Since 1992, chicken has claimed the top consumption spot in the American protein kingdom, and consumers aren’t looking back anytime soon. When chicken first became our nation’s favorite protein over 30 years ago, the average American dined on 66.5 pounds of chicken per year. Chicken consumption has steadily gained momentum—almost annually—and in 2023, the average American ate an estimated 101.7 pounds of chicken! What’s more, national chicken consumption is projected to jump even higher in 2024!
So why is chicken such a stellar standout in the meat market? We surveyed 1,500 Americans to find out!1
The Chicken Trifecta Effect
After all, whether you’re taking a quick lunch break or making a family dinner, you often want a meal that tastes good and makes you feel good, stretches your wallet and delivers, time and again. What’s more, many Americans see chicken as a versatile protein everyone will enjoy, with nearly endless opportunities to customize taste and be creative in the kitchen.
But that’s not all we uncovered! Take a look—here are some more bite-sized tidbits about American chicken consumption:
🍽 98% of respondents eat chicken monthly, with most consumers eating the protein weekly.
🍽 65% of respondents perceive chicken as essential to their diet.
🍽 77% of respondents love to eat chicken more than any other protein.
🍽 65% of respondents enjoy preparing chicken more than any other protein.
🍽 40% of respondents would continue buying chicken, even if the price increased, regardless of the cost.
🍽 15% of respondents would reallocate spending money to keep purchasing chicken.