What is Chicken Bacon Made Of? A Look at the Ingredients

For those seeking a lower-fat alternative to traditional pork bacon, chicken bacon has become a popular option. But what exactly is chicken bacon made of? The ingredients and manufacturing process differ from traditional bacon in some important ways. Read on to learn all about what goes into making chicken bacon.

Primary Ingredients

The main component of chicken bacon is not surprisingly, chicken meat. More specifically it’s typically made using chicken breast meat or thigh meat. To transform the chicken into bacon form requires adding other ingredients as well.

Chicken bacon also frequently contains “mechanically separated chicken.” This refers to tiny bits of meat scraped off the bone after the prime cuts have been removed. Using this processed meat allows manufacturers to reduce waste and costs. However, some find it unappetizing.

To give chicken bacon its smoky, salty flavor, producers add ingredients like smoke flavoring, salt, and sodium nitrite for curing. Binders and fillers like carrageenan, modified potato starch, and chicken fat help mimic the fatty texture of pork bacon.

The Manufacturing Process

Commercial chicken bacon is mass-produced in factory settings. The manufacturing process involves:

• Grinding chicken meat scraps into a paste
• Mixing the paste with water, salt, curing agents, binders, fillers, smoke flavor, etc.
• Spreading the mixture into thin sheets
• Running the sheets through an oven at low heat to cook and add smoke flavor
• Slicing the sheets into long strips resembling pork bacon
• Packaging and distributing the chicken bacon

The low heat oven cooking gives chicken bacon its signature chewy texture. Controlling the temperature prevents overcooking and drying out the lean chicken meat.

How Homemade Chicken Bacon is Made

It’s possible to make DIY chicken bacon at home with just chicken, salt, and spices. Home cooks use these basic steps:

• Slice raw chicken breasts lengthwise into long, thin cutlets
• Brine the cutlets in a saltwater solution to cure them
• Optional: add spices and sweeteners like brown sugar to the brine
• Smoke the brined cutlets over wood chips to add flavor
• Finish cooking in the oven or pan fry to desired doneness

With this simpler homemade approach, you control exactly what goes into the chicken bacon. No questionable mechanically separated meat or artificial preservatives required.

Key Differences from Pork Bacon

Understanding what chicken bacon is made of highlights a few key differences from traditional pork bacon:

• Lower fat content – Chicken has less natural fat than pork. Chicken fat or oil is added during processing to improve texture.

• Less natural flavor – Chicken lacks the rich, meaty flavor of fattier pork. Smoke flavors and salt are added to boost taste.

• Added binders – Ingredients like carrageenan and modified starches help chicken bacon hold together better.

• Curing agents – Sodium nitrite pinking salts cure the chicken and give it a ham-like quality.

• Higher protein – With less fat, chicken bacon packs more protein ounce for ounce than pork.

Is Chicken Bacon Healthier Than Pork?

Chicken bacon is often perceived as the healthier choice over pork bacon. But is that actually true? Here are some considerations when comparing nutrition:

• Chicken bacon is lower in fat, calories, and cholesterol. A 3-ounce serving has about 1/3 the calories of pork bacon.

• Sodium content depends on brand but can be comparable to regular bacon due to added salt. Check labels to find low-sodium options.

• Chicken bacon contains more protein than pork since poultry is a leaner meat.

• Pork bacon contains more vitamins and minerals (iron, zinc, B vitamins) than chicken.

• Carrageenan and other additives in chicken bacon are controversial regarding gut health impacts.

Overall, chicken bacon makes sense for those limiting fats and calories. But it’s still a highly processed food, so minimal intake is healthiest. Homemade has purity advantages over store-bought.

Common Questions about Chicken Bacon Ingredients

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about what goes into chicken bacon:

Is chicken bacon gluten free?

Most chicken bacon is gluten-free, but check labels since some contain small amounts of wheat or barley.

Does chicken bacon go bad faster than pork bacon?

Yes, it generally has a shorter shelf life of 1-2 weeks compared to 2-4 weeks for cured pork bacon.

Can you make chicken bacon without nitrites?

It’s possible but will lack the cured color and flavor. Leaving them out also reduces safety.

Is chicken bacon made from baby chicks?

No. It’s made from chicken meat leftovers from poultry processed for chicken cuts.

What is in vegetarian bacon?

Vegetarian bacon contains soy protein, coconut oil, flavorings, liquid smoke, and coloring to mimic meat.

Satisfy Bacon Cravings with Chicken

Chicken bacon provides a lower-calorie, leaner way to get your bacon fix. Understanding what it’s made of helps explain the different texture and flavor compared to pork varieties. Regardless of its nutrition profile, moderation of any cured, smoked meat is recommended. But once in a while, a few strips of chicken bacon can be a tasty treat.