For many Westerners, the idea of eating chicken feet sounds bizarre. These gnarly, claw-like appendages look far from appetizing However, chicken feet are considered a delicacy across many parts of Asia, as well as regions of Africa and South America
So what’s the appeal? Do chicken feet actually taste good?
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the flavor, texture, and culinary uses of chicken feet. Read on to satisfy your curiosity about this uncommon ingredient!
Chicken feet are the real feet of chickens, complete with claws. In places where chicken feet are popular in the food, they are easier to find and cost less.
In North America and Europe, you’ll typically only find chicken feet in ethnic food stores and specialty butchers. Don’t expect to see them at your mainstream grocery store.
Within the countries that consume chicken feet, they are often stewed or served in soups and stews. The collagen-rich skin and cartilage become tender when slowly simmered, while also imparting body, texture, and nutrients to the dish.
People also like to deep fry chicken feet to make crispy snacks that taste like pork rinds. They can be seasoned with herbs and spices or dipped in sauces.
Now let’s get into the million dollar question…
What Do Chicken Feet Taste Like?
The predominant flavor of chicken feet is mild chicken. The meat itself is faintly similar to dark chicken meat, with an ever-so-slight gamey or irony overtone.
However, that subtle base flavor gets kicked up a notch depending on the preparation method:
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Stewed chicken feet absorb the surrounding spices, aromatics, and sauce ingredients. Expect a richer, meatier flavor profile.
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Deep fried chicken feet taste like a cross between chicken skin cracklings and pork rinds, with crispy saltiness and savory chicken essence.
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Overall, the flavor is somewhat comparable to mild duck or other poultry, but with more gelatinous qualities.
Keep in mind that chicken feet served in soups or stews won’t taste distinctly like “chicken feet”. The stewing liquid dominates the flavor.
The Texture of Chicken Feet
Chicken feet contain a high proportion of skin, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. This gives them a unique mouthfeel:
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The skin gets deliciously crispy when deep fried.
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The collagen-abundant cartilage softens into tender, gelatinous chunks during extended stewing.
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Small soft bone segments can be found inside, but they’re completely edible after cooking.
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You’ll need to spit out the actual nails and claws, which never soften.
When served in soup, the softened chicken feet cartilage has a jiggly, melt-in-your-mouth quality. It’s similar to bone marrow. Deep fried feet have a satisfying crispy crunch.
So the taste itself isn’t too outlandish, but the slick, sticky, soft textures of chicken feet take some getting used to for the uninitiated.
Health Benefits and Nutrition
Chicken feet offer some worthwhile health upsides:
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They provide a concentrated dose of collagen, which may promote skin, hair, nail, and joint health.
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Chicken feet contain glucosamine and chondroitin, compounds linked to reduced joint inflammation.
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As with bone broth, the amino acids in chicken feet may benefit digestion and gut health.
Nutritionally, chicken feet are high in protein, various minerals like iron and selenium, and B-vitamins.
However, they are also fairly high in saturated fat and cholesterol if fried. It’s best to enjoy chicken feet in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet.
How To Prepare and Eat Chicken Feet
Proper preparation is crucial to make chicken feet palatable. Here are some tips:
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Clean fresh feet thoroughly to remove all dirt, blood, and impurities. Use a stiff brush.
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Blanching helps loosen the skin for removal, if desired. Use tongs to peel off skin.
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Parboil fresh chicken feet before stewing to draw out scum and impurities. Discard the water.
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Stew chicken feet for 1-3 hours until ultra tender. Add aromatics, spices, and sauce.
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For deep frying, coat with batter or dry spices. Fry at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until crispy.
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Chill stewed feet fully before serving, as the texture improves after refrigeration.
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Garnish finished dishes with scallions, cilantro, chili oil, or fried garlic.
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Accompany with dipping sauces like chili garlic sauce, black vinegar, or spicy soy.
You can enjoy chicken feet if you get over your fears and follow the right steps and recipe.
Final Thoughts
Chicken feet clearly aren’t for everyone. However, an open mind just may lead you to appreciate this unique, collagen-rich ingredient.
When properly cleaned and cooked, chicken feet offer a mild chicken flavor with tender, gelatinous texture. They work well in Asian soups and stews or as crispy deep-fried snacks.
So next time you spot chicken feet in an ethnic grocer or on a dim sum menu, don’t knock it ’til you try it. You may discover a delicious new delicacy!
Just looking at this strange poultry part with claws attached can elicit a feeling of disgust for the unaccustomed. But don’t let those preconceived ideas stop you from potentially enjoying chicken feet.
How are you supposed to eat chicken feet?
Aim to bite the chicken foot at the joint of the toe, and suck the meat, skin, and sauce off of the bone in your mouth. Spit out the bone, and continue up to the next joint and to the next toe.
My Chicken Feet Recipe
Though this part of the chicken is not as meaty as the rest, they still somewhat taste like chicken. Texture-wise, the abundance of collagen gives them a gelatin-like texture when cooked.
High Schoolers Tried CHICKEN FEET | Taste Test | Food Network
FAQ
Are chicken feet nice to eat?
Chicken feet are loaded in flavor and can be both crispy and delicate in texture, which makes them perfect for deep-frying to use in various traditional Asian …Feb 24, 2025.
Why are chicken feet so expensive?
Chicken feet are very expensive because they are in high demand, especially in China and other Asian markets where they are seen as a treat and used in many dishes.
How do you prepare chicken feet to eat?
To prepare chicken feet for eating, you first need to clean them thoroughly, removing any dirt, scales, and nails. After that, they are usually blanched, boiled, or braised in a tasty broth that has spices, ginger, garlic, and other aromatics in it.
Do chicken feet taste good?
After some time of eating chicken feet regularly, it will probably become quite enjoyable. They’re usually deep-fried and served with chili garlic sauce. You can also grill them or use them for soup. Although chicken feet have very little edible meat on them, they have an interesting flavor as well most people seem to enjoy its taste.
What does deep fried chicken feet taste like?
Deep-fried chicken feet are normally highly seasoned with salt, pepper, soy sauce, and other spices such as cinnamon or star anise. This gives them a warm, aromatic flavor, like a spicy version of crispy roast chicken skin.
What do chicken feet look like?
In many cultures, both whole chicken and chicken legs are sold with feet removed. So, unless you’ve seen a live chicken, you may have never seen what their feet look like! Chicken feet intended for human consumption come from the bottom part of the leg of a chicken, and consist of a foot to which are attached several claws.
Are chicken feet a delicacy?
But in some places, chicken feet are a treat, and they can be cooked in a number of different ways. If you’re used to your chicken arriving with the feet removed, you may be wondering if there is any point in trying this normally discarded part of the bird. But what do chicken feet taste like?.
How to make chicken feet tasty?
To make chicken feet tasty, use herbs and spices such as lemongrass, chili pepper, ginger, cumin, garlic powder, and curry. This will give it more flavor while keeping the meat moist. As you can see from this article, chicken feet is a dish that is popular in many East Asian countries and some other parts of the world.
What do chicken feet symbolize?
In Chinese and African cultures, chicken feet are believed to bring good luck and symbolize the abundance of food and wealth. As far as taste is concerned, chicken feet have very little meat and are mostly composed of skin and cartilage, making them gelatinous and chewy in texture.