Here Are the Best Places to Buy Chicken Online
Updated: Oct. 12, 2022
There are so many good reasons to buy chicken online, especially when you have this many options to choose from!
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A decade ago, the idea of ordering chicken online would have seemed absurd. Today, it feels just as normal to buy chicken online as it does to order clothes or tech items. And why not? Chicken is not only one of the most consumed meats in the US, but it’s also extremely versatile. It can be grilled, roasted, sauteed, braised and deep-fried, and leftover chicken can be shredded and use to make tacos, sandwiches, salads and more.
Why Should You Buy Chicken Online?
Buying chicken online is an affordable way to get top-notch quality while beating the specialty store price tag. Online retailers may buy and sell in bulk, creating an opportunity to pass on the savings to the consumer. They’re not only able to provide competitive pricing, but they also tend to have a better selection than your local store, too. Most grocery stores don’t carry spatchcocked chicken or bone-in chicken breasts, but you can find both of those items (and more!) online.
Many of the best places to buy chicken online also provide sustainable options. They may list the farm where the chicken was raised and information about the type of feed used or the environment on the farm. You’ll also have options when it comes to labeling, too, which is great if you’re looking for a specific type of chicken (i.e. organic, humanely raised, etc).
What to Look For When Shopping for Chicken Online
Before you start searching for chicken online, it’s important to identify the product you’re interested in. Most grocery stores only give you one or two options, but online retailers have more selection. You’ll want to learn how to read the labels first. Many chicken labels contain marketing terms that aren’t backed by USDA practices. For example, all chickens raised in the U.S. are hormone-free, and “natural” just means that no additives or preservatives were introduced after processing (but sodium solutions and broths can still be added to plump-up “natural” chickens).
As far as freshness goes, you shouldn’t need to worry about it. Most online chicken retailers send the product frozen to keep it preserved, so you’ll just need to make sure you’re home when it’s delivered to pop it in the fridge or freezer. If eco-friendly packaging is important to you, dig into the retailer’s practices or FAQs to see if they ship in styrofoam or in recycled or compostable packages.
The Best Places to Buy Chicken Online
Butcher Box
Butcher Box is one of the original online butcher stores, and they pride themselves on offering 100% free-range organic chicken. You get to choose your box and delivery frequency, and in return, they’ll ship your items (frozen for freshness) in an eco-friendly box. You can create a custom box that selects only poultry cuts (whole chicken, boneless skinless chicken breasts, bone-in chicken thighs or ground chicken). Alternatively, you can select a mix of beef, chicken and pork.
How it works: It starts with a recurring plan, choosing from four curated boxes or creating your own custom box. The price depends on the box size, ranging from $129 for 24 meals to $270 for 60 meals.
Cooks Venture
Cooks Venture was started by one of the founders of Blue Apron. They’re committed to selling chicken raised on GMO-free feed, and they prioritize farms that practice regenerative farming so the chicken is not only good for our bodies but also good for the planet. They offer several different boxed options. You can build a custom box, purchase their whole chicken box (four to six chickens) or choose the select chicken box (six pounds of cut chicken, two spatchcocked chickens and two Poussin specialty hens).
How it works: Order their boxed options as needed. Prices range from $80 for the whole chicken box or $130 for the select chicken box.
Crowd Cow
Crowd Cow started as a way to connect farmers and customers. The company’s co-founder was inspired by his friends that purchase meat directly from local farms, and he wanted to create a way to “crowdfund a cow” so people don’t have to purchase the entire animal. As a result, they only source meats from farmers and ranchers they know, promoting the food transparency movement.
They sell an impressive array of meat, from wagyu beef to duck, lamb and seafood. When it comes to chicken, you have your choice of pasture-raised, organic and free-range chicken cuts. Go simple with boneless skinless chicken breasts, wings or chicken drumsticks. Or you can short-cut dinner by purchasing a spatchcocked chicken (raw or cooked), chicken sausage or premade items like chicken nuggets or bone broth.
How it works: Order items a la carte, with prices ranging from $6 to $20. Family pack sizes ranging from 4 to 20 pounds are available from $33 to $80.
