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Al222
Al222 (25123 pt) 2025-Nov-13 10:48

Shredded chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Description

  • Cooked chicken meat (typically breast or thigh, with or without skin) pulled along the fibers by forks or mechanical shredders.

  • Sensory profile: fibrous–juicy when properly cooked and rehydrated; mild flavor, easily seasoned (stocks, spices, sauces).

  • Formats: plain/natural, seasoned (e.g., BBQ, taco, Mediterranean), refrigerated (vacuum/MAP) or frozen (IQF or blocks).

Caloric value (per 100 g)

  • Skinless breast: ~120–165 kcal, protein ~24–31 g, fat ~2–5 g, carbohydrate ~0 g.

  • Skinless thigh: ~160–205 kcal, fat ~6–12 g.

  • Values vary with added fats, sauces, and brines (sodium can range from <100 mg to >600 mg/100 g).

Key constituents

  • Myofibrillar proteins (actin, myosin), sarcoplasmic proteins, and collagen; complete amino-acid profile (rich in lysine and leucine).

  • Lipids depend on cut; generally MUFA/PUFA predominate over SFA (see Lipid profile). Cholesterol ~60–90 mg/100 g.

  • Minerals (P, K, Se) and B vitamins (B3, B6); sodium depends on processing (brines, sauces).

  • Typical markers: moisture, protein (% Kjeldahl/Dumas), fat (Soxhlet), NaCl (%), pH ~5.8–6.3, aw >0.97.

Production process

  • Raw material: deboned cuts → optional brining/marinade (water, salt, sugars, spices; phosphates where allowed) → cooking (poach/boil, steam, oven, sous-vide).

  • Rapid coolingshredding (manual or drum/blade) → optional re-hydration with jus/stockpackaging (vacuum or MAP) → chilled/frozen storage.

  • Controlled under GMP/HACCP with CCP for time–temperature, cooling, hygiene, and foreign-body prevention.

Sensory and technological properties

  • Juiciness enhanced by gentle cooking (sous-vide/poaching) and liquid return (jus).

  • Structure: longer shreds bind sauces; finer mince suits fillings/bases.

  • Water binding improved by moderate salt, starches/fibers, or (where permitted) phosphates; pH affects yield and tenderness.

Food uses

  • Tacos/burritos/quesadillas, protein salads, sandwiches/pulled-style, pasta/rice dishes, soups/ramen/pho, stuffings (pies, vegetables), pizza topping.

  • Typical inclusions: as a primary ingredient 30–60% in ready meals; as a component 10–30% in sauces/fillings (confirm by pilot trials).

Nutrition and health

  • High protein density with fat varying by cut; carbohydrates ~0 g unless sauces are added.

  • Sodium should be monitored in ready-to-eat items (brines/sauces).

  • Chicken-meat allergy is rare; consider allergens introduced via marinades/sauces (e.g., soy, milk, gluten).

Lipid profile

  • Skinless breast: low total fat; indicative pattern MUFA (oleic) and PUFA (linoleic) > SFA (palmitic/stearic).

  • Thigh: higher fat than breast, still MUFA/PUFA-predominant.

  • Health note: moderating SFA while favoring MUFA/PUFA is generally favorable/neutral for blood lipids. TFA industrial absent; MCT not characteristic.

Quality and specifications (typical topics)

  • Moisture, protein, fat, salt (NaCl), pH, water activity (aw).

  • Microbiology: Salmonella absent in 25 g; Listeria monocytogenes compliant per local regs; TVC/Enterobacteriaceae within limits.

  • Sensory: intact fibers, no oxidized, sulfurous, or abnormal acidic notes.

  • Metals/residues as required; for IQF: glaze and net weight compliance.

Storage and shelf-life

  • Chilled (0–4 °C): intact vacuum/MAP packs per producer use-by; once opened, 3–5 days.

  • Frozen (≤−18 °C): 6–12 months; thaw under refrigeration, do not refreeze.

  • Minimize temperature fluctuations; apply FIFO.

Allergens and safety

  • Chicken is not a major EU allergen; consider cross-contact in mixed plants.

  • Label any additives/allergens from marinades/sauces; use PPE to prevent foreign bodies.

INCI functions in cosmetics

  • Not typical. Rare protein derivatives (e.g., Hydrolyzed Chicken Protein) exist; usage is limited.

Troubleshooting

  • Dry/stringy meat: overcooking or slow cooling → prefer sous-vide/poaching, rapid chill, re-hydrate with jus/gelatin.

  • Hard to shred: core temperature too low or insufficient collagen conversion → shred warm (50–60 °C center).

  • High purge in pack: reduce salt/phosphates, tune pH, add rest time post-cook.

  • Flat flavor: add acid (citrus/vinegar), umami (concentrated stock, mushrooms), and aromatic fats (olive oil/chicken fat).

  • Excess sodium: reformulate brine; leverage herbs/spices/acids to keep perceived saltiness.

Sustainability and supply chain

  • Consider animal welfare, responsible antibiotic use, feed, and environmental footprint.

  • In-plant: recover bones/skins for stocks/gelatins; treat effluents to BOD/COD targets; use recyclable packaging; full traceability under GMP/HACCP.

