When it comes to enjoying a delicious chicken dish, choosing a high-quality brand is essential for ensuring both taste and nutrition. Today, the market is brimming with options that cater to a variety of culinary preferences and dietary needs. From organic and free-range selections to those offering innovative packaging for convenience, these top brands for chicken stand out for their commitment to quality and sustainability. For those interested in exploring the very best that the poultry industry has to offer, continue reading to discover which brands top the list.
Illustration of chicken
Best brands of chicken in 2025
Perdue Farms
Perdue Farms is a leading poultry producer in the United States, holding approximately a 7% market share of the country's chicken production. As the fourth-largest poultry producer, Perdue Farms slaughtered 682,240,000 head annually in 2018 and produced an estimated 64.42 million pounds of ready-to-cook chicken weekly. The company is renowned for its all-vegetarian-fed and no-antibiotics-ever chicken products, with the PERDUE brand being the number-one brand of fresh chicken in the U.S. In 2018, Perdue Foods generated $4.176 billion in overall poultry sales, with 65% of its sales coming from retail channels. Perdue Farms operates internationally, serving markets in Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America. Discover more about their consumer brands and premium proteins offerings.
Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods is a leading global producer of chicken, generating the highest level of sales in the U.S. processed chicken market. In 2020, the company produced approximately 45 million chickens per week, and its chicken segment accounted for 30% of its total sales. Tyson Foods' chicken business rebounded significantly in the 2024 fiscal year, reporting an adjusted operating income of $1.015 billion for the full year. The company's focus on improving live operations and plant efficiencies contributed to this strong performance. Tyson Foods remains a dominant player in the global meat processing market, with a significant presence in over 140 countries. For more detailed statistics, see Tyson Foods statistics.
Pilgrim's Pride
Pilgrim's Pride is one of the world's largest and most esteemed poultry producers, known for its exceptional operational excellence and strong market presence. In the third quarter of 2024, the company reported impressive financial results, including $4.6 billion in net sales, a consolidated GAAP operating income margin of 11.1%, and a GAAP net income of $350 million. Pilgrim's Pride holds a significant market share of 7.88% in the food processing industry as of Q3 2024 and has been recognized for its financial growth, including a compound annual growth rate of 15.70% since 2002. The company's U.S. Fresh portfolio and Commodity segment have shown notable improvements, driven by strong demand and enhanced production efficiencies. Pilgrim's Pride has also been honored as one of the 400 Best Big Companies in America by Forbes, reflecting its commitment to generating long-term value for shareholders. For more detailed financial information, visit their investor relations page.
Foster Farms
Foster Farms, a leading poultry producer on the West Coast, is renowned for its high-quality chicken and turkey products. In 2023, the company impressively produced 23.8 million pounds of ready-to-cook chicken weekly, generating $2.445 billion in sales, with a substantial 72.7% stemming from retail, followed by 20.3% from foodservice, and 7% from exports. Offering an extensive range of 849 products, Foster Farms caters to diverse consumer needs, including USDA Organic and antibiotic-free options, with 10% of its flock certified as USDA Organic and 40% raised antibiotic-free. The company has made significant strides in minimizing antibiotic use, completely eliminating those critical to human medicine in all chicken production processes. Foster Farms operates across various states, including California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Arkansas, Alabama, and Louisiana. For more information, visit their official website.
Sanderson Farms
Sanderson Farms is a leading poultry producer in the United States, ranking as the third largest with a market share of approximately 7.31% as of Q1 2022. Founded in 1947, the company processes over 13.65 million chickens per week and generated more than $3.5 billion in revenue in 2020. It operates 13 processing facilities, 10 hatcheries, and 9 feed mills, employing over 17,000 people. Sanderson Farms is known for its emphasis on product quality and brand awareness, and it has been included in the Fortune 500 list. Following its merger with Wayne Farms in July 2022, it is now part of the privately held company Wayne-Sanderson Farms. For more details, please visit their official website.
Bell & Evans
Bell & Evans, a pioneering, fifth-generation family-owned business and America's oldest branded chicken company, celebrates 125 years in the industry and a decade of organic production. The company produces 100% premium chicken, dedicating approximately 60% of its business to Raised Without Antibiotics chicken and 40% to Organic chicken, with plans to increase organic production to 50% to meet growing customer demands. Renowned for high animal welfare standards, Bell & Evans boasts the world's first Organic Certified Animal Welfare Focused Chicken Hatchery and employs 100% Air Chill production methods. Recently, the company invested in a $330 million, 411,500-square-foot Organic-Certified Chicken Harvesting Facility to double its production capacity. Their products are available nationally at premium health-food markets and upscale retailers like Whole Foods and Wegmans. Learn more about their offerings on the Bell & Evans website.
Wayne Farms
Wayne Farms, now operating as Wayne-Sanderson Farms, is a leading producer of high-quality chicken products, producing 148.1 million pounds of ready-to-cook chicken weekly in 2023. The company holds a significant market share of 5% in the U.S. broiler chicken industry and employs 26,000 people. Founded in 1965, it has expanded its operations through strategic investments, including a new Customer Innovation Center in Decatur, Alabama, and a large feed mill in Ozark, Alabama. In 2021, Cargill and Continental Grain Co. formed a joint venture to acquire Sanderson Farms, further strengthening the company's position. With a global market presence, Wayne-Sanderson Farms caters to evolving consumer demands with products like antibiotic-free and all-vegetable feeds.
Smart Chicken
Smart Chicken, a leading brand in the poultry industry, is renowned for its high-quality, ethically sourced, and humanely raised chicken products. The brand utilizes a unique air-chilling process that preserves the natural flavor and tenderness of the meat, making it a popular choice among consumers seeking superior taste and texture. Acquired by Tyson Foods in 2018, Smart Chicken has capitalized on the rapid growth of the organic poultry market, which saw an 8.6% increase in sales volume from 2016 to 2017, more than four times the rate of conventional poultry. This growth has positioned Smart Chicken as a leader in the organic fresh chicken category. The brand's commitment to quality and innovative processing methods has made it a trusted name in the market. For more information, visit Smart Chicken's website.
Murray's Chicken
Murray's Chicken, founded by Murray Bresky in 1992, is renowned for its commitment to quality and local community support. The brand raises its chickens in the rolling hills of Southeastern Pennsylvania and processes them just over the New York state line in Sullivan County. By partnering with select family farms, Murray's helps strengthen local economies and ensures the highest quality poultry, adhering to Humane Farm Animals Care's stringent requirements. This approach allows farmers to focus on producing broilers with exceptional taste and quality. Murray's dedication to local and humane practices sets it apart as a top producer in the industry. For more information, visit their official website.
Springer Mountain Farms
Springer Mountain Farms is a renowned brand in the chicken industry, celebrated for its commitment to excellent animal welfare and high-quality products. Since 1997, they have been raising chickens without antibiotics, and their feed consists of 100% U.S.-grown corn and soybeans, supporting local agriculture and ensuring nutritional quality. The brand has been American Humane Certified(tm) for over 20 years, meeting stringent science-based animal welfare standards through regular independent audits. This certification has improved the lives of over one billion farm animals. With products available in grocery stores across the East Coast and as far west as Texas, Springer Mountain Farms is trusted by chefs and consumers alike for its superior chicken.
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