Chicken - More Than Just Big Breast

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July 9, 2021

Chicken breast is by far one of our most popular selling products.

It's easy to see why people gravitate towards this delicious, simple cut. Chicken breast is easy to cook, can be used for various meals, and almost always turns out moist and juicy.

But there are more parts to a chicken than just the big breast portion.

They have meaty dark thighs and delicious drumsticks.

I want to take a minute to reintroduce the rest of the chicken...

Let's start with the wonderfully delicious and juicy drumsticks:

(click the picture for the recipe)

I'm not quite sure why drumsticks are not as popular. They are great finger food, are moist and juicy, and have fabulous dark meat. Drumsticks are a hit among kids since they love eating with their fingers!

We cooked up a batch of drumsticks the other day. A super simple meal that made everyone happy. We were all fighting for the last drumstick!

Next are the chicken thighs:

If you are looking for a very satisfying meal, chicken thighs will fit the bill. Chicken thighs have an abundance of dark, juicy, flavorful meat on them by leaving the skin on your lock in all that moist and savory chicken flavor.

Finally, you have the humble chicken wings:

Chicken wings have become very popular in the last decade. They are great finger food for game day or a family BBQ.

All these cuts are the "forgotten" parts of the chicken. I argue that they are more favorable than chicken breast. And, these are significantly more economical than the popular chicken breast.

You are in luck. Right now, all these alternative cuts are nicely discounted as we make way for our new batch of chicken. It is the perfect opportunity to stock up a bit while giving some overlooked cuts of our premium pastured poultry a test drive.

You won't be sorry!

We are your one-stop shop for pastured chicken in the Boise area.

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Warm Salmon, Squash & Apple Salad

Warm Salmon, Red Kuri Squash & Apple Harvest Salad At Cunningham Pastured Meats, we love bringing together trusted partners who share our values of quality, transparency, and care. This Warm Salmon, Red Kuri Squash & Apple Salad does just that—pairing vibrant produce from Cliff’s Country Market with premium wild-caught sockeye salmon from Alsek Fish LLC. The result is a hearty, nourishing salad that tastes like autumn in a bowl. 🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4) For the Salad: 1 medium red kuri squash from Cliff’s Country Market, peeled, seeded, and cubed 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt & pepper, to taste 1 ½ pounds Cunningham Pastured Meats Wild-Caught Sockeye Salmon (sourced from Alsek Fish LLC) 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing, if not baking) 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Gala), sliced thin — also available at Cliff’s 6 cups arugula or baby spinach (Cliff’s seasonal greens) ½ cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped Optional: ¼ cup goat cheese or feta For the Maple-Mustard Vinaigrette: ¼ cup olive oil 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard (optional) 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup Salt & pepper, to taste 🔪 Instructions Roast the Squash Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss squash cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a sheet pan and roast 25–30 minutes, flipping once, until tender and caramelized. Cook the Salmon Pan-seared: Heat oil in skillet. Season salmon, cook skin-side down 4–5 minutes, then flip and cook 3–4 more minutes. Baked: Place salmon on parchment-lined pan, season, and bake at 400°F for 12–15 minutes until it flakes. Cool slightly, then flake into hearty chunks. Make the Dressing Whisk vinaigrette ingredients until smooth and emulsified. Adjust to taste. Assemble the Salad Toss greens with half the vinaigrette. Arrange squash, apples, salmon, and pecans on top. Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette. Add goat cheese if desired. 🌊 About the Salmon: Know Your Fisherman Our salmon comes from Alsek Fish LLC, a small fishing family that spends summers in Southeast Alaska and calls the Treasure Valley home the rest of the year. They fish the Alsek River, a glacier-fed river that averages just 39°F. Those icy waters mean salmon from this run naturally carry higher levels of healthy fats and Omega-3s—fuel for their long journey home. Alsek Fish LLC catches and processes every fillet themselves, so when you buy from Cunningham Pastured Meats, you truly know your fisherman. 🌱 About the Produce: Local & Fresh from Cliff’s From the earthy sweetness of red kuri squash to the crisp bite of Idaho-grown apples, all of the fresh produce in this salad is available at Cliff’s Country Market. It’s the perfect way to enjoy seasonal flavors while supporting local growers. ✨ Why You’ll Love It Sweet, savory, nutty, and tangy flavors in every bite Features Cliff’s seasonal produce and Alsek wild-caught salmon Balanced enough for lunch, hearty enough for dinner A celebration of real food from trusted families and local farms

Subscribe & Save 5% Storewide + Free Item with Every Order of $175+!

Subscribe & Save 5% Storewide + Free Item with Every Order of $175+!

Chicken - More Than Just Big Breast

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