Conclusion
Shredded chicken is a versatile, high-protein, mild ingredient for both ready meals and home cooking. Tight control of cooking, moisture, pH/salt, and microbiology ensures safe, juicy, and repeatable results.


Mini-glossary

  • MUFAMonounsaturated fatty acids (e.g., oleic): generally favorable/neutral for blood lipids.

  • PUFAPolyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6/n-3): beneficial when balanced in the diet.

  • SFASaturated fatty acids: excess may raise LDL; moderate overall intake.

  • TFATrans fatty acids: avoid industrial TFA; not present in non-hydrogenated poultry.

  • MCTMedium-chain triglycerides: not characteristic of chicken.

  • awWater activity: high in cooked meat; requires chilling/freezing.

  • MAP/ATMModified-atmosphere packaging: food gases to extend shelf-life.

  • GMP/HACCPGood Manufacturing Practice / Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points: hygiene and preventive-safety systems with defined CCP.

  • CCPCritical control point: step where a control prevents/reduces a hazard.

  • BOD/CODBiochemical/Chemical oxygen demand: wastewater impact indicators.

  • FIFOFirst in, first out: stock rotation using older lots first.

References__________________________________________________________________________

English DR, MacInnis RJ, Hodge AM, Hopper JL, Haydon AM, Giles GG. Red meat, chicken, and fish consumption and risk of colorectal cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2004 Sep;13(9):1509-14.

Abstract. Background: Red meat and processed meat consumption have been associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer in some, but not all, relevant cohort studies. Evidence on the relationship between risk of colorectal cancer and poultry and fish consumption is inconsistent.  Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 37,112 residents of Melbourne, Australia recruited from 1990 to 1994. Diet was measured with a food frequency questionnaire. We categorized the frequency of fresh red meat, processed meat, chicken, and fish consumption into approximate quartiles. Adenocarcinomas of the colon or rectum were ascertained via the Victorian Cancer Registry. Results: We identified 283 colon cancers and 169 rectal cancers in an average of 9 years of follow-up. For rectal cancer, the hazard ratios [95% confidence intervals (95% CI)] in the highest quartile of consumption of fresh red meat and processed meat were 2.3 (1.2-4.2; P for trend = 0.07) and 2.0 (1.1-3.4; P for trend = 0.09), respectively. The corresponding hazard ratios (95% CIs) for colon cancer were 1.1 (0.7-1.6; P for trend = 0.9) and 1.3 (0.9-1.9; P for trend = 0.06). However, for neither type of meat was the heterogeneity between subsites significant. Chicken consumption was weakly negatively associated with colorectal cancer (hazard ratio highest quartile, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.6-1.0; P for trend = 0.03), whereas hazard ratios for fish consumption were close to unity. Conclusion: Consumption of fresh red meat and processed meat seemed to be associated with an increased risk of rectal cancer. Consumption of chicken and fish did not increase risk.

Chong EW, Simpson JA, Robman LD, Hodge AM, Aung KZ, English DR, Giles GG, Guymer RH. Red meat and chicken consumption and its association with age-related macular degeneration. Am J Epidemiol. 2009 Apr 1;169(7):867-76. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwn393. 

Abstract. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among older people, and diet has been postulated to alter risk of AMD. To evaluate associations between red meat and chicken intake and AMD, the authors conducted a cohort study of 6,734 persons aged 58-69 years in 1990-1994 in Melbourne, Australia. Meat intake was estimated from a food frequency questionnaire at baseline. At follow-up (2003-2006), bilateral digital macular photographs were taken and evaluated for AMD (1,680 cases of early AMD, 77 cases of late AMD). Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios, adjusted for age, smoking, and other potential confounders. Higher red meat intake was positively associated with early AMD; the odds ratio for consumption of red meat > or =10 times/week versus <5 times/week was 1.47 (95% confidence interval: 1.21, 1.79; P-trend < 0.001). Similar trends toward increasing prevalence of early AMD were seen with higher intakes of fresh and processed red meat. Conversely, consumption of chicken > or =3.5 times/week versus <1.5 times/week was inversely associated with late AMD (odds ratio = 0.43, 95% confidence interval: 0.20, 0.91; P-trend = 0.007). These results suggest that different meats may differently affect AMD risk and may be a target for lifestyle modification.

Navas-Carretero S, Cuervo M, Abete I, Zulet MA, Martínez JA. Frequent consumption of selenium-enriched chicken meat by adults causes weight loss and maintains their antioxidant status. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2011 Oct;143(1):8-19. doi: 10.1007/s12011-010-8831-x. 