FarmFoods
If you’re looking for poultry options and aren’t specific to chicken, FarmFoods is the way to go. They have a staggering number poultry options, offering pasture-raised chicken, duck, ostrich, phesant, quail, turkey and guinea. In addition to the classic cuts, they also sell items you can only find at a specialty butcher, like chicken feet and chicken gizzards. This is the place to go for value, too. Their value packs are often discounted and include 10 to 40 pounds of meat.
How it works: Order items as needed, with prices ranging from $7 to $19. Value bundles are available for $100 to $350, with free shipping on orders over ten pounds.
Fresh Direct
Fresh Direct is a grocery delivery service available in select areas. Unlike other online chicken retailers, Fresh Direct delivers your food in a refrigerated truck, so it’s not always frozen. They offer both raw, prepped and fully cooked chicken options. You can choose from a variety of chicken producers, allowing you to select the labeling that fits your needs. The options are staggering: whole or cut raw chicken, several ready-to-cook marinated chicken options, chicken burgers and sausages, frozen meals and more.
How it works: Sign up for a free 60-day trial before subscribing to their DeliveryPass subscription, which allows you to reserve a delivery time slot. Prices range from $4 to to $15 per pound, depending on the item.
Harry & David Fine Meats
Harry & David Gourmet has been shipping food via mail order since 1934, from cheese and snacks to their famous sweet pears. The company newly launched a premium new online butcher shop, adding a large selection of high-quality beef, poultry and seafood to their portfolio. In addition to whole organic chickens, you can also order pre-seasoned, ready-to-cook chicken packs, like teriyaki-marinated chicken breasts or bacon and cheese stuffed chicken breasts. They also sell chicken entrees like chicken enchiladas or chicken pot pie.
How it works: Order items a la carte as needed, with prices ranging from $40 to $80.
Omaha Steaks
Omaha Steaks has been around for a while: The company has been in business since 1917, and they’ve been shipping meat via mail order since 1952! While they’re most famous for their steaks, they have a variety of chicken cuts available, including a whole spatchcocked chicken and half chickens. In addition to raw meats, you’ll find a lot of meal kit options here. Stuffed chicken parmesan, chicken fried chicken, chicken skewers with vegetables, baked lemon chicken with orzo and much more.
How it works: Order items a la carte as needed, with prices ranging from $15 to $25. Most of the prepared chicken meals are priced around $20.
Purdue Farms
This fourth-generation family farm teamed up with a network of small family farms and ranchers for their online shop. Their brands include Purdue chicken (fed a 100% USDA-certified vegetarian diet with no animal by-products), Niman Ranch beef and lamb, Coleman Natural Foods pork and chicken and several organic and no-antibiotic-ever chicken producers like Draper Valley Farms and Sonoma Red Bird. This is the place to order if you want to buy bulk, as they offer several value and variety bundles. They also have options when it comes to frozen chicken nuggets and breaded tenders.
How it works: Order a la carte as needed, with prices ranging from $13 to $30. Value bundles are available for $50 to $100.
Rastellis
Rastellis is a neighborhood butcher shop, and they’ve been in the meat business since 1976. They take sourcing meat, poultry and seafood seriously, looking for partners that are as passionate about their craft as Rastellis is. All their meat is antibiotic, steroid and hormone free, and there are organic options for poultry as well. You can choose from all the classic chicken cuts, and they also have a variety of premade items like cheese-stuffed, breaded chicken breasts. Don’t miss out on their gourmet chicken sausages, either: their hot or mild Italian turkey sausage, feta & spinach chicken sausage and roasted red pepper & garlic chicken sausage all sound incredible.
How it works: Order items a la carte as needed, with prices ranging from $20 to $39. Chicken sampler packages are also available for $64.
Thrive Market
Thrive Market is an online market that offers 25 to 50% off retail products on over 6,000 organic, non-GMO and sustainable products. You can trial a membership for 30 days before committing to the annual membership. They sell a variety of products, from food to vitamins and supplements. When it comes to chicken, they sell everything you’d need, including party wings and bone-in chicken breasts. The selection is light on prepared chicken products, but they do sell breaded chicken tenders.
