How Do You Say Chicken in Italian? The Complete Guide to “Pollo” and Beyond!

Have you ever found yourself in an Italian restaurant, staring at the menu and wondering what that “pollo” word means? Or maybe you’re planning a trip to Italy and wanna brush up on some food vocabulary? Well, I’ve got ya covered! As someone who’s spent countless hours learning Italian food terms (mostly so I could order properly, let’s be honest), I’m excited to share everything you need to know about how to say “chicken” in Italian

The Simple Answer: Chicken = Pollo

Let’s start with the basics. The Italian word for chicken is:

Pollo (pronounced: poh-loh)

That’s it! Simple, right? But wait, there’s actually so much more to know about this versatile word and all the delicious chicken dishes in Italian cuisine.

Beyond the Basics: Chicken-Related Italian Words

In Italian, like in many languages, there are several terms related to chicken depending on what exactly you’re referring to. Here are some important variations:

• il pollo – the chicken (the meat or the animal)
• il pollastro – also means chicken, but typically refers to a young chicken

When we talk about chicken parts or popular chicken dishes, you’ll hear:

• petto di pollo – chicken breast
• ali di pollo – chicken wings
• pollo arrosto – roast chicken
• pollo grigliato – grilled chicken
• pollo fritto – fried chicken
• crocchetta di pollo – chicken nugget
• zuppa di pollo – chicken soup
• brodo di pollo – chicken broth

Why Is It “Pollo” and Not Something Else?

This is where things get interesting! You might wonder why Italian uses “pollo” when Latin used “gallina” (female chicken) and Portuguese uses “galinha.”

The word “pollo” actually comes from the Latin word “pullus” which originally referred to a young animal particularly a young chicken. Over time, as languages evolved from Latin, different Romance languages took different paths

• Italian adopted “pollo” from “pullus”
• Spanish also uses “pollo”
• French uses “poulet”
• Portuguese went with “galinha” (from “gallina”)

Meanwhile, “gallo” in Italian refers specifically to a rooster or cock, coming from the Latin “gallus.”

Pronunciation Guide

Let’s get the pronunciation right:

• Pollo: Say “POH-loh” with emphasis on the first syllable
• Petto di pollo: “PEH-toh dee POH-loh”
• Pollo arrosto: “POH-loh ah-ROHS-toh”

The double “l” in “pollo” has a slightly stronger sound than a single “l” would have, but don’t worry too much about perfecting it – Italians will understand you even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect.

Common Phrases for Ordering Chicken in Italy

If you’re traveling to Italy and want to order chicken dishes, here are some useful phrases:

1. “Vorrei il pollo, per favore.” (I would like the chicken, please.)
2. “Il petto di pollo è buono?” (Is the chicken breast good?)
3. “Come preparate il pollo?” (How do you prepare the chicken?)
4. “Scusi, questo piatto ha il pollo?” (Excuse me, does this dish have chicken?)

Interesting Chicken Dishes in Italian Cuisine

Italian cuisine offers many delicious chicken dishes that go way beyond what we might be familiar with in other countries:

Pollo alla Cacciatora (Hunter’s Chicken)

This classic dish features chicken pieces cooked with tomatoes, onions, herbs, and sometimes olives or wine. The name suggests it was popular among hunters.

Pollo al Marsala

Chicken cooked in Marsala wine, creating a rich, slightly sweet sauce. It’s simple but super flavorful!

Pollo alla Diavola

Spicy “devil’s style” chicken that’s typically flattened, grilled, and seasoned with plenty of hot pepper. Perfect for those who like it spicy!

Involtini di Pollo

These are chicken rolls stuffed with cheese, herbs, and sometimes ham or prosciutto, then baked or pan-fried until golden.

Fun Facts About Chicken in Italian Culture

• In Italy, chicken is often served as a “secondo piatto” (second course), after the pasta or risotto.
• Unlike in America, chicken is rarely combined with pasta in traditional Italian cooking.
• Sunday lunch in many Italian households traditionally features a roast chicken.
• The expression “sei un pollo!” (you’re a chicken!) is used to call someone gullible or easily tricked.

Beyond Food: Other Meanings of “Chicken” in Italian

Just like in English, where “chicken” can also mean someone who is scared, Italian has similar uses:

• codardo – coward (this is the most common translation for “chicken” when referring to someone who is afraid)
• vigliacco – coward, poltroon
• mingherlino – weakling

So if someone calls you a “pollo” in Italy, they’re not calling you scared – they’re saying you’re easily fooled! If they want to call you scared, they’d use “codardo” instead.

A Practical Guide to Shopping for Chicken in Italy

If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen in Italy and want to buy chicken at a market or grocery store, here’s what you might see:

• Pollo intero – whole chicken
• Petti di pollo – chicken breasts
• Cosce di pollo – chicken thighs
• Ali di pollo – chicken wings
• Sovracosce – chicken legs
• Macinato di pollo – ground chicken

When buying chicken at a butcher shop, you might hear: “Come lo vuole il pollo?” (How would you like the chicken?). You can respond with how you want it cut or prepared.

Other Poultry Terms in Italian

While we’re at it, let’s learn some other poultry-related words:

• Tacchino – turkey
• Anatra – duck
• Oca – goose
• Gallina – hen
• Gallo – rooster
• Pollame – poultry (general term)

Wrapping Up

So there you have it! Now you know that chicken in Italian is “pollo,” plus a whole bunch of useful related words and phrases. Whether you’re ordering at a restaurant, shopping at an Italian market, or just trying to impress your friends with your Italian vocabulary, you’re now well-equipped to talk about chicken in Italian.

Next time you see “pollo” on a menu, you’ll not only know what it means, but you’ll also have a deeper appreciation for the word’s origins and how it fits into the broader context of Italian cuisine and culture.

Have you tried any amazing Italian chicken dishes? Or maybe you’ve had an adventure ordering food in Italy? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!

And remember, when in doubt about what to order in Italy, “pollo” is always a safe and delicious choice! Buon appetito!

To pronounce “pollo” in Italian, say “POL-lo“. The first syllable, “pol,” is pronounced like the English word “poll”. The second syllable, “lo,” is pronounced like the English word “low”.

In Italian slang, “che cosa” functions identically to its literal meaning in standard Italian, translating to “what thing?” and used to ask for information, express disbelief, or inquire about the nature of something. It is a more formal, full version of the colloquial phrases “cosa?”