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Chicken Forequarter Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to chicken forequarters
About chicken forequarters
When you're in the mood for a hearty baked dish, chicken forequarters are a great choice. If you don't already have some chicken waiting in the freezer or thawing in the refrigerator, stocking up is easier than you might think. Add your choice of chicken forequarter cuts to your Instacart order and pick it up at your local supermarket in just 2 hours! Alternatively, take advantage of same-day delivery and get your Instacart order delivered right to your door.
As the name suggests, a chicken forequarter consists of a section that equals about a quarter of the bird. A forequarter includes part of the breast and wings located at the bird's fore or front. A forequarter section doesn't include thighs or drumsticks.
When you shop for chicken forequarters at your local butcher shop or grocery store, you can usually buy them fresh. They may be bone-in for distinctive plating and appearance or skinless and boneless for easy preparation. Sometimes you can purchase them pre-chopped, so all you have to do is season and cook them.
Chicken forequarter cooking tips
Because a typical chicken forequarter includes some of the most tender white meat parts, this cut is relatively versatile. It often works best with multiple cooking methods, such as searing to cook it quickly and then baking to seal in flavors over a longer period of time.
For example, one of the most common forequarter recipes is chicken cacciatore. To prepare this dish, start by searing the chicken forequarters until they're nicely browned. Then, place them in a casserole dish with tomatoes, onions, garlic, black olives, white wine, water, and Italian herbs. Bake the dish for 50 to 60 minutes until the flavors have melded together beautifully. To add a little more variety, serve with pasta or vegetables.
Like all cuts of chicken, the forequarter has to reach a safe temperature before you can enjoy it. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends an internal temperature of 165 degrees for chicken. Baking a chicken forequarter in the oven for an hour or so is usually sufficient. However, using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature is a smart way to confirm that the chicken is safe to eat.
Chicken Forequarter Near Me
Buy your favorite Chicken Forequarter online with Instacart. Order Chicken Forequarter from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about chicken forequarters
The most delicious part of the chicken depends on your personal preferences. Some of the most common chicken cuts include:
- Chicken forequarter: Since it includes the breast and the wing, the chicken forequarter captures the best of both worlds. You can prepare this cut whole or separate it into pieces.
- Chicken breast: One of the most popular cuts of chicken, the breast works well in baked, roasted, or even grilled dishes.
- Chicken tender: Since it comes from the chicken tenderloin, tenders are remarkably juicy. You can bake tenders, but they're also fun to season, bread, and enjoy as finger foods.
- Chicken thigh: The tastiest dark meat parts, chicken thighs are ideal for roasting or grilling.
- Chicken wing: Whether you prefer spicy or sweet, chicken wings pair perfectly with your favorite sauces. They also go well with dipping sauces if you want to layer on the flavors.
Although some chicken cuts appear on menus and in grocery stores less often than others, you can eat just about every part of a chicken. Here's how to prepare some of the less popular parts:
- Chicken liver: This organ is completely different from most chicken cuts, but it can be just as tasty. You can fry chicken livers for bite-size snacks or saute them with onions.
- Chicken gizzards: These organs can be tough, so it's important to give them plenty of time to cook. Try braising them in liquid or grilling them on a skewer.
- Chicken tail: Since they're relatively fatty, chicken tails might not be at the top of your list. However, they can be delicious when grilled and slathered with a soy sauce glaze.
When you buy chicken, it's important to make sure you prepare and eat it before it goes bad. Frozen chicken parts, such as forequarters, can usually keep up to nine months in the freezer. An entire raw chicken can keep in the freezer for up to a year.
If you buy a chicken forequarter fresh or defrost it in the refrigerator, be sure to cook and eat it within a day or two. If you sense a change in texture or smell, consider it a sign that the chicken has gone bad, and you should dispose of it.
After cooking chicken forequarters, you can refrigerate any leftovers. It's best to eat the leftovers within three or four days to prevent them from going bad.