Ever looked at those scaly little feet after butchering your chickens and wondered what on earth to do with them? You’re not alone! On our homestead, we’ve always believed in using every part of the animal possible, and chicken feet are no exception. These often-overlooked gems are packed with nutrients and have been used in cuisines around the world for centuries.
While many Americans might wrinkle their nose at the thought of cooking with chicken feet (or chicken paws as they’re sometimes called), they’re actually incredibly versatile and nutritious. In fact, you’ve probably eaten them without even realizing it, as they’re commonly used in commercial food products!
Let me share with you 12 amazing ways to use chicken feet, plus some tips on how to prepare them properly. I promise, you’ll never look at chicken feet the same way again!
Why Chicken Feet Are Worth Using
Before diving into the recipes, let’s talk about why chicken feet deserve a place in your kitchen:
- Nutrient Powerhouses: Chicken feet are about 70% collagen! They’re also rich in protein, calcium, and cartilage that are easily absorbed by our bodies.
- Joint Health: The high collagen content makes them excellent for easing muscle and joint pain, reducing arthritis symptoms, and supporting overall joint health.
- Waste Reduction: Using chicken feet means you’re utilizing more of the bird, reducing waste in your homestead or kitchen.
- Unique Texture: They create an incredibly rich, gelatinous texture in broths and soups that store-bought versions just can’t match.
How to Clean and Prepare Chicken Feet
Before using chicken feet in any recipe proper cleaning is essential
- Wash thoroughly: Remember all that chicken manure they’ve walked through! Give them a good rinse or soak to remove dirt.
- Blanch: Bring water to a rolling boil and drop in the feet for about 30 seconds to 5 minutes.
- Remove the outer layer: After blanching, peel off the yellow scaly skin as well as the nails at the tips of the toes.
- Final rinse: Give them one more good rinse before using in your recipes.
Important safety tip: Never use feet from chickens that were sick or if you don’t know how they died.
12 Delicious Ways to Use Chicken Feet
1. Make Rich, Flavorful Chicken Stock or Bone Broth
This is probably the most popular use for chicken feet, and for good reason! The collagen in chicken feet breaks down into gelatin during simmering, creating a broth that’s silky, rich, and incredibly nourishing.
Basic Chicken Feet Broth Recipe
- 2 pounds chicken feet (cleaned and prepped)
- 2 medium onions, quartered
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- Fresh herbs (thyme, sage, parsley, etc.)
- 1 tbsp black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (helps extract nutrients)
- 1 tbsp salt
- 10 cups water
Simmer everything together for 6-12 hours (the longer the better!). The resulting broth will gel when cooled – that’s all the good collagen! This makes an amazing base for soups, gravies, or just sipping on its own.
2. Deep Fry for Dim Sum
In Cantonese dim sum cuisine, chicken feet are a beloved appetizer. After cleaning and trimming, they’re often deep-fried until crispy, then braised in a flavorful sauce.
The contrast between the crispy skin and gelatinous tendons makes them addictively good! Season with soy sauce, sesame oil, and chopped scallions.
3. Braise in a Sauce or Stew
Low and slow braising transforms tough chicken feet into tender, flavorful morsels. Try simmering them in a flavorful tomato sauce, curry, or stew until they’re super soft.
They’ll contribute rich mouthfeel and distinctive chicken flavor to your dish. A sprinkle of fresh herbs at the end brightens everything up!
4. Add to Soups for Extra Body
Want to take your homemade soups to the next level? Add chicken feet! As they simmer, they release collagen that thickens and enriches the broth.
They work great in pho, ramen, Chinese medicinal soups and more. Just remember to remove the feet before serving if you’re cooking for the squeamish!
5. Make Savory Jelly or Aspic
For an old-fashioned accompaniment, turn chicken feet into savory jelly! Simmer the feet until the collagen has fully dissolved, strain and chill the gelatinous liquid to create a wiggly, savory jelly.
You can fold in cooked, shredded chicken meat before chilling to create a traditional chicken aspic.
6. Prepare Mexican-Style Pozole
In Mexican cuisine, pozole is a traditional hominy and meat stew that sometimes includes chicken feet. Their collagen helps thicken the stew while adding richness.
Cook them until extremely soft, then shred and return to the pozole broth along with hominy and aromatic dried chiles. Garnish with cabbage, radishes, avocado and lime.
7. Make Nutritious Pet Food
Our farm dog absolutely LOVES chicken feet! They’re an excellent source of protein and glucosamine for pets, providing natural joint support.
Stew them to soften any bones, then mix the shredded meat into their regular food. You can also dehydrate them for a crunchy treat. Just be sure to cook thoroughly and remove any small bones before feeding to prevent choking hazards.
