What to Buy Food Best Places to Buy Chicken Online Omaha Steaks is our top recommendation for purchasing chicken on the internet By Carrie Havranek Carrie Havranek Carrie has 10+ years experience as a food writer and editor. Her work can be found in her cookbook, Tasting Pennsylvania, and her site, the Dharma Kitchen. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on February 27, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: Courtesy of Omaha Steaks Americans can’t seem to get enough of chicken, and it’s easy to see why; it’s low in fat, relatively affordable compared to red meat and seafood, and also can be prepared in myriad ways. You might wonder why you’d even bother with trying to find the best places to buy chicken online since chicken is so easily accessible at grocery stores. Maybe you’re looking for the best place to buy organic chicken online, or you want to buy in bulk, fill your freezer, and put off shopping for a few weeks. (There is something incredibly appealing about a fully stocked freezer). Or perhaps you want cuts of chicken that you can’t seem to find at the grocery store. Enter online chicken delivery services. You can pick what you what, when you want, and how you want it delivered. You can also choose the frequency. If you eat a lot of chicken, check out our top picks for purchasing chicken online. Best Places to Buy Chicken Online of 2023 Best Overall: Omaha Steaks Best Variety: Crowd Cow Best Organic: ButcherBox Best for Buying in Bulk: Perdue Farms Best Free-Range: Greensbury Best Pasture-Raised: Cooks Venture Best Premade Chicken: Harry & David Best Overall: Omaha Steaks Courtesy of Omaha Steaks Learn More Key Specs Delivery Area: 50 statesFree Shipping? Yes, for $168.99 and aboveProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Yes, it’s known for its steaks, but Omaha Steaks also sells various uncooked and prepared chicken at affordable prices and will deliver nationwide. Pros and Cons Pros Air-chilled chicken for best taste and texture Antibiotic-free Variety of seasoned, prepared, and unseasoned options Cons No organic choices No whole chickens Overview Omaha Steaks prides itself on the quality of its meats, including chicken. For those who cook a lot of chicken breasts and want high-quality options, the company sells a variety of pre-seasoned chicken breasts, stuffed chicken breasts, whole spatchcocked chicken, and chicken wings. You can either buy by the item or opt for packages with an assortment of chicken preparations. The website offers recipes if you’re looking for inspiration, and customer service is just a phone call away. Pricing and Plans From $19.99 for approximately 20 ounces of chicken breastsFrom $24.99 for whole spatchcocked 2.5-pound chickenFrom $29.99 for four 7-ounce butcher’s cut chicken breastsFrom $39.99 for four 7.25-ounce ham-and-cheese stuffed chicken breasts Best Variety: Crowd Cow Crowd Cow Learn More Key Specs Delivery Area: 48 statesFree Shipping? Yes, with $125 orderProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It If you’re looking for a variety of chicken cuts and preparations, Crowd Cow, a carbon-neutral company, offers a range of sustainable options. It partners with ethical farms and suppliers for high-quality, free-range organic and pasture-raised chicken. Pros and Cons Pros Wide range of cuts available Free membership entitles you to perks and savings Free-range organic and pasture-raised options Cons More expensive than a grocery store Minimum $99 order Overview Crowd Cow’s specialty is sustainable, transparent pasture-raised, organic, and free-range chicken. You can buy nearly any part: wings, breasts, thighs, whole chickens, ground chicken, and drumsticks. Flexible ordering processes make it easy to add on sides or other protein options such as fish, seafood, or beef. We like the extensive, helpful information available on the website, such as guides to cooking chicken safely and favorite recipes. Crowd Cow also makes customer service feel like a priority, with chat, phone, and email options. Pricing and Plans Drumsticks from $6.83 per poundWings from $7.35 per poundBone-in thighs from $7.35 per poundBoneless, skinless thighs from $11.56 per poundPasture-raised chicken breast from $12.09 per poundOrganic free-range chicken breast family pack, 3 pounds from $37.86 Best Organic: ButcherBox Courtesy of Butcher Box Learn More Key Specs Delivery Area: 48 statesFree Shipping? YesProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It ButcherBox offers free-range USDA-certified organic chicken that goes a step further: It’s been humanely raised and is Global Animal Partnership (GAP 3) certified. Pros and Cons Pros High animal welfare standards Free shipping and easy cancellation Curated or custom boxes Cons Can’t order just chicken Difficult to see the full range of options without selecting a plan first Overview ButcherBox, like many brands here, prides itself on transparency, high standards, and organic meat. We like that you can choose among different boxes, either beef and chicken or beef, pork, and chicken. The prices for its boxes are reasonable, considering the selections are organic and come with anywhere from eight to 14 pounds of meat, delivered at four, six, or eight-week intervals that you can pause or cancel anytime. Pricing and Plans Custom box: Starts at $169 per month and includes nine to 14 pounds of high-quality meat; for $306 the big box will get you 18 to 26 pounds of meat. Curated box: Starts at $146 for 8.5 to 11 pounds of meat for the classic, or $269 for the big box, with 16-22 pounds of meat. You choose the type of meat, but ButcherBox chooses the cuts based on what’s available. Best for Buying in Bulk: Perdue Farms Perdue Farms Learn More Key Specs Delivery Area 49 states Free Shipping? Yes, for orders $160 and up, depending on where you liveProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Sure, you can buy this nationally recognized poultry brand at almost any grocery store in the country. Still, if you buy from Perdue Farms directly, you can purchase almost any type of chicken cut you want in bulk and reap significant savings. Pros and Cons Pros Incredibly wide variety Frequent sales Bulk options Cons Can’t guarantee a specific delivery date No overnight or next-day delivery Overview If you’ve got a chest freezer and you and your family eat a lot of chicken, Perdue Farms may be a good option for you. The company has been around for more than 100 years and works with small family farms across the U.S. that prioritize animal welfare and follow the strict guidelines the company sets forth. Select various cuts of chicken, along with breaded nuggets, patties, strips, and tenders (including gluten-free options), or narrow down your choices based on organic, free-range, or pasture-raised preferences. Frequent sales help to incentivize your ordering. Pricing and Plans Chicken can be purchased in packs and bundles. Packs:3-pound pack of drumsticks, from $22.993-pound pack of marinated chicken wings, from $24.993-pound pack of boneless chicken breasts, from $39.99Bundles:15 pounds chicken breasts from $199.9922 pounds organic chicken parts, from $251.9315-pound dark meat bundle, from $115.95 Best Free-Range: Greensbury Greensbury Market Learn More Key Specs Delivery Area: 48 statesFree Shipping? NoProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Greensbury specializes in certified organic, free-range, no added hormones and antibiotic-free poultry. Pros and Cons Pros High-quality, sustainable, free-range chicken À la carte, bulk, and subscription options Good price point Cons No free shipping Limited options for bulk orders Overview With Greensbury, you can be assured the meat you purchase is organic and free-range. This delivery option is good for those who want to mix and match smaller quantities; you can start with as little as a pound of thighs, breasts, or ground chicken. Order à la carte, or opt for a subscription and save 5% and know your chicken will show up every four, six, or eight weeks, depending on your preference. Pricing and Plans 1 pound boneless chicken thighs, from $172 pounds chicken wings, from $211.5-pound boneless organic chicken breasts, from $28Organic, free-range whole chicken, 3 to 4 pounds, from $2810 pounds ground chicken, from $9610 pounds chicken thighs, from $170 Best Pasture-Raised: Cooks Venture Cooks Venture Learn More Key Specs Delivery Area: 50 statesFree Shipping? Yes, to lower 48 statesProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It If you need help finding pasture-raised heritage chicken, Cooks Venture is an excellent resource. Pros and Cons Pros Sourced from independent, regional farms Chicken is air-chilled for optimal flavor and texture Can also order beef Cons Does not sell whole chickens Can only order “boxes,” not à la carte Overview Cooks Venture operates 800 acres of farmland in Arkansas and is known for its unique breed of heirloom chickens. When ordering, you have two choices of box sizes that contain either six or 12 items. Choose among boneless skinless chicken breasts and thighs, chicken tenders, bone-in thighs, drumsticks, wings, and ground chicken. Cooks Venture also offers two different kinds of chicken sausages, along with chicken broth for added variety. Pricing and Plans $159.99 for a six-item box; $289.99 for a 12-item box. You can customize what you put in the box. The boxes contain anywhere from 15 to 18 pounds in the six-item box and double that in the 12-item box. Best Premade: Harry & David Courtesy of Harry & David Learn More Key Specs Delivery Area: 50 states Free Shipping? NoProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Everyone’s favorite fruit basket company is far more diverse than you may realize. Harry & David is also a great resource for comforting, prepared chicken dishes for those short on time. Pros and Cons Pros Fully prepped foods Shipped frozen for easy reheating Ships to all 50 states and overseas Cons Small selection No overnight delivery Overview If you or someone you love could really go for some prepped chicken dishes, Harry & David provides an assortment of classic, standby chicken dishes along with some full-fledged meals. Choose among chicken potpies, chicken Wellington, and hickory-smoked whole chicken. Pricing and Plans Pizzeria Uno chicken calzones (2) from $34.99Pork and chicken mini potpies, (4) from $39.99Teriyaki chicken breasts, about 1½ pounds, from $39.99Chicken Wellington entrées, (4), totaling 2 pounds 4 ounces, from $59 Final Verdict Omaha Steaks wins for the best overall online chicken delivery service. This long-running company knows what it’s doing when it comes to meat delivery. Whether you want air-chilled chicken breasts ready to season and cook or already prepped chicken items (cheesesteaks, kebabs, chicken cordon bleu, or chicken tenders), Omaha Steaks can satisfy any chicken craving. Compare the Best Places to Buy Chicken Online Company Delivery Area Free Shipping Products Arrive Same-/Next- Day Shipping? Minimum Purchase Best Overall Omaha Steaks 50 states Yes, for