Have you ever wondered if your favorite chicken dinner has biblical approval? Whether you’re enjoying Sunday roast chicken with family or grabbing some quick chicken nuggets understanding what Scripture says about eating poultry might be important to your faith journey. As Christians many of us look to the Bible for guidance on all aspects of life – including our diet.
I’ve researched this topic thoroughly and found that the Bible does have specific things to say about eating chicken. Let’s dive into what Scripture teaches about consuming this popular meat.
God’s Creation of Animals for Food
The Bible begins addressing food in Genesis. After the flood, God told Noah:
“Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.” – Genesis 9:3
This verse establishes a general principle that animals including birds like chickens, were given to humans for food. However this broad permission was later refined with specific dietary guidelines.
Old Testament Dietary Laws
The most specific biblical instructions about eating birds appear in Leviticus 11, where God provides detailed dietary laws to the Israelites. These laws classified animals as either “clean” (permitted to eat) or “unclean” (forbidden).
For birds specifically, Leviticus 11:13-16 states:
“And these you shall detest among the birds; they shall not be eaten; they are detestable: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, the kite, the falcon of any kind, every raven of any kind, the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk of any kind.”
The passage continues listing several more forbidden birds in verses 17-19. Interestingly, chickens are NOT mentioned in this list of forbidden birds. This absence is significant, as it suggests that chickens were likely considered “clean” birds permitted for consumption.
While the Bible doesn’t explicitly say “chickens are clean animals you can eat,” their absence from the prohibited list implies they were acceptable food according to Old Testament law.
New Testament Perspective on Dietary Laws
For Christians today, understanding how New Testament teachings affect these Old Testament dietary laws is crucial. Several passages suggest a shift in how these laws should be applied:
Acts 10:13-15 – Peter’s Vision
“Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ ‘Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.’ The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.'”
This vision was primarily about accepting Gentiles into the faith, but it also had implications for dietary restrictions.
Romans 14:2-3 – Freedom in Food Choices
“One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.”
Paul emphasizes that food choices shouldn’t divide believers, suggesting greater freedom in what Christians can eat.
Mark 7:18-19 – Jesus Declares All Foods Clean
“Are you so dull?” He asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.”
This passage explicitly states that Jesus declared all foods clean, potentially including previously prohibited birds.
Colossians 2:16-17 – Freedom from Judgment About Food
“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”
Paul again emphasizes freedom from dietary restrictions for Christians.
Gratitude and Community in Meals
Beyond just permitting certain foods, the Bible emphasizes the importance of gratitude and community when eating. Several passages highlight this:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
These verses remind us that our attitude toward food matters more than the specific foods we eat. When we enjoy chicken (or any food), we should do so with gratitude to God who provides all things.
Practical Application for Christians Today
So what does all this mean for Christians today who enjoy chicken? Here’s my take:
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Old Testament dietary laws classified birds into clean and unclean categories, with chickens likely falling into the “clean” category (permitted for consumption).
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New Testament teachings generally point toward freedom from dietary restrictions for Christians, with Jesus declaring all foods clean (Mark 7:19).
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The focus shifts from what foods we eat to how we eat them—with gratitude, in community, and for God’s glory.
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Personal convictions still matter, and Romans 14 encourages believers not to judge each other’s food choices.
I believe most Christian denominations today interpret these passages to mean that chicken is perfectly acceptable to eat. The absence of chickens from the prohibited list in Leviticus, combined with New Testament teachings that relax dietary restrictions, provides strong biblical support for including chicken in a Christian diet.
Common Questions About Chicken in the Bible
Why isn’t chicken specifically mentioned as clean in the Bible?
The Bible doesn’t list every clean animal individually. Instead, it provides characteristics of clean animals (like split hooves and chewing cud for mammals) and lists specific unclean birds to avoid. Chickens aren’t on the prohibited list, suggesting they were considered acceptable.
Does it matter that chickens are omnivores?
Some people wonder if chickens’ omnivorous diet (eating both plants and small animals/insects) affects their status. However, the Bible doesn’t classify birds based on their diet but simply lists specific unclean birds. Since chickens aren’t listed, their omnivorous nature doesn’t appear to affect their status.
Should Christians follow kosher laws about chicken?
Jewish kosher laws include specific guidelines for slaughtering and preparing chicken. While Christians can learn from these traditions, most denominations teach that followers of Christ are not bound by these ceremonial aspects of the law (Colossians 2:16-17).
What about blood consumption warnings?
Leviticus 7:26-27 warns against consuming blood: “Moreover, you shall eat no blood whatever, whether of fowl or of animal, in any of your dwelling places. Whoever eats any blood, that person shall be cut off from his people.”
While this prohibition was maintained even for Gentile believers in Acts 15:29, modern chicken preparation typically removes blood, making this less of a concern for most Christians today.
Conclusion: Enjoying Chicken as a Christian
After examining what the Bible says about eating chicken, I believe Scripture gives Christians freedom to enjoy chicken with a clear conscience. The evidence suggests chickens were likely considered clean under Old Testament law, and New Testament teachings generally release Christians from strict adherence to dietary restrictions.
More important than what we eat is how we eat—with gratitude to God, mindfulness of others, and an awareness that all we have comes from Him. When we gather around a table for a chicken dinner with family or friends, we have an opportunity to practice community and thanksgiving, values that are clearly emphasized throughout Scripture.
So go ahead and enjoy that chicken meal! Just remember to give thanks to the God who provides all good things and to use the strength from that meal to serve Him and others.
What are your thoughts about biblical dietary guidelines? Do you follow any specific food restrictions as part of your faith? I’d love to hear your perspective in the comments below!
What does unclean mean?
Things that are called unclean (Hebrew tame) in the Old Testament are the opposite of things that are called clean, pure and holy. Uncleanness separated a person from being able to worship at the temple. The emphasis was not on dirt but on God’s definition of what is pure.
As the words clean and unclean relate to animals, God used these categories to show what animals He intended for sacrifices and to be eaten.
“Animals and foods were also divided into clean and unclean classes. The clean might be eaten; the unclean were forbidden . . . Only clean animals might be offered to God as sacrifices” (Zondervan Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, 1991, p. 169).
The Bible relates following this law to being holy and being like God: “You shall be holy; for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44). It doesn’t explain exactly why specific animals are listed as clean or unclean, but we can know that whatever God tells us to do is for our good (Deuteronomy 10:13).
Are there foods a Christian should not eat?
Yes, the Bible teaches there are meats that are designated as “unclean” (or unfit) for human consumption. These meats include pork, shellfish and the meat of other specific animals, sea creatures and birds. These laws are not ceremonial, but rather, they reveal God’s design of the animals and our digestive system.
To learn about these food laws, read this article and view our infographic listing “Clean and Unclean Meats.”