8. Prepare Filipino Chicken Soto Soup
In the Philippines, soto soup commonly features chicken feet for their rich gelatin. Combined with chicken meat, toasted coconut, and ginger in a coconut milk broth, this soup is pure comfort food.
The feet add body and subtle sweetness to balance the other flavors. Serve with rice or fresh bread on the side.
9. Make Health-Boosting Collagen Broth
Simmering chicken feet makes a bone broth that’s incredibly rich in collagen and nutrients. Regular consumption may provide health benefits like improved gut health and joint support.
For maximum wellness benefits, use feet from pasture-raised chickens. Slow cook with some vinegar to help extract all those minerals and nutrients.
10. Prepare Chicken Feet Adobo
A popular Filipino dish, chicken adobo gains amazing richness when made using chicken feet along with meat. The feet simmer in a salty, sour marinade with soy sauce, vinegar, black peppercorns, bay leaves, and garlic.
The resulting tender chicken and gelatinous feet are served in the thickened adobo sauce, often over rice. The feet really boost the mouthfeel and flavor!
11. Make Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken Feet
This classic Taiwanese street food is named for its three key ingredients: equal parts soy sauce, rice wine, and sesame oil. Garnished with basil and scallions, it has a complex yet balanced flavor profile.
The chicken feet become fall-off-the-bone tender after prolonged stewing. Serve as finger food with plenty of napkins!
12. Use in Cosmetics and Skincare
Bet you didn’t think of this one! The collagen in chicken feet can be used to make natural skincare products. They have anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated skin.
To make a simple moisturizer, boil chicken feet until soft, then puree them with a bit of coconut oil. You can also mix pureed chicken feet with clay and honey for a homemade face mask that draws out impurities!
Preserving Your Chicken Feet or Broth
If you’re not ready to use your chicken feet right away, here are some storage options:
Freezing Chicken Feet:
Simply place clean, dry chicken feet in freezer bags or containers and freeze for later use. They’ll keep for several months.
Preserving Broth:
- Freezing: Pour cooled broth into containers, leaving room for expansion, and freeze for up to a year.
- Pressure Canning: For longer shelf life, pressure can your broth in sterilized jars (20 minutes for pints, 25 minutes for quarts at 10 pounds of pressure).
Tips for Eating Chicken Feet
If you’re brave enough to eat the feet themselves (not just use them for broth), here are some tips:
- Use your hands or chopsticks, not a fork
- Start by biting the joints and sucking the meat off the bone
- Save the footpad for last
- Consider dipping in sauce for added flavor
Frequently Asked Questions
Are chicken feet safe to eat?
Absolutely! Just make sure to cook them thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Why are chicken feet expensive in some places?
High demand, especially in Asian markets like China where they’re considered a delicacy.
Can I use chicken feet for stock?
Yes! That’s actually one of the best uses for them, as they create an incredibly rich, gelatinous broth.
How do I make chicken feet taste good?
Use maltose or honey in the soaking water to add color and sweetness. Rice vinegar in the soaking water helps eliminate any gamey flavor. Fresh ginger and garlic are also great additions.
Final Thoughts
Chicken feet might look a bit weird at first glance, but they’re an incredibly versatile ingredient that deserves a place in your kitchen. Whether you’re making nutrient-dense bone broth, exploring international cuisines, or looking for ways to reduce waste on your homestead, chicken feet have so much to offer.
I’ve been using chicken feet in my kitchen for years now, and the richness they add to broths and stews is unmatched. Plus, I love knowing we’re using every part of the chickens we raise!
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Bone Broth Recipe with Chicken Feet:
- Follow the basic chicken feet broth recipe above, but add a mix of other bones (such as beef, pork, or poultry bones) to the pot.
- Cook for an extended period (24 hours) to ensure all the nutrients are extracted from the bones and feet.
- Strain and store in jars in the fridge for up to a week or you can freeze or can the broth for longer storage.
The Benefits of Chicken Feet
- Rich in Collagen: Chicken feet are packed with collagen, a protein that is essential for maintaining healthy skin, joints, and bones. Collagen helps improve skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, and support joint health by maintaining cartilage.
- Joint Health: The glucosamine and chondroitin in chicken feet are known to support joint health. These compounds are often found in supplements for arthritis and joint pain.
- Bone Health: The high calcium and phosphorus content in chicken feet can contribute to stronger bones, making them a great addition to your diet if you want to improve your bone density.
- Boosts Immune System: Chicken feet contain essential minerals and nutrients that can help boost your immune system, aiding in overall health and well-being.
- Gastrointestinal Health: The gelatin from chicken feet aids in digestive health by supporting the lining of the digestive tract. This can be particularly beneficial for those with leaky gut syndrome or other digestive issues.