Chicken ham, also sometimes called chicken bologna or pressed chicken, is a processed meat product made to resemble traditional ham. While traditional ham is made from pork, chicken ham is made from chicken or turkey meat that has been processed and shaped to look like sliced ham.
What Parts of the Chicken are Used?
Chicken ham can be made from various parts of the chicken, including:
- Chicken breast – This is the leanest part of the chicken and provides the mildest flavor.
- Chicken thighs – Dark chicken meat from the thighs provides more fat and flavor.
- Ground chicken – A combination of meat and skin ground up can provide an affordable base for chicken ham.
- turkey meat can also be used in place of chicken
Manufacturers can use one specific cut of chicken or a blend of different cuts to achieve the desired texture and fat content in the final chicken ham product.
How is Chicken Ham Made?
The process for making chicken ham is similar to how traditional cured ham is made. The main steps include:
- Selecting and preparing the chicken – Chicken parts are closely trimmed and may be partially cooked or cured. Dark meat pieces are often used for more fat and flavor.
- Grinding – The chicken is ground up and mechanically separated to extract muscle tissue and fat. The texture is then similar to ground meat.
- Mixing – The ground chicken is mixed with water, salt, phosphates, nitrates/nitrites, and other binders and preservatives.
- Emulsifying – The mixture is finely chopped and emulsified to distribute fat evenly and achieve a smooth, uniform texture.
- Pumping – The emulsified meat blend is injected into casings or molds.
- Cooking – The shaped meat is then cooked with steam or hot water to finalize the texture.
- Slicing and packaging – After cooking, the chicken ham “logs” are cooled, sliced, and packaged for retail sale.
Unlike traditional dry cured ham, chicken ham is fully cooked during manufacturing. The ingredients and processing allow it to have a stable shelf life without continued curing or smoking.
Typical Ingredients in Chicken Ham
While the main component of chicken ham is poultry meat, other ingredients are often added to enhance flavor, texture, and shelf life:
- Water – Added to emulsify, cook, and adjust finished moisture content.
- Salt – For flavor and preservation.
- Phosphates – Improves moisture retention and bind/emulsify the proteins.
- Nitrates/nitrites – Preservatives to inhibit bacterial growth.
- Sugars – For sweetness and color development from reactions with proteins.
- Corn syrup solids – Provides sweetness and humectant properties.
- Seasonings – Spices, herbs, smoke flavors, etc. for more ham-like flavor.
- Binders – Starches help bind water and fat to chicken proteins.
- Acidulants – Citric acid regulates pH.
- Colorings – Cochineal extract, caramel colors, etc. modify color.
The ingredients and proportions used depend on the manufacturer’s formula. Low-cost chicken ham may have higher amounts of water, while premium products emphasize muscle meat content.
| Ingredient | Typical Proportion |
|---|---|
| Chicken Meat | 65-90% |
| Added Water | 5-30% |
| Salt | 1-3% |
| Sugars | 0-2% |
| Phosphates | 0-2% |
| Nitrates/Nitrites | 10-500 ppm |
| Binders | 0-5% |
| Flavors & Seasonings | 0-2% |
As you can see, chicken is the predominant component, followed by water and different functional additives. The ingredients work together to create a meat product that looks, tastes, and feels like sliced ham.
Why Make Chicken Ham?
There are a few reasons why chicken ham products are popular:
- Lower cost – Chicken is usually cheaper than pork. Chicken ham can provide a less expensive alternative to traditional ham.
- Milder flavor – Some find the flavor of chicken to be milder than cured pork ham.
- Novelty – The unique concept of chicken ham provides an interesting new option for consumers.
- Versatility – Chicken ham can be used similarly to deli ham for sandwiches, pizza toppings, salads, etc.
- Nutrition – Chicken ham is often lower in fat and calories compared to regular ham.
The lower price point and more neutral flavor of chicken ham makes it appealing for many applications where regular ham would be too strong or too expensive.
How Does Chicken Ham Taste Compared to Pork Ham?
The taste of chicken ham is designed to resemble cured pork ham, but there are some differences:
- Saltiness – Chicken ham usually has a high salt content to compensate for less inherent flavor in chicken.
- Smokey flavors – Chicken ham relies more on liquid smoke extracts rather than true wood smoking.
- Sweetness – More sugar is added to chicken ham to balance the saltiness.