How it works: Sign up for a trial membership before enrolling in the annual membership. Then order items on demand, ranging from $8 to $14. Chicken bundle packs ranging from 10 to 19 pounds are available for $90 to $120.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
The Best Chicken & Dumplings
Homemade chicken and dumplings from scratch harken back to my childhood and chilly days when we devoured those cute little balls of dough swimming in hot, rich broth. It's one of those types of soup you'll want to eat again and again. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona
Instant Pot Sesame Chicken
Your family will love the flavorful sauce in this Instant Pot sesame chicken. And you'll love how quick and easy it is for a weeknight dinner! If you serve gluten-free meals, use tamari instead of soy sauce. — Karen Kelly, Germantown, Maryland
The Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup
No list of the best chicken recipes would be complete without this top-rated soup! My first Wisconsin winter was so cold, all I wanted to eat was homemade chicken noodle soup. Of all the chicken noodle soup recipes out there, this type of soup is my favorite and is in heavy rotation from November to April. It has many incredibly devoted fans.—Gina Nistico, Denver, Colorado
Best Ever Fried Chicken Wings
One of the best chicken recipes ever has to be homemade hot wings. For game days, I shake up these saucy wings. When I run out, friends hover by the snack table until I bring out more. When they ask me how to fry chicken wings, they never believe it's so easy! —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Chicken Parmesan Slider Bake
Sliders are the perfect finger food for any get-together, and this flavorful chicken Parmesan version won’t disappoint. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Pan-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
This one-dish roast chicken with vegetables tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! This is one of the best chicken recipes I have and one of my favorite sheet pan meals. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Flavorful Chicken Fajitas
This chicken fajitas recipe is definitely on my weeknight dinner rotation. The marinated chicken in these popular wraps is mouthwatering. The fajitas go together in a snap and always get raves! —Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, Kentucky
Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken Casserole
This delicious chicken and broccoli casserole recipe is a twist on chicken divan that came from an old boss. It’s quick, satisfying comfort food. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, Illinois
Easy White Chicken Chili
Chili is one of my best cold-weather strategies. This poultry version is one of the best chicken recipes in my recipe box. I use white beans for a twist on the regular bowl of red. It’s soothing comfort food. —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Za’atar Chicken
It's hard to find a dinner that both my husband and kids will enjoy—and even harder to find one that's fast and easy. This is one of the best chicken recipes that fits the bill for the whole family. No matter how much I make of this dish, every morsel is eaten. And while za'atar may sound rather unusual, you'll find that it has a similar taste to the oregano we all love. —Esther Erani, Brooklyn, New York
Creamy Spinach Chicken Dinner
Cleanup is a breeze with this creamy spinach chicken. To make things even easier, tear the spinach with your hands instead of cutting it. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Crispy Fried Chicken
If you've wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. Always a picnic favorite, this deep fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana
Chicken Crouton Casserole
This Chicken Crouton Casserole recipe has practically made my mom famous. When she takes it to get-togethers, it's loved by all who taste it. Whenever she serves it to family, the dish is empty by the end of the meal. —Beth Gramling, Warren, Pennsylvania
Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip
This slightly spicy dip cleverly captures the flavor of Buffalo chicken wings. Using canned chicken eases preparation. —Allyson DiLascio, Saltsburg, Pennsylvania
Creamy Chicken Rice Soup
I came up with this creamy chicken rice soup recipe while making some adjustments to a favorite stovetop chicken casserole. We like this soup for lunch with a crisp roll and fresh fruit. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado
Filipino Chicken Adobo
My mom always makes her saucy chicken adobo recipe when I come home to visit. I think it's even better the next day as leftovers —she says it's because of the vinegar. — Michael Moya, New York, New York
