Demystifying Chicken Ham: A Complete Guide to this Unique Deli Meat

Chicken ham, which is called “torihamu” in Japanese, is a versatile food that can be made tender and tasty without any special tools. This can be made at home by anyone because it only takes 3 ingredients and 2 ways to do it. It tastes great on its own, in salads and sandwiches, and especially with ramen instead of pork chashu. You can add protein and nutrients to a meal with this tasty chicken ham. It’s also great for people who are on a low-carb or low-calorie diet.

Chicken ham has become an increasingly popular deli meat option for health-conscious consumers looking for a leaner alternative to traditional pork ham. But what exactly is chicken ham? How is it made and how does it differ from regular ham? This definitive guide will uncover everything you need to know about this distinctive poultry product

What is Chicken Ham?

Chicken ham refers to a type of cured smoked and seasoned poultry product made from chicken or turkey meat. It is designed to mimic the taste, texture appearance and versality of traditional ham, but without using any pork.

To make chicken ham, chicken or turkey breast meat is brined or cured, then slow-smoked or cooked. Seasonings like salt, sugar, spices and nitrates are often added to enhance flavor and achieve the familiar pink hue of ham. The end result is a lean, low-fat lunch meat with the characteristic salty-smoky ham flavor, but from poultry rather than pork.

How Chicken Ham is Made

The production process for chicken ham is quite similar to how traditional ham is made. Here are the basic steps:

Selecting the Meat: Chicken or turkey breast meat is used. The lean breast meat provides an ideal low-fat base.
Trimming and Boning: Excess fat and bones are removed from the breast meat so only the lean muscle remains.
Curing: The trimmed breast meat is immersed in a curing solution or brine. This imparts flavor and preserves the meat.
Seasoning: Ingredients like salt, brown sugar, honey, spices, and sodium nitrite are rubbed on the surface of the cured meat.
Smoking and Cooking: The seasoned meat is then hot smoked or cooked using methods like steaming, baking or roasting.
Slicing and Packaging: Once cooled, the finished chicken ham is sliced and vacuum-sealed for distribution and sale.

So while the main protein source changes from pork to poultry, the general ham production method remains largely the same. This allows the distinctive salty, smoky flavor we associate with ham to be replicated in a lower-fat chicken-based product.

The Benefits of Choosing Chicken Ham

More health-conscious consumers are opting for chicken over pork ham for several important reasons:

Lower in Fat & Calories: Chicken ham contains significantly less fat and calories compared to regular ham. This makes it ideal for weight management.
High in Protein: Chicken ham is an excellent source of lean protein needed for building and repairing muscles.
Lower Sodium: Many chicken ham products have reduced sodium content compared to regular ham.
More Inclusive: Chicken ham broadens options for those who avoid pork for religious, cultural or personal reasons.
Versatile: Chicken ham can be seamlessly substituted in recipes calling for regular ham.

For those monitoring fat, cholesterol, sodium and total calories, chicken ham provides a tasty plant-based alternative to enjoy the signature salty, smoky ham flavor they love.

How to Select Quality Chicken Ham

Not all chicken ham products are created equal. Here are a few tips for picking a premium quality chicken ham:

Check the Label: Look for chicken or turkey as the only meat ingredients. Avoid products listing “meat broth” or other vague terms.
Seek Minimally Processed: Opt for chicken hams without excessive nitrates, phosphates or extenders like carrageenan.
Look for Natural Flavors: Ingredients like celery powder, mustard and natural smoke flavor are preferable to artificial flavors.
Consider Sodium Content: For some, a lower sodium option may be a smarter choice. Compare nutrition labels.
Ask about Ingredients: If you have specific dietary needs or restrictions, ask manufacturer for their full ingredient statement.
Understand the Texture: Chicken ham can have a slightly softer consistency than pork ham. This varies by brand.

With a bit savvy label reading and ingredient research, you can find a high-quality chicken ham to suit your preferences and needs.