- Spices – More robust spice blends give chicken ham a “hammy” flavor profile.
- Texture – Binders and phosphates make chicken ham moist, but it can have a softer bite compared to pork ham.
- Aftertaste – Some brands of chicken ham leave a slick mouthfeel or chicken-like aftertaste.
In general, chicken ham tends to be saltier, softer, and less complex than cured and smoked pork ham. But when sliced thin for sandwiches, the differences become more subtle. Overall, chicken ham provides a cost-effective substitute for many ham applications.
How Healthy is Chicken Ham?
Here is a comparison of the basic nutritional values of chicken ham versus regular cured pork ham per 3 ounce serving (about 3 slices):
| Nutrient | Chicken Ham | Pork Ham |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 70 | 110 |
| Protein | 12g | 15g |
| Fat | 2g | 5g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.5g | 2g |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1g |
| Sodium | 680mg | 950mg |
As you can see, chicken ham is significantly leaner and lower in calories compared to regular cured ham made from pork. It has less fat, saturated fat, and sodium.
However, chicken ham is still a heavily processed meat product. It contains added sodium, nitrates/nitrites, and other additives that should be consumed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet.
How to Use Chicken Ham
Chicken ham can be used in many of the same ways you would use regular sliced deli ham:
- Sandwiches – Chicken ham makes an excellent lunch meat for sandwiches and wraps.
- Breakfast – Add some slices to eggs, omelets, biscuits, or toppings for hash.
- Salads – Diced chicken ham can add protein, flavor, and visual appeal to salads.
- Snacking – Roll up chicken ham slices with cheese for easy protein-packed snacks.
- Pizza – Chicken ham can substitute for pepperoni or pork ham as a pizza topping.
- Quesadillas – Grilled chicken ham and cheese quesadillas are quick and tasty.
- Omelettes or scrambles – Diced chicken ham is a flavorful addition to egg dishes.
- Soup – Throw some diced chicken ham into bean soups, tomato soup, chili, etc.
For best results, chicken ham should be thoroughly heated or cooked before serving. Cold chicken ham tends to be saltier and have more obvious differences from pork ham.
Where to Buy Chicken Ham
Here are some places you can readily find chicken ham and similar poultry luncheon meat products:
- Grocery stores – Check the packaged lunch meat section near other sliced ham and turkey.
- Big box stores – Stores like Costco and Sam’s Club often carry large packages of chicken ham.
- Discount grocery stores – Stores like Aldi have chicken ham under their private label brands.
- Online – Chicken ham can be purchased from online specialty meat retailers and shipped.
- Delis – Some sandwich shops and delis may slice chicken ham for sandwiches to order.
Popular brands to look for include Hillshire Farm, Hormel, and Applegate. Store brands also offer inexpensive chicken ham options. Prices range from about $3-7 per pound.
Can I Make My Own Chicken Ham?
It is possible to make a version of chicken ham at home, but it will not have the same appearance, texture, and shelf life as commercial products. Here is a basic recipe to try:
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground chicken (combination of white and dark meat)
- 1 cup water
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1⁄4 tsp cured pink salt
- 1⁄4 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the ground chicken, water, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pink salt, and breadcrumbs until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer the mixture to loaf pan, pressing down to form a compact loaf shape.
- Bake at 350°F for 45-60 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove from oven and allow the chicken ham loaf to cool completely before slicing.
- Slice and enjoy!
Keep in mind homemade chicken ham lacks the phosphates and binders used in commercial products, so it will have a softer, more delicate texture. It also won’t keep as long and needs to be refrigerated and eaten within 3-4 days.
Conclusion
Chicken ham is a processed meat made from poultry instead of pork. Manufacturers use chicken breast, thighs, or a blend of meats which are ground, mixed with water, salt, phosphates, binders, and flavorings, then cooked. The result is a product that resembles sliced ham in appearance, texture, and flavor. But chicken ham tends to be softer, saltier, and more mildly flavored compared to true cured ham.
The main appeal of chicken ham is providing a lower cost alternative to pork ham. Many people also prefer the lighter flavor and nutrition profile of chicken ham. It can be used similarly to regular ham in sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and other dishes.
While chicken ham can make an interesting change from beef and pork luncheon meats, it is still a heavily processed product that should be eaten in moderation. Homemade versions with simpler ingredients can also provide a fresh take on this pseudo-ham.