Lemon Chicken with Orzo
Here's a dish that's light and summery but still filling. My kids love all the veggies...for real! If you like a lot of lemon, stir in an extra splash of lemon juice just before serving. —Shannon Humphrey, Hampton, Virginia
Chicken Casserole with Crackers
I never bring home leftovers whenever I take this creamy chicken casserole with Ritz crackers to a potluck. Its mild flavor has broad appeal. I especially like the way that the crumb topping adds a bit of crunch to each meaty serving. —Faye Hintz, Springfield, Missouri
Chicken Barley Soup
No question—this is my favorite barley soup! It's so filling that I serve it as a hearty main dish, and I have given the recipe to many of our friends and relatives. It simply tastes too good to keep to yourself! —Diana Costello, Marion, Kansas
Creamy Chicken and Pasta
Rich, flavorful and laced with wine, this creamy chicken pasta is a family favorite. No one ever guesses it’s so quick and easy! —Elaine Moser, Spokane, Washington
Firefighter’s Chicken Spaghetti
I'm always in the kitchen making dishes for my family, neighbors or the local fire department to try. My husband is a firefighter in our town, and this chicken spaghetti recipe is a favorite there. —Krista Davis-Keith, New Castle, Indiana
Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce
Once you've tried this tangy, yet delicate lemon chicken piccata, you won't hesitate to make it for company. Seasoned with parmesan and parsley, the chicken cooks up golden brown, then is drizzled with a light lemon sauce. —Susan Pursell, Fountain Valley, California
Homemade Chicken Broth
The start of many of the best chicken recipes is a good broth. Make your own seasoned with herbs. Use it in soups, stews and other comfort food recipes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Favorite Chicken Potpie
One of the best chicken recipes you can make at home is a scratch-made chikcne potpie. This one is chock-full of chicken, potatoes, peas and corn, and makes two golden pies, so you can serve one at supper and save the other for a busy night. —Karen Johnson, Bakersfield, California
Herbed Slow-Cooker Chicken
I use my slow cooker to prepare these well-seasoned chicken breasts that cook up moist and tender. My daughter, who has two young sons to keep up with, shared this great recipe with me several years ago. I now rely on cooking chicken in a Crock Pot many days a week.—Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Easy Chicken Enchiladas
This chicken enchiladas recipe is so quick and easy, and I always receive a ton of compliments. It quickly becomes a favorite of friends whenever I share the recipe. Modify the spiciness with the intensity of the salsa and the green chiles to suit your taste. —Kristi Black, Harrison Township, Michigan
Southern Fried Chicken Strips
What's not to love with these crowd-pleasing golden fried chicken strips? A hint of garlic makes this fried chicken tenders recipe irresistible. —Genise Krause, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Chicken Wild Rice Soup
I'm originally from Minnesota, where wild rice grows in abundance and is very popular in recipes. This creamy chicken wild rice soup has been part of our Christmas Eve menu for years. To save time, I cook the chicken and wild rice and cut up the vegetables the day before. —Virginia Montmarquet, Riverside, California
Chicken Casserole
The original old family recipe for this chicken casserole called for the sauce to be made from scratch. Through the years, I developed this version that takes less time to prepare and still tastes great. It's an attractive main dish. —Ruth Van Dyke, Traverse City, Michigan
Air-Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Quick, simple and oh-so-tasty, this air-fryer chicken Parmesan recipe is the perfect weeknight dish to have on hand. It's just as crispy as the classic, if not crispier! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Grandmother’s Southern Chicken ‘n’ Dumplings
When I was a child, my grandmother could feed our entire large family with a single chicken—and lots of dumplings in this Southern chicken and dumplings recipe. —Cathy Carroll, Bossier City, Louisiana
Sunshine Chicken
This recipe is great to serve for large groups because it can be easily doubled and takes little time or effort to prepare. Even my husband likes to make this chicken dish, and he usually hates to cook! —Karen Gardiner, Eutaw, Alabama
Jezebel Chicken Thighs
This easy-to-prepare, sweet and spicy chicken dish is a quick favorite that we make throughout the year. Tender and moist, it's a filling dish for busy weeknights. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisana
Tasty Onion Chicken
