Thanksgiving Chicken: 5 Reasons to Serve Chicken Instead of Turkey This Year

Every November, the same question comes up in kitchens across the country: does it have to be turkey? For a growing number of families, the answer is no. A golden, well-seasoned roast chicken looks every bit as festive on the platter, and food writers like the team at Milk Street have made the case that chicken belongs on the Thanksgiving table.

If you have been weighing chicken instead of turkey for Thanksgiving, here are five reasons to make the switch.

1. Thanksgiving Chicken Cooks in a Fraction of the Time

A whole chicken roasts in about an hour and a half, while a big turkey can take most of the day. On a holiday when the oven is the busiest appliance in the house, that difference matters. A shorter roast frees up the oven for casseroles, rolls and pies, and it gives you back the morning you would have spent basting and checking the clock.

How Long to Roast a Whole Chicken for Thanksgiving

A 4 to 5 pound chicken is usually ready in 75 to 90 minutes at 425°F. The surest sign of doneness is a thermometer reading of 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and thigh, which is the USDA's safe minimum for poultry. Let the bird rest for about 15 minutes before carving so the juices settle back into the meat.

2. Roast Chicken for Thanksgiving Works With Any Flavor

Chicken takes on any family's flavors. You can keep it classic with herbs and butter, smoke it low and slow, rub it with Cajun spice, marinate it overnight in jerk seasoning or coat it in pepper. That flexibility makes it easy to honor the traditions at your table, whether your holiday leans Southern, Caribbean, West African or somewhere in between.

Thanksgiving Chicken Recipe Ideas to Try

If you want the familiar holiday taste, an herb butter with sage, thyme and rosemary gives chicken the same aroma people expect from a turkey. Food blogger Plays Well With Butter builds an entire Thanksgiving chicken with herb butter and pan gravy around that idea. For something bolder, a smoked or jerk chicken brings color and spice to a table full of mild sides.

3. A Roast Chicken Is Perfect for a Small Thanksgiving Dinner

You don't need to cook a giant turkey when you're celebrating with a few loved ones. One chicken comfortably feeds four to six people, which makes it the right size for couples, young families and close friends. As Lenox points out in its guide to hosting a small Thanksgiving dinner that feels special, an intimate table gives you room to slow down and enjoy the people around it.

Hosting a bigger crowd? Roast two chickens side by side, and they will still finish well before a single large turkey.

4. Leftover Thanksgiving Chicken Is Easy to Use

Leftover turkey often turns into a week of the same dry sandwich. Leftover chicken is easier to work with because it stays tender and fits into meals your family already eats.

Easy Leftover Chicken Ideas After Thanksgiving

Shred the extra meat into sandwiches, wraps or a hearty salad for Friday lunch. Stir it into soup or pepper soup when the weekend turns cold, or fold it into a pot pie with the leftover vegetables. Save the carcass, too, since it makes a rich stock for the next meal.

5. A Chicken Centerpiece Makes for a Budget-Friendly Thanksgiving Dinner

A right-sized centerpiece leaves room to spend on the dishes your family looks forward to most. That could mean an extra pie, a better bottle of wine or a second protein like goat or beef. Some families take the idea even further. In a Food Network piece defending a turkey-less "Sidesgiving", the writer describes swapping the turkey for roast chickens and putting the effort into the sides everyone actually fights over.

How to Choose the Best Whole Chicken for Thanksgiving

The quality of the bird shapes the whole meal, so start with a fresh, farm-raised chicken rather than a frozen one. Fresh chicken skips the days of thawing that turkey demands and roasts more evenly. Plan on one 4 to 5 pound chicken for every four to six guests, and pick it up a day or two before Thanksgiving so you have time to season it overnight.

At Solomon Farms, our chickens are raised with care and sold fresh and raw, ready for your oven, smoker or grill.

Give Chicken a Seat at the Thanksgiving Table

Turkey may be the traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece, but chicken deserves a seat at the table, too. It cooks faster, fits every flavor, suits smaller gatherings, stretches into easy leftovers and leaves more room in the budget for everything else. If this is the year you try something new, we would be glad to help you start with a good bird. Reserve your fresh Thanksgiving chicken from Solomon Farms before the holiday rush.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving Chicken

Can you serve chicken instead of turkey for Thanksgiving?

Yes. There is no rule that Thanksgiving dinner needs a turkey. A roast chicken pairs with all the classic sides, from stuffing and mashed potatoes to cranberry sauce and gravy, and many families now prefer it.

How many chickens do I need for Thanksgiving dinner?

One 4 to 5 pound chicken feeds about four to six people. For eight to ten guests, roast two chickens, and add a third if you want leftovers.

How long does it take to roast a whole chicken for Thanksgiving?

Most 4 to 5 pound chickens take 75 to 90 minutes at 425°F. Always check that the thickest part of the breast and thigh reaches 165°F before serving.

Is chicken cheaper than turkey for Thanksgiving?

In most cases, yes. Because you buy a smaller bird sized to your group, a chicken centerpiece usually costs less overall and leaves more room in the budget for sides, desserts or a second protein.

What sides go best with Thanksgiving chicken?

Every traditional side works, including stuffing, mac and cheese, candied yams, collard greens, green beans, cornbread and rolls. Pan drippings from the chicken also make a rich gravy.

Where can I buy a fresh whole chicken for Thanksgiving in Memphis?

Solomon Farms raises chickens at the Solomon Retreat Center in Walnut, Mississippi, a short drive from Memphis. We sell fresh, raw whole chickens for the holidays.

Contact us to reserve your Thanksgiving chicken and arrange pickup.