Enjoying Chicken Ham’s Unique Flavor Profile

Once you’ve selected an appetizing chicken ham, it’s time to enjoy this leaner lunch meat in all its glory! Chicken ham brings its own distinct flavors to the palate:

Savory and Salty: The curing and smoking process imparts a classic ham-like savoriness.
Hint of Sweetness: Ingredients like honey or maple syrup lend a subtle sweet tone.
Touch of Smoke: Natural hardwood smoke conveys a grilled, charred nuance.
Mildly Gamey: The poultry source contributes a delicate gaminess compared to pork.
Soft Texture: Chicken ham tends to be slightly softer with a creamy mouthfeel when chewed.

The flavour profile is deeply seasoned, yet lighter on the tongue than fattier pork ham. It satisfies the yen for savory, salty, smoky ham without the higher calories or cholesterol of a pork product.

10 Creative Ways to Enjoy Chicken Ham

From sandwiches to soups, salads to pizzas, chicken ham brings a tasty twist to all kinds of dishes:

Breakfast Sandwiches: Top an English muffin with a fried egg, slice of chicken ham and melted cheese for a savory breakfast sandwich.
Omelets and Frittatas: Dice chicken ham and add it to omelets or baked egg dishes like frittatas or strata.
Pasta Salads: Toss cubes of chicken ham with pasta, vegetables and a vinaigrette or creamy dressing.
Pizza Topping: Scatter diced chicken ham atop your favorite pizza for extra savory flavor.
Quesadillas: Stuff a tortilla with chicken ham, shredded cheese and peppers for a quick and easy quesadilla.
Soups: Throw a few slices of chicken ham into soups like split pea, bean or vegetable for a pop of flavor.
Wraps and Sandwiches: Layer chicken ham with cheese, lettuce, tomato and avocado on sandwiches or wraps.
Snacking: Enjoy thin slices of chicken ham rolled up with cream cheese and pickle spears for an easy nosh.
Salads: Toss chickpea, potato or pasta salads with diced chicken ham for added substance.
Breakfast Pizza: Top a baked pizza crust with scrambled eggs, chicken ham, onion, peppers and cheese for a fun brunch.

Chicken ham is endlessly versatile, seamlessly subbing in for recipes calling for regular ham or Canadian bacon. With its milder flavor, it lets other ingredients shine.

Is Chicken Ham Healthier Than Pork Ham?

Chicken ham is often perceived as the healthier lunch meat option versus traditional pork ham. But does it really offer more nutritional benefits? Let’s examine some key differences:

Fat & Calories: Chicken ham contains around 1/3 less calories and fat than an equal portion of pork ham.
Cholesterol: The cholesterol count in chicken ham is negligible compared to the high cholesterol found in pork products.
Sodium: Some chicken ham options have slightly less sodium, but most are still quite high in salt content.
Preservatives: Chicken ham usually requires less chemical preservatives like nitrites to prevent spoilage.
Allergens: Chicken ham avoids pork, a top allergen, though the poultry source itself can also trigger allergy.

While chicken ham has marked advantages for fat, cholesterol and those avoiding pork for health or religious reasons, both offer high amounts of sodium. And some pre-packaged chicken ham may contain other synthetic additives.

Should You Make Your Own Chicken Ham?

With all the processed lunch meats on market shelves, you may be inspired to make chicken ham from scratch at home. This allows you to control all ingredients and customize flavors to your liking.

Choose Quality Poultry: Seek out high-quality chicken or turkey breast without skin or bones.
Make a Simple Brine: Dissolve salt, sugar and spices in water to create a basic curing brine.
Flavor the Cure: Experiment with ingredients like garlic, peppercorns, bay leaves, juniper berries and citrus zest.
Select Natural Smokiness: Opt for natural smoke flavor rather than liquid smoke.
Cook Thoroughly: Roast, steam or bake the cured meat to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Rest and Chill: Allow chicken ham to rest before chilling thoroughly. Slice and enjoy!

With a few basic curing and cooking skills, you can craft your own custom chicken ham seasoned just the way your palate prefers.

