We’ve heard this a thousand times “It kinda tastes like chicken,” and it’s true, many alternative types of meat have taste profiles similar to chicken. So, how can this be?
Scientists say that chicken and many birds taste similar because they’re closely related, and they share ancestors with other chicken-tasting animals like reptiles.
White meat has a simple protein base, and our sense of taste figures out it’s all the same.
Similar flavors aren’t a reason not to investigate the incredible variety of meats sold today. Who knows, perhaps you’ll find your new favorite white meat in our list below!
These are nine foods that taste like chicken.
Frogs
Frogs are a delicacy, especially their meaty legs. The French love frog legs, and so the Chinese (they call frogs field chickens.) People in the Southern US consider frogs a part of their Creole cuisine too.
There are lots of ways to cook the chicken-tasting jumpy treats: in butter, with Cajun spices, stir-fried or covered in sweet and sour sauce, and they’re always delicious. Try them out and fall in love with frog legs!
Alligators
Alligators might be scary, but their meat is incredibly nutritious; it’s lean and has a low-fat content. Thus, it’s considered healthy meat to add to your meal rotation.
Battered and fried or whole-grilled (an impressive spectacle), an alligator is like chicken, but better, it has lots of Omega-3 fatty acids, making it better for you than good old chicken nuggets.
Rabbits
People eat rabbits everywhere on earth, but we don’t eat it as much as we should! Rabbit meat has the highest protein-per-pound compared to beef, chicken, and pork, and it’s sustainably bred.
Some people have mixed feelings about eating fluffy bunnies, and many people own them as pets, but food-wise, they’re very nutritious.
There’s nothing like a rabbit stew, the meat is fork-tender, and the flavor is hard to describe; it kind of tastes like chicken, but not quite.
Quail
Quails are small, lively birds, and it comes as no surprise that they taste very similar to chicken. The small birds, though, are hard to butcher, and that’s the main reason we don’t see them often in the supermarket.
Quails have little meat compared to the gigantic hens we grow today, but the flavor is somewhat leaner and more tender. Quail eggs are also a lovely addition to your diet.
Did you know? Quails are fabulous yard birds and breeding them is becoming a popular hobby.
Swordfish
The stunning, dynamic swordfish is not only a beauty to behold; it’s delicious too. Its meat is beefier than chicken, but that doesn’t stop people from comparing it to chicken. Swordfish are fatty fish, which means they’re an excellent source for Omega-3s.
Be warned, swordfish has to be line-fished in a laborious, fish-by-fish way, so there’s not too much of it to go around. Strangely, almost every seafood restaurant on earth serve it. Experts say most swordfish meat found in the market is actually tuna or shark.
Hen of the Woods mushrooms
Here’s a twist. The hen of the woods, a bushy mushroom that actually resembles a fluffy hen, subtly tastes like chicken. The mushroom’s umami richness and meatiness make the fleshy mushrooms savory and comparable to lean meat. Cooks use it as a vegan substitute for chicken in many dishes around the world.
The fungi kingdom is still filled with wonders to discover, and the hen of the woods is just one of them, have you tried it?
Pigeons
People eat pigeons, really? They do, particularly in China and south-east Asia. And while these birds are slightly different (wild) compared to city pigeons, they’re part of the same family. Pigeons taste like chicken, but don’t listen to us, try them and find out for yourself. There’s an abundance of pigeons, that’s for sure, so dig in.
Rattlesnakes
Rattlesnakes are deadly, crawling predators, but they’re abundant, which has made them a delicacy in some places from Canada to South America. These venomous vipers can grow up to eight feet, so they can feed many people. Adventurers often describe rattlesnake meat as tough chicken; others compare it with rabbit or alligator meat.
Snapping Turtles
Snapping turtles, and all turtles really, have lean white meat and are priced for their texture and flavor. Although many turtles are endangered species, there are still turtle farms where you can get safe turtle meat.
We could describe turtle meat as chicken with a fish flavor, and it’s more often than not enjoyed in a soup.
Try different things!
Lots of animals taste like chicken, sure, but there’s no reason not to try them. Many meat sources are more sustainable than chicken, and as you taste your way through the many proteins, you’ll find the subtle differences that make each type of meat unique.
Whether its alligator, quail, or a juicy pigeon, be opened to new experiences and train your palate into sophistication. You’ll be seeing more and more alternative meats in the market in the coming years, and you’d better be ready.
