Do you cut the chicken skin off and toss it aside? You're missing out on important health benefits and loads of flavor. According to Harvard School of Public Health, chicken skin contains healthy, unsaturated fats that lower bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. These unsaturated fats also help keep the chicken moist and flavorful, reducing the need for salt.
Continue reading to learn the top health benefits of eating chicken skin and our all-time favorite recipes.
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Health Benefits
1. Nix sugar cravings and lose weight. When taste buds are satisfied, sugar cravings fly out the window. The extra 50 calories that chicken skin contains is nominal compared to the bag of cookies you may have eaten later, says Find Your Balance Health.
1. Nix sugar cravings and lose weight. When taste buds are satisfied, sugar cravings fly out the window. The extra 50 calories that chicken skin contains is nominal compared to the bag of cookies you may have eaten later, says Find Your Balance Health.
2. Decrease risk of breast cancer. Body Ecology reports a Swedish study found women with diets high in unsaturated fats had a lower risk of breast cancer. While it's not advised to eat loads of chicken skin, leaving it on and incorporating similar healthy fats, like olive oil and nuts, in your daily diet can have a major pay-off.
3. Slow aging. Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant many Americans do not get enough of, reports the American Heart Association. One way to get more of this free radical- and age-fighting vitamin is with unsaturated fats, like chicken skin.
4. Control blood sugar. According to Mayo Clinic, the type of fat found in chicken skin helps maintain insulin levels and reduces a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Recipes
1. Crispy Chicken Skin. This easy-to-follow recipe from Bon Appetit is not recommended for everyday snacking, but is the perfect star appetizer for dinner parties. Simply flatten three-inch pieces of seasoned chicken skin on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with another baking sheet to prevent curling, and bake for approximately one hour, until the skin is crispy.
1. Crispy Chicken Skin. This easy-to-follow recipe from Bon Appetit is not recommended for everyday snacking, but is the perfect star appetizer for dinner parties. Simply flatten three-inch pieces of seasoned chicken skin on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with another baking sheet to prevent curling, and bake for approximately one hour, until the skin is crispy.
2. Chicken Skin Tacos. In this main dish adapted by the New York Times from Nate's Taco Truck Stop in Richmond, VA, crispy chicken skin and deeply flavorful breast meat tastes divine when rolled in a tortilla and topped with sour cream, salsa, and cilantro.
3. Easy Roast Chicken. GQ provides the very best tips for roasting a chicken to perfection. The recipe uses nothing more than a whole chicken (skin on, of course), salt, pepper, and garlic powder. We promise, anyone can master this recipe.
4. Lemon Chicken Breasts. This light recipe from Ina Garten on the Food Network is great for any day of the week. It takes just fifteen minutes to prepare and thirty-five minutes in the oven.
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