Where to Order Chicken: A Guide to the Best Places Online and In-Store

Chicken is one of the most commonly consumed meats worldwide. From boneless chicken breasts for easy weeknight dinners to whole roasting chickens for Sunday suppers, chicken offers versatility, nutrition, and great flavor. With so many ways to enjoy chicken, many people are looking for the best places to order fresh, high-quality chicken. Luckily, there are great options for ordering chicken both online and in-store.

Online Retailers Offer Convenience

People who want to order chicken online and have it brought right to their door can choose from a number of great online stores. These online stores make it easy to look at different cuts and products of chicken, place an order, and have frozen or ice-packed fresh chicken sent right to your house.

Some of the most popular online retailers for ordering chicken include

• ButcherBox: ButcherBox offers subscriptions for regular chicken deliveries. You can choose from options like organic, free-range, and heritage breed chicken delivered monthly or every 2, 4, or 8 weeks. They offer whole chickens as well as cuts like breasts, thighs, drumsticks, wings, and ground chicken.

• Crowd Cow: Crowd Cow focuses on high-end, sustainable meats from small farms. They offer a range of premium chicken breeds. Pick from whole birds, boxes of mixed parts, chicken breasts, thighs, wings, chicken sausage, and more.

• Thrive Market: An online grocery store, Thrive Market carries many chicken products including organic chicken, chicken sausages, prepared chicken meals, chicken stock and broth, and canned chicken. They also have whole chickens and cuts like breasts, thighs, and tenders.

• Amazon Fresh is Amazon’s grocery delivery service. Prime members can order fresh chicken and have it delivered in as little as two hours in some areas. They have regular chicken as well as organic, free-range, air-chilled, and other high-end options.

The convenience of online ordering makes these retailers a great chicken resource for busy families and individuals Delivery right to your door eliminates the effort of shopping in-store.

Farm Stores Provide Specialty Chicken

In addition to online ordering, purchasing chicken directly from local farms, farmers markets, and farm stores is an excellent way to get high-quality fresh chicken. These farm-direct options provide access to specialty breeds and sustainable farming practices.

When you buy chicken directly from a farm or farm store, you can often find:

• Heritage and rare breeds – Farm stores give you access to heritage chicken breeds like Plymouth Rock, Jersey Giant, or Wyandotte chickens. These classic breeds are prized for rich flavor.

• Chicken that was raised on pasture: Many farms raise chickens outside on movable pastures so that the chickens can get natural food and exercise. This pasture raising enhances flavor and texture.

• Organic/non-GMO chicken – To avoid hormones, antibiotics and GMOs, organic or certified humane chicken is available at many farm shops.

• Butchering/processing on-demand – Some farms will hand butcher or process chickens to order so freshness is guaranteed.

• Whole birds or cuts – Farm stores often have more versatility in parts and products, with whole birds, cuts, organs, bones, and more.

• Eggs and other farm products – When visiting a farm store, you can also usually shop for farm-fresh eggs, dairy, meats, and produce.

Purchasing directly from family farms supports local agriculture and food systems. The farmers care deeply about quality and sustainability.

Grocery Stores Offer Convenience and Flexibility

For easy one-stop shopping, full-service grocery stores remain a top source for fresh chicken for many. Grocery stores offer the flexibility to shop for chicken and all your other grocery needs in a single trip.

Major grocery store chains like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, HEB, Wegmans, and more all carry large selections of fresh and frozen chicken. Benefits of buying chicken at the grocery store include:

• Convenience – During weekly shopping, chicken can be picked up without extra trips to specialty shops.

• Familiar cuts and products – Grocery chicken sections stick to traditional whole birds, breasts, thighs, drumsticks, wings, tenders, and ground chicken.

• Competitive pricing – Weekly sales and loyalty programs can often beat butcher shop prices, especially for boneless skinless breasts and chicken tenders.

• Wide availability – Local grocery store chains have broad reach, making fresh chicken accessible to most people.

• One-stop shopping – Groceries like produce, dairy, baking goods, and more can be purchased along with chicken.

For easy chicken dinners any night of the week, the grocery store chicken case or freezer section may suit your needs.

Warehouse Clubs Offer Bulk Purchasing

For large families, those who cook chicken frequently, or anyone looking for budget-friendly chicken, warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale are great. These members-only warehouse stores allow you to buy fresh and frozen chicken in bulk at low prices.

Benefits of buying chicken at warehouse club stores include:

• Bulk pricing – Large multi-pound packs or family packs offer savings over regular grocery stores.

• Kirkland, Member’s Mark, Wellsley Farms brands – Warehouse store private label chicken brands are high-quality but cost less.

• Organic and air chilled options – In addition to conventional chicken, warehouse stores also stock organic, humanely raised and air chilled chicken.

• Prepared chicken – Rotisserie chickens, fried chicken tenders, chicken salads, and breaded chicken products offer convenience.

• One-stop shopping – Warehouse clubs sell more than just groceries, so you can also shop for household, clothing, pet supplies and more.

For feeding a crowd or stocking up the freezer, a warehouse club membership provides budget-friendly bulk chicken year-round.

Butcher Shops Provide Customization

For the ultimate in high-quality, flavorful chicken, venturing to a local butcher shop is a great option. Butchers offer a custom experience you can’t find anywhere else when it comes to chicken selection and preparation.

Visiting a butcher shop for chicken gives you access to:

• Expert guidance – Butchers will help you select just the right chicken products and cuts for your needs.

• Special breeds – Heritage chicken breeds and locally-raised chickens offer superior flavor.

• Custom cuts and processing – Butchers can cut or debone chicken to order and prepare specialty items.

• Marinated and seasoned chickens – For added flavor, have your chicken marinated or seasoned by the butcher.

• Housemade chicken sausage and prepared chicken – Butchers make chicken entrees, sides, and ready-to-cook items in-house.

• Dry aging – Butchers can dry age whole chickens for intensified flavor and texture.

For the best quality chicken specially cut, prepared, and crafted for you, find a local butcher shop.

Ordering Chicken for Any Need

From organic whole birds to marinated chicken cutlets, there are great options for fresh chicken to suit any recipe or diet. Online stores offer quick home delivery of premium chicken. Farm stands provide local, specialty breeds raised sustainably. Grocery and warehouse stores allow convenient one-stop shopping for all your chicken needs at competitive prices. And butchers offer customized cuts and artisanal chicken products.

With this wide range of excellent sources, ordering delicious fresh chicken is easy and accessible. Whether cooking a family dinner, meal prepping healthy lunches, firing up the grill, or preparing a special recipe, you can find the perfect chicken to match your cooking needs.