Eating chicken on Good Friday is a way of showing gratitude for the blessing of food and a reminder that Lent, our pious Christian month of fasting, is coming to an end. As Christians around the world observe this day as a holy time to reflect on their faith and prepare for Easter, many may wonder how they can eat chicken on this day. The answer isn’t as difficult as you might think. There are several ways that you can enjoy chicken on Good Friday with no bad consequences. Eating the bird is an act of penitence, which is why it’s so well-suited to this day. It’s also one of the best ways to ensure your family has plenty of broth-based meals throughout Lent because it’s such a common ingredient in stocks and broths. Broth-based meals are generally considered to be healthier than heavy meats or fried foods, which are most other options for eating chicken on Good Friday.
Can You Eat Chicken on Good Friday?
No, you cannot. Good Friday is a religious holiday in many Christian cultures and eating chicken is not considered kosher.
What To Serve With Chicken On Good Friday?
1. Broth-Based Food
Broth-based foods, like chicken soup, are always a good choice during the Lenten season. Chicken soup is easy to make and can be a tasty way to enjoy the meat on Good Friday. It’s also a good idea to make your broth-based food ahead of time because it’s so easy to keep in the fridge for later use. When you’re ready to eat your chicken on Good Friday, simply add some noodles or rice and enjoy!
2. Noodles with Chicken
You can also enjoy chicken on Good Friday using noodle dishes like those found in Chinese restaurants. Choose from many different types of noodles to create a dish that is both healthy and delicious. The best part about these noodle dishes is that they’re generally quite simple and easy to prepare, which makes them great for busy families who want something quick and easy for dinner on this special day.
3. Fried Chicken
If you’re looking for something more traditional that is great for serving at an Easter brunch, fried chicken is one of the best options available in terms of flavor as well as health benefits because it’s leaner than other meats but still has plenty of flavor and substance. If you want fried chicken but don’t feel like making it yourself, simply order takeout or pick up some frozen fried chicken from the store instead!
4. Roasted Chicken with Vegetables
Roasted vegetables are another healthy option when preparing chicken on Good Friday because they’re also a great source of vitamin C. Roasted vegetables are also easy to prepare and will require only a few minutes of your time, which is something that can’t be said for cooked chicken.
5. Chicken and Rice
Chicken and rice is another popular dish that can be prepared on Good Friday because it’s so simple to make, but also has a great deal of flavor as well as health benefits, such as being cholesterol-free. If you’re looking for an easy dinner idea, try this dish out!
How to cook chicken on Good Friday?
1. Bake or Grill
If you want to cook a whole chicken for dinner on Good Friday, it’s always a good idea to bake your chicken instead of grilling it. Baking is healthier than grilling because it doesn’t use as much fat, but it’s also more time-consuming and requires that you preheat the oven or grill before placing your chicken inside. If you’d like to save time, consider using a rotisserie to cook your chicken instead of baking it in the oven.
2. Roast Chicken
If you’re looking for something even healthier than baking, consider roasting your chicken instead of baking it in the oven. Roasting is not only more time-consuming than baking, but also requires that you create an open flame on top of your food while simultaneously keeping an eye on the meat so that it doesn’t burn or stick to the pan. If you have a rotisserie at home, consider using that instead!
3. Bake Chicken
Baking is another option if you’d like to prepare a whole chicken for dinner on Good Friday without having to preheat an oven or grill first. Baking can be done in the microwave by placing raw chicken inside a glass container and microwaving until cooked through and no longer pink inside (about 15 minutes). This method also allows you to use less fat because there’s no need for oil when cooking with heated air instead of liquid fat. For even more health benefits, try out this recipe!
What is the way of cooking chicken on Good Friday?
1. Seasoning
If you’re looking for a healthier way to cook chicken on Good Friday, consider seasoning it with a salt and pepper mixture before cooking. Salt and pepper are both very healthy spices because they add flavor to the food while also helping to add moisture back into the food.
2. Use Your Hands
There’s no need to use a knife or other utensils when preparing your chicken on Good Friday! Instead, use your hands instead of tools so that you can get a deeper layer of flavor into your meat. This will also help you avoid any cuts in the meat and make sure that it’s fully cooked through before serving.
3. Cook On Low Heat
Another great way to cook chicken on Good Friday is by using low heat instead of an open flame. If you’d like to prepare your chicken this way, turn off the heat under your stovetop burner and allow it to remain cool while cooking the chicken over low heat. This will prevent the burning of both the food and yourself! It’s also a good idea to use aluminum foil when covering your skillet so that there is no direct contact between the pan and hot metal surfaces, which can cause burns or stains on clothing or furniture.
4. No Oven? No Problem!
If you’re looking for an easy dinner idea for Good Friday but don’t have an oven available, consider grilling instead! Grilling requires much less time than baking or roasting but still has all of the health benefits of cooking with heat. This can be done inside on a gas grill, over an open flame, or even on a wood fire! Check out this guide to grilling for more!
5. Don’t Over-Cook Your Chicken
When cooking at home, it’s important to not overcook your chicken on Good Friday. If you do find that the chicken has been cooked through before you want it to be, consider cutting into it now so that it doesn’t become dry and tough. It’s also a good idea to use a meat thermometer when cooking your chicken on Good Friday to ensure that it is cooked through properly without overcooking the meat.
6. Serve With Something Sweet
If you’d like to serve your chicken on Good Friday after cooking it in the oven or using your rotisserie, try serving some of these healthier options instead of traditional side dishes like potatoes and green beans! These include:
Fruit Salad: a mix of fresh berries (strawberries are most common) with sliced apples or pears
Strawberry/Banana Smoothie: Puree 1 ripe banana with 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt and ½ cup of fresh strawberries in a blender until smooth (or use store-bought pomegranate juice for an even healthier alternative)
Summary
If you are celebrating Good Friday with family or friends, you may want to consider serving them a meal that is based on both. The broth is a rich, meaty, and savory base that can be used to make many different types of soups, stocks, and stews. This meal can be simple, or you can add your own spin to it. You can serve the chicken with a wide range of main dishes, including Broth-based soups and stews Mashed potato + beef stew Soups with chicken stock (or other ingredients you like to use in soups) Chilled chicken salads Chicken casseroles Salmon casseroles You can even make chicken stock in contained space. This is perfect for those who like to make homemade soups but have limited space to store them. This is also good for freezing and can be used for other meal preps.
