Chicken: The Underrated, Unappreciated Other White Meat for Christmas

When people talk about Christmas dinner, the conversation is usually dominated by turkey, beef, or goose. 

Yet quietly, reliably, and rather unfairly overlooked sits chicken, the underrated, unappreciated other white meat that deserves far more festive love than it gets.

Chicken might not arrive with the same fanfare as a towering turkey, but for many households it is the sensible, delicious, and stress-free choice that makes Christmas Day calmer, tastier, and far more enjoyable.

Why Chicken Deserves a Place on the Christmas Table

Chicken has developed a reputation as an everyday meal, which is precisely why it is underestimated. In reality, a well-cooked roast chicken can be just as celebratory as any traditional Christmas centrepiece.

It’s beautifully versatile.

Chicken pairs effortlessly with classic Christmas flavours: sage and onion stuffing, cranberry sauce, thyme, garlic, lemon, honey, mustard, and rich gravy. You can keep it traditional or give it a seasonal twist without intimidating guests who prefer familiar tastes.

It suits smaller gatherings perfectly.

Not every Christmas involves feeding a dozen people. For couples, small families, or those celebrating quietly, a whole chicken is often the perfect size, no overwhelming leftovers, no pressure to cook a bird the size of a suitcase.

It’s far less stressful to cook.

Let’s be honest: turkey anxiety is real. Dry breast meat, undercooked legs, endless resting times. Chicken is more forgiving, cooks faster, and is easier to judge, meaning less time worrying in the kitchen and more time enjoying Christmas itself.

Chicken and the Cost-of-Christmas Reality

With rising food costs, chicken is also one of the most budget-friendly Christmas options available. A quality free-range chicken costs significantly less than a turkey, yet still delivers a proper roast dinner experience.

That saving can be put to better use elsewhere: higher-quality vegetables, indulgent desserts, better wine, or simply easing the financial pressure that Christmas can bring.

Festive Ways to Elevate Chicken

If chicken feels “too ordinary” for Christmas, the secret lies in presentation and flavour:

Stuffed roast chicken with sage, onion, sausage meat, or chestnuts

Herb-butter under the skin for crisp skin and juicy meat

Honey and mustard glaze for a festive golden finish

Lemon, garlic, and thyme for a classic, aromatic roast

Wrapped in bacon for added richness and Christmas indulgence

Served with proper roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, pigs in blankets, and gravy, no one will feel short-changed.

Leftovers That Actually Get Used

One of chicken’s greatest festive strengths is how usable the leftovers are. Cold chicken sandwiches, bubble and squeak, soups, pies, curries, and salads all benefit from chicken’s adaptability. 

Unlike turkey, which often lingers unloved in the fridge, chicken leftovers tend to disappear quickly.

A Christmas That Fits Your Household

Christmas does not need to be performed to a script. It doesn’t need the biggest bird, the longest cooking time, or the most stress. It needs warmth, good food, and people enjoying themselves.

Chicken offers all of that – comfort, flavour, affordability, and flexibility – without the pressure. It may be the other white meat, but at Christmas, it quietly proves itself to be one of the smartest choices you can make.

This year, don’t overlook it. Give chicken the festive respect it deserves.