IS THE CHICKEN NECK HEALTHIER THEN OTHER CHICKEN PARTS?
Like with most tough cuts, when simmered to the point where the meat falls off bone, yes absolutely! But stripping the meat is no easy task considering the number of tiny bones present. Most chefs instead use chicken necks when making stock. However they’re also served raw to dogs. This puts canines at risk for any of the sicknesses like campylobacter that result from non-sterilized food.
WHAT RECIPES WORK WELL WITH THIS CUT?
While stew and stock are the most common uses for this cut, you can also deep fry them!