As the more popular choice for poultry, chicken has certainly made a name for itself at the dinner table. There are an endless number of recipes that rely on chicken as the main ingredient. Adding to the vast menu chicken dishes can offer, there are also a variety of ways in which you can purchase chicken. It's important to remember that even as chicken is readily accessible in most supermarkets, choosing the right style or cuts of chicken, can not only save you money, but can be real time savers too!

This guide will show you how to buy chicken, and the advantages of buying in variety. Chicken is a flexible protein, as it can be prepared and used in a variety of ways.http://www.tyson.com/Consumer/CookingSchool/Foodwise/BuyingChicken.aspx Chicken can be grilled, broiled, baked, fried, breaded, barbequed, or roasted. With this many options, chicken is packaged for sale in several different forms. From fresh to frozen, and whole to boneless, this guide on how to buy chicken will shed new light on your trip to the market.

Chicken is known not only for it's culinary uses, but also for the nutritional value it adds to your diet. Chicken is high in protein and low in ]]fat]], perfect for healthy meals. You can even further it's diet potential by trimming any skin or fat that may be present, and using cooking methods such as grilling or baking. For those of you counting calories, chicken is also very low in those too. Chicken is generally less expensive than other protein rich meats such as fish and steak, making it more appealing to your budget.http://www.tyson.com/Consumer/CookingSchool/Foodwise/BuyingChicken.aspx

Variety. No other meat can be used in as many dishes and recipes as chicken. You can have a baked chicken dinner, grilled chicken salad for lunch, cold chicken sandwiches, grilled chicken breast, chicken noodle soup and so on. Also, chicken cooks relatively quickly. When pressed for time, you can still prepare a healthy meal for your family by choosing chicken over a main course that takes more prep time. http://www.tyson.com/Consumer/CookingSchool/Foodwise/BuyingChicken.aspx

Because of it's availability, chicken is most often the most economic choice for meat. You can find it available in just about every grocer or supermarket. Since it's not a seasonal food, it can be enjoyed all year round, for approximately the same price. You don't have to shop at a specialty store, or visit your local butcher to get a quality chicken breast. Most grocers have a variety of chicken readily available.

Whole chickens are usually broken down and butchered into several different parts. These parts are then sold individually. Here are several common cuts of chicken.http://www.chicken.org.au/page.php?id=12

Whole Chicken - Purchasing a whole chicken can be less expensive per pound. Without having the chicken prepared and butchered, the savings are passed on to you. These are perfect for roasting or deep frying. Also available are halves. This is a whole split down the middle. An 8 piece cut is the entire bird, cut into it's common 8 parts.

Breast - There are several different ways that breasts can be cut. Quarters, split, split w/out the back, boneless/skinless. A complete matter of preference, however chicken breast is where the majority of juicy white meat is contained. These are perfect grilled, baked, fried or chopped into cubes for stir fry or other recipes.

Wings - Chicken wings can be purchased as whole wings, the tip, mid, or drumettes. Generally this cut is then divided into the previous cuts and fried or baked, then lathered in savory sauces.

Leg - The whole chicken leg may be sold or cut into thighs and drumsticks.

Giblets - This includes the heart, neck and liver.

With threat of salmonella and other bacterial infections, handling chicken carefully is imperative. http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tools-and-techniques/how-to-buy-chicken-cooking.htm

1. Choose chicken that has a creamy whitish-yellow color.
2. For chicken to remain safe, it must be kept refrigerated at all times. If the package is not cool and sealed properly, do not buy it.
3. Any foul or sour odor is the symptom of spoilage. Avoid any packages that have a strong odor.
4. Prepared chicken ans raw chicken should always be kept in separate cases. If your grocer has them in the same case, it could be subject to cross contamination.
5. If your grocery offers plastic bags to carry meat in, accept. As with any raw meat, there are juices that if they are ingested could lead to bacterial infection. To avoid this coming in contact with any of your other grocery items, keep the chicken in separate bags.