Key Takeaways on Chicken Ham

As we’ve discovered, chicken ham offers a leaner, lower-fat alternative to pork ham with its own unique flavor attributes. Here are the key highlights:

Chicken ham is made from cured, smoked and seasoned poultry meat, typically chicken or turkey breast.
It is manufactured to resemble the taste, texture, color and versatility of pork ham.
Chicken ham contains much less fat, calories and cholesterol compared to regular ham.
The savory, smoky flavor profile is lighter than pork ham, with a subtly sweet, salty taste.
Chicken ham can be substituted in any dish calling for ham, from sandwiches to pizzas.
It provides a good protein-packed option for those avoiding pork or red meat.
Check labels to find chicken ham without artificial additives or excess sodium.

Chicken ham has emerged as a leaner, more versatile version of a lunch meat classic. With its milder flavor and lower fat content, chicken ham can make a nutritious substitute in your favorite ham-centric recipes.

So next time you visit the deli counter, consider picking up some chicken ham to enjoy its singular flavor and nutrition profile. A tasty and healthier alternative, chicken ham is poised to become the new go-to deli meat for health and flavor.

what is chicken ham

You will Need Only 3 ingredients !

This recipe only needs 3 simple ingredients that you’ll already have in your kitchen!

For the most part, a chicken breast weighs about 10 ounces (300 grams).
For a 10-ounce chicken breast, use half a tablespoon of sugar.
Salt : 1 tsp for a 10 ounce chicken breast

How to Butterfly a chicken breast for rolling

To butterfly or spatchcock a chicken means to make the chicken one flat thin layer. This technique makes it easier to cook the chicken evenly. So that we can roll the chicken ham into a round shape like regular ham, we do this. To make the rolling easy, the chicken breast needs to be an even and flat thickness. In Japanese it is called “Kannon biraki”, which is equivalent to butterfly cut in English. Here’s how to do it:

Place a chicken breast on a clean chopping board. Slice the long side of the chicken from the centre to left. Do not cut it completely, but leave a little bit so you can open it up. – Picture 1.

Turn the chicken breast 180° and repeat the above. – Picture 2

Chicken Ham

FAQ

Does chicken ham contain pork?

Chicken ham and turkey ham are both alternatives to traditional pork ham, but they are made from different meats. Here are the main differences between chicken ham and turkey ham: Meat Source: Chicken Ham: Made from chicken meat, usually a mix of ground chicken and other ingredients.

What’s the difference between chicken ham and ham?

Chicken ham is made from chicken meat, while regular ham is made from pork. The taste and texture of chicken ham are similar to regular ham, but it is a healthier alternative for those who do not consume pork.

Do I need to cook chicken ham?

We buy ham from the deli and we don’t need to cook it, which can be confusing. The answer, in short, is if it is cured, smoked or baked, ham is considered “pre-cooked,” and would not technically need to be cooked. This includes the ham that is purchased at the deli.

Is chicken ham halal?

Halal smoked chicken breast ham is a type of deli meat that is made from halal chicken breast. It is a popular alternative to pork-based ham for Muslims who follow halal dietary restrictions. To produce halal smoked chicken breast ham, the chicken breast is first cured with a blend of salt, sugar, and spices.

What is chicken ham?

Chicken ham is a type of ham made from skinless chicken breasts that are cured and cooked to create a lean and healthy alternative to traditional pork ham. It is a popular choice for those who are looking for a low-fat and high-protein option for their meals.

Is ham gluten free?

Ham naturally by itself is gluten-free. Although, many companies made their ham with gluten-containing ingredients like broth, spices, and glazes. So, you must prefer brands that indicate they are gluten-free on the packaging.

How to make chicken ham?

To make chicken ham, you will need skinless chicken breasts as the raw material. Thighs can also be used, but it is recommended to remove the skin and bones before processing. The first step is to prepare a brine by mixing water, salt, saltpetre, sugar, and pimento grains in a deep container.

What is the difference between chicken ham and regular ham?