orders $168.99 and up Frozen Yes $49.99 Best Variety Crowd Cow 48 states Yes, for orders $125 and up Frozen Not guaranteed $99 Best Organic ButcherBox 48 states Yes Frozen No No Best for Buying in Bulk Perdue Farms 49 states Yes, for orders $160 and up, depending on the state Frozen No No Best Free-Range Greensbury 48 states No Frozen Yes $50 Best Pasture-Raised Cooks Venture 50 states Yes, to lower 48 states Frozen No No Best Premade Harry & David 50 states No Frozen No No Guide to Choosing a Place to Buy Chicken Online Price: Much of what you will buy online will be more expensive than what you would pay for in the grocery store or butcher shop. If price is a factor, opt for online resources that offer incentives or sales. Or, consider whether you can buy in bulk and have space in a freezer for such purchases. It can be an economical way of stocking up. Finally, you might decide that it’s worth the extra expense to buy really good-quality meat you can’t get elsewhere, such as pasture-raised, heritage, organic, and/or free-range. Trim: If chicken is trimmed, it simply means that it’s boneless and skinless. Most of the time that’s what will be sent to you unless it’s a prepared item (such as Harry & David’s products) or breaded tenders or nuggets. Some of the companies offer bone-in, skin-on thighs, for example, and this is clearly indicated in the accompanying photos and descriptions. Raised Without Antibiotics: Many people are concerned about how chickens are raised and how that transfers into what you consume. Antibiotics are one such area of concern. If a company says, “no antibiotics,” it means antibiotics have not been administered via the chicken’s feed, its water, or by injection. Prior to 2017, farmers could give antibiotics to promote growth in chickens.Fed a Vegetarian Diet: This claim on chicken packaging indicates that the chicken’s feed does not contain animal byproducts. However, if chickens are pasture-raised or free-range, they are likely eating grubs, bugs, and worms. The labeling won’t typically indicate “fed a vegetarian diet,” because those practices are more commonly found in commercial chicken farming.Non-GMO Project Verified: Chicken that bears this designation means that the feed the animals consumed did not contain GMOs. Many online chicken delivery services follow organic, regenerative, or more traditional farming methods that will eschew the use of GMOs. (If chicken is USDA-certified organic, for example, that also means the feed is free of GMOs).Return Policy: It might feel risky to buy meat from a company and have it shipped to your house, so it’s always a good idea to investigate the return policy. Most companies let you return meat that you can’t consume, especially if it arrived at your home in an unusable state. Customer Service: Checking out customer reviews, either on the site itself or elsewhere on the internet, can be really helpful. Sometimes a company’s social media account will be a good resource. Using a company’s chat, 800 number, or email is also a useful way to determine how it interacts with customers. What Are the Benefits of Buying Chicken Online vs. in the Grocery Store? If you buy chicken online, you never have to leave your house to do so, and you can arrange the shipment frequency to suit your needs. This can be handy if you consume a lot of meat. Buying online gives you access to a wider variety of cuts and chicken types: organic, pasture-raised, etc. It can be helpful to comparison shop and then make decisions accordingly. Frequently Asked Questions How Do You Know if Chicken Is Still Safe to Eat Upon Delivery? These companies know they need the chicken to remain under 40°F for it to be safe and edible upon delivery. So, if the package is still cold and the chicken’s packaging remains intact, it should be safe to eat. Observe the chicken itself; if it has a funny, off odor or smell, or the color looks unusual, then it may not be safe to eat. If it has thawed or you’re concerned, call the company; it should be able to address any concerns you may have. Is Chicken Bought Online High Quality? Typically, the type of chicken you can buy online is of a higher quality; it’s partially what drives companies to create the service. They often offer specialized meats such as pasture-raised or organic, or heritage-breed chickens that are hard to find in conventional stores. How Long Does Chicken Last When Bought Online? The chicken you buy online is not necessarily different from the chicken you’ve purchased in the grocery store or at your butcher, except it’s been frozen when it’s very, very fresh. You’ll want to keep it frozen until you are ready to eat it. Your orders will typically come with storage, defrosting, and reheating instructions, but chicken should generally keep several months in the freezer if it’s properly wrapped beforehand. Methodology To determine the best places to buy chicken online, we looked at over a dozen companies to differentiate their offerings. We evaluated the cost, variety, taste, and uniqueness of what each company offered, such as pasture-raised or fully prepared items, etc. We considered things like ease of ordering and accessibility of customer service and the degree to which the company follows sustainable practices for its farming and shipping materials. Our panel comprises a team of culinary professionals; chefs, food writers, caterers, recipe developers, and cookbook authors. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! 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