The secret to this French onion chicken is the yummy, crunchy coating that keeps the meat juicy and tender. Round out your meal with green beans and buttermilk biscuits. —Jennifer Hoeft, Thorndale, Texas
Texan Ranch Chicken Casserole
Every time I serve this creamy chicken ranch casserole, it gets rave reviews. The recipe was passed down to me and is so good! It's really easy to make, freezes well and has just a touch of heat. If your family likes more, add some jalapenos! —Kendra Doss, Smithville, Missouri
Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup
I tasted a similar soup at Olive Garden and wanted to see if I could re-create it myself at home. Here's the delicious result! It's wonderful on a chilly evening. —Jaclynn Robinson, Shingletown, California
Chicken Potpie Casserole
I always have leftover chicken broth on hand and use it for many things, including this comforting family favorite. You can bake your own biscuits as I do or buy them at the store. I like to bake extra biscuits to eat with butter and jam. —Liliane Jahnke, Cypress, Texas
White Bean Chicken Chili
My sister shared this white bean chicken chili recipe with me. I usually double it and add one extra can of beans, then serve with cheddar biscuits or warmed tortillas. The jalapeno adds just enough heat to notice but not too much for my children. —Kristine Bowles, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chicken & Cheese Noodle Bake
This is the recipe my daughters and I often make for new parents when they come home from the hospital. With its creamy spaghetti filling and melted cheese topping, this casserole holds a nice cut and comforts hungry tummies. —Fancheon Resler, Bluffton, Indiana
Contest-Winning Peanut Chicken Stir-Fry
Here’s a colorful and comforting peanut chicken stir-fry with just a touch of heat from crushed red pepper. If you want even more color, add frozen stir-fry veggies. —Lisa Erickson, Ripon, Wisconsin
Breaded Ranch Chicken
A crunchy coating of cornflakes and Parmesan cheese adds delectable flavor to this zesty ranch chicken. The golden, crispy chicken is a mainstay dish I can always count on. —Launa Shoemaker, Landrum, South Carolina
Mexican Chicken Bake
I've had this Mexican chicken bake recipe for 30 years. Since my kids, grandkids and guests of all ages request it often and it takes only about 30 minutes to make, I have it at least once every other month! —Linda Humphreys, Buchanan, Michigan
Air-Fryer Southern-Style Chicken
I call this America’s best-loved air-fryer chicken recipe. The secret is in the herby, golden brown breading that makes the chicken super moist and flavorful. —Elaina Morgan, Rickman, Tennessee
Contest-Winning Chicken Wild Rice Casserole
While this special chicken and wild rice casserole is perfect for a company dinner, it's so good that I often make it for everyday family meals. We think it is very nice served with some crusty rolls or French bread. —Elizabeth Tokariuk, Lethbridge, Alberta
Chunky Creamy Chicken Soup
I am a stay-at-home mom who relies on my slow cooker for fast, nutritious meals with minimal cleanup and prep time. I knew this recipe was a hit when I didn't have any leftovers and my husband asked me to make it again. —Nancy Clow, Mallorytown, Ontario
Grilled Huli Huli Chicken
I got this grilled chicken recipe from a friend while living in Hawaii. It sizzles with the flavors of brown sugar, ginger and soy sauce. Huli means "turn" in Hawaiian. This sweet and savory glaze is fantastic on pork chops, too. —Sharon Boling, San Diego, California
Baked Lemon Chicken
I found this baked lemon chicken recipe many years ago when my children were toddlers. I've changed it a little over the years to make it my own. Everyone in my family just loves it!
Homemade Chicken Potpie
Why look for potpie in the frozen food aisle when this easy version tastes much better? The chicken pot pie's crust is so tender and flaky, and underneath you'll find the ultimate comfort food for kids and adults. —Amy Briggs, Gove, Kansas
Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken
This is a fabulous slow-cooker ranch chicken recipe that we have passed around to all our friends, especially those who have young children. It's wonderful for a cold winter night or a hot summer day when you don't want to turn on the oven. Serve it as a weeknight family dinner or for a large group. —Sonya Stark, West Jordan, Utah
Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup
A good friend made us this rich, comforting, creamy chicken noodle soup after the birth of our son. It was such a help to have dinner taken care of until I was back on my feet. This yummy dish is so simple to fix that now I give a pot of it (along with the recipe) to other new mothers. —Joanna Sargent, Sandy, Utah