Abstract. To assess the effects of a moderately high-protein intake on the body composition, biochemical, and antioxidant status parameters in young adults depending on either selenium- (Se) or non-enriched chicken consumption. The volunteers (n = 24) that completed the 10-week nutritional intervention were distributed in two parallel groups and randomly assigned to follow an isocaloric diet with moderately high content in protein (30% energy), either with the consumption of four 200 g portions/week of Se- or non-enriched chicken breasts. Blood samples were taken at the beginning and at the end of the study and body composition was monitored during the trial. There was a significant reduction in weight, accompanying a decrease on fat mass in both groups, while fat-free mass remained unchanged during the 10 weeks of intervention, without differences between both dietary groups. Selenium blood levels and plasma glutathione peroxidase activity, as well as lipid, glucose, and selected inflammation biomarkers remained stable during the intervention period in both dietary groups. Frequent chicken consumption, within a controlled diet with a moderately high content in protein, produced a slight but statistically significant weight reduction mainly due to the loss of fat mass. An extra Se supplementation (22 μg/day) in the Se-enriched chicken breast did not affect tachyphylactic antioxidant status of the participants neither inflammatory-related markers after weight loss.

Barbosa ACS, Mendes PS, Mattos G, Fuchs RHB, Marques LLM, Beneti SC, Heck SC, Droval AA, Cardoso FAR. Comparative analysis of the use of natural and synthetic antioxidants in chicken meat: an update review. Braz J Biol. 2023 Oct 23;83:e275539. doi: 10.1590/1519-6984.275539. 

Abstract. The search for healthy foods has attracted the industry's attention to developing products that use natural ingredients, including natural antioxidants. Antioxidants act as free radicals or oxygen scavengers, inhibiting lipid oxidation and adversely affecting meat products' sensory and nutritional quality. Several synthetic antioxidants have been used in the meat industry; however, studies point to health risks related to their consumption. Such fact drives research into natural antioxidants extracted from grains, oilseeds, spices, fruits, and vegetables, which may have a health-promoting effect. This manuscript evaluates the effectiveness of several natural antioxidants in improving the quality and shelf life of chicken meat products during processing, storage, and distribution. The potential effects of natural antioxidants widely used in chicken products are also discussed. It can be concluded that these natural antioxidants are possible substitutes for synthetic ones. However, their use can affect the product's characteristics.

Connolly G, Campbell WW. Poultry Consumption and Human Cardiometabolic Health-Related Outcomes: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2023 Aug 11;15(16):3550. doi: 10.3390/nu15163550. 

Abstract. Poultry meats, in particular chicken, have high rates of consumption globally. Poultry is the most consumed type of meat in the United States (US), with chicken being the most common type of poultry consumed. The amounts of chicken and total poultry consumed in the US have more than tripled over the last six decades. This narrative review describes nutritional profiles of commonly consumed chicken/poultry products, consumption trends, and dietary recommendations in the US. Overviews of the scientific literature pertaining to associations between, and effects of consuming chicken/poultry on, body weight and body composition, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are provided. Limited evidence from randomized controlled trials indicates the consumption of lean unprocessed chicken as a primary dietary protein source has either beneficial or neutral effects on body weight and body composition and risk factors for CVD and T2DM. Apparently, zero randomized controlled feeding trials have specifically assessed the effects of consuming processed chicken/poultry on these health outcomes. Evidence from observational studies is less consistent, likely due to confounding factors such as a lack of a description of and distinctions among types of chicken/poultry products, amounts consumed, and cooking and preservation methods. New experimental and observational research on the impacts of consuming chicken/poultry, especially processed versions, on cardiometabolic health is sorely needed.

Toh DWK, Wong CH, Fam J, Kim JE. Daily consumption of essence of chicken improves cognitive function: a systematically searched meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr Neurosci. 2021 Mar;24(3):236-247. doi: 10.1080/1028415X.2019.1619984. 

Abstract. Essence of chicken (EC) is a dietary supplement with potential benefits on one's cognitive performance. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the effects of consuming EC on cognitive function, applying extensively represented domains. Six databases were systematically searched to yield 1760 articles. These articles were independently screened to obtain 8 eligible articles with a pooled population of 794 subjects which is more than twice the population size considered in the previous meta-analyses. Largely, favorable effects on cognitive function were observed following daily EC intake, specifically in the working memory domain (standardized mean difference: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.46), one of the core components in executive function which showed statistically significant results. Furthermore, the observed results were also robust to sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses. This suggests that when consumed daily, EC may improve the mental processing aspect of cognitive function amongst the healthy population.

Ahmad S, Ahmed I, Haider S, Batool Z, Ahmed SB. Daily consumption of commercial chicken feed and meat lead to alterations in serum cholesterol and steroidal sex hormones in female rats. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2017 Jan;30(1 Suppl):257-261. 

Abstract. Poultry consumption is increased worldwide owing to better taste, easy availability and low cost. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of the chicken feed, conventional chicken meat and organic chicken meat on the % growth rate, serum cholesterol, progesterone, testosterone and estrogen levels in female rats. Hundred female Albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=25). Group I was control rats fed on standard chow, group II treated with commercial chicken feed, group III rats fed with conventional chicken meat and group IV with organic chicken meat for a period of 6 weeks. % Growth rate, serum cholesterol, progesterone, testosterone and estrogen levels were estimated after the treatment. The present study showed significant increase in growth rate, serum cholesterol levels and imbalance in serum steroidal hormone levels. It is therefore, suggested from the present study that the intake of commercial chicken feed and commercial chicken meat may be the potential cause of development of polycystic ovary syndrome in females due to steroid hormonal imbalance.