- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- CookingFood
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every September
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- 🍗
National Chicken Month celebrates America’s most popular protein throughout September. This month-long observance encourages everyone to explore new recipes, appreciate chicken’s versatility, and learn about its journey from farm to plate. Get cooking, try new flavors, and share your favorite chicken dishes!
Want to sponsor National Chicken Month? Learn how
National Chicken Month timeline
McDonald's introduces their chicken nuggets
Guess which city came up with this. Hint: Ever heard of "Buffalo" wings?
The American creation of chicken Cordon Bleu made its debut as an airline food
The first Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) was established in North Corbin, Kentucky
National Chicken Month FAQs
When is National Chicken Month?
National Chicken Month 2026 runs throughout September, celebrating America’s most popular protein. It’s a full 30 days to savor chicken in all its delicious forms.
How much chicken do Americans eat?
Americans consume approximately 98.7 pounds of chicken per capita annually, making it the most popular meat choice in the U.S. This figure has steadily risen over decades.
Who founded National Chicken Month?
National Chicken Month was established by the National Chicken Council (NCC) in 1961, initially as ‘National Chicken Week.’ It expanded to a full month in 1971 to better promote chicken consumption.
What is the difference between a broiler and a fryer chicken?
Broiler and fryer chickens are essentially the same: young chickens (typically 6-10 weeks old) raised specifically for meat production. The terms are often used interchangeably, referring to chickens suitable for various cooking methods.
National Chicken Month Activities
Host a chicken potluck
Invite some friends over. The only requirement here is that every dish should incorporate chicken in some way.
Go out for chicken and waffles
Whether dining out for chicken and waffles on Sunday is part of your weekly routine, or if you've never even tried it before, National Chicken Month is the perfect time order a plate of this sweet (and savory) goodness.
Learn a new recipe
There are seemingly endless ways to prepare chicken, so during this month, make it a point to learn how to make a recipe you've never tried before. It's always fun to add a new dish to your repertoire.
5 Finger Lickin' Facts About Chicken
That's a lot of chicken
The average American eats around 83 pounds of chicken per year
Wildly popular
Chicken is the most widely consumed form of poultry throughout the entire world
Wings and football
In 2012, over 1.25 billion chicken wings were consumed during Super Bowl weekend
Chicken soup is good for the soul
For chicken soup manufacturers, cold and flu season generates over half of their revenue
Americans like their chicken
Over half of the entrees ordered in restaurants are for some form of chicken dish
Why We Love National Chicken Month
Chicken's easy to find
Check out just about any grocery store or restaurant menu, and you're sure to find chicken somewhere. It's practically always available and affordable.
Chicken's good for your head
Chicken is high in Vitamin B — which is linked to promoting psychological health. This essential nutrient also helps fight off anxiety, stress, and even memory loss.
It's tasty
When seasoned properly, chicken is simply scrumptious. People all over the world have their own ways to prepare poultry, so whether you're in the mood for chicken fried rice, chicken marsala, or some crispy fried chicken, your taste buds are in for a treat.
National Chicken Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | September 1 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | September 1 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | September 1 | Friday |
| 2029 | September 1 | Saturday |
| 2030 | September 1 | Sunday |
