What You Need to Know About Buying Chicken

Buying chicken is something that most people have done countless times, but have you ever stopped to think about how to get the best chicken for your recipe? As it turns out, there is a lot more to buying chicken than just grabbing a pack and quickly checking the date. Before your next trip to the grocery store, here is everything you need to know about buying chicken.

Gently Poke the Pieces

As you’re selecting a pack of chicken, use your finger to gently poke each piece. The chicken should feel firm but spring back immediately after being touched. If you press on the chicken and it feels hard or the indentation from your finger remains, the chicken is likely dehydrated and has been sitting on the shelves for a long time. If you press the chicken and it feels bloated, it has probably been injected with water to make it seem plumper, which also means it will release a lot of moisture as it cooks and become flat and dry.

Check the Color

The chicken you select should be pink in color. If the meat has a translucent quality, it has been sitting on the shelf for too long and will turn bad soon. The fat on the chicken should be white or yellow. Any gray on the skin or on the meat itself is a sign that the chicken is old and that you shouldn’t buy it.

Avoid Anything with Damage

The pieces of chicken you choose should be free from damage, like tears in the skin or meat. These tears will make the choice spoil much faster and may be an indicator that the chicken has already spoiled.

You’ll find the freshest chicken as well as produce, meats, and other products at Villa’s Market. Find out more about the market selection and how to find the grocery store in Nogales by calling (520) 281-9717.

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