While chicken is probably already a weekly menu staple in your house, veal is an easy swap to elevate your meal instantly. Just like chicken, veal can be seasoned and cooked in a variety of ways, making it a simple switch. Below, we compare the differences and similarities between chicken and veal, including health benefits, flavor, and cooking methods, to help you select the best meat for your next dinner party.
Chicken vs Veal: An Overview
Veal and chicken are deliciously tender, especially when you purchase your meat from a high-quality butcher like Piccinini Bros. Here’s a breakdown of the primary differences between veal and chicken:
Veal
Veal is incredibly tender, with a refined, delicate taste. It’s sourced from young calves that are raised on strict diets that promote soft muscle development and ultimately create this cut’s distinctive tenderness. Great veal is creamy pink with a fine-grained texture, and is sourced from farms that specifically raise these calves. At Piccinini Bros, all our veal is certified USDA Prime, humanely raised, and sourced from reputable farms we partner with, making it the finest quality veal on the market. Veal is delicate and must be cooked with extra care to avoid overcooking and maintain its light and tender texture and flavor.
Chicken
Chicken is versatile, affordable, and can be prepared in a variety of ways, making it one of the most widely used types of meat available. With neutral flavors, it’s a blank canvas that tastes great with nearly any seasoning, marinade, or cooking method. Chicken is forgiving and can withstand tough cooking methods, making it a great choice for beginners who are concerned about overcooking their meat.
Farming & Sourcing
At Piccinini Bros, we partner with several local and domestic farms to ethically source our fresh meat. Our cuts are delivered daily at our shop in Hell’s Kitchen, and are sold the same day. Our free-range chickens are humanely raised on farms right here in New York. Similarly, our veal is sourced from farms that humanely raise these calves and ensure they have a healthy diet that helps the meat maintain its leanness and tenderness.
Nutritional Benefits
Veal and chicken are both healthy meat selections, with a similar calorie count and protein per serving. Here’s how veal and chicken compare when it comes to health benefits:
Veal
Veal is a popular alternative to red meat, as it’s leaner than beef that comes from more mature cows. Veal is also packed with more concentrated amounts of nutrients than your average steak, including twice the amount of Riboflavin and Niacin (which are vital for metabolism and nervous system health). Veal has four times as much vitamin B12 as chicken and higher amounts of amino acids and iron (about 40% more than chicken breast), making it a higher-quality protein source. Veal is also packed with more concentrated amounts of trace minerals like phosphorus and zinc.
Chicken
Chicken is a go-to weeknight staple in many homes. With plenty of health benefits, is an easy choice to be part of your regular menu. Chicken has half the amount of fat as veal and fewer calories. It also contains higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Chicken also contains higher concentrations of Selenium (a powerful antioxidant) and Vitamin B6.
Flavor
Chicken and veal have different flavor profiles (as one is poultry and the other is a red-meat alternative), but both choices are versatile and can be used in a wide range of dishes.
Veal
Veal has a delicate, light, and velvety texture. It’s known for its buttery richness and slightly sweet taste. Veal has a more sophisticated, nuanced flavor, requiring simple cooking methods and light seasoning to enhance its flavor. It’s lighter and less hardy than beef, but cooks like white meat and can withstand a wide variety of cooking methods.
Chicken
Chicken has a neutral and mild flavor that can absorb nearly any type of seasoning or cooking method. It has an adaptive flavor profile, and it can maintain its natural flavors through a variety of cooking methods.
Veal vs Chicken: Cooking Methods
Veal and chicken can be cooked in a variety of ways. Veal is more delicate and requires a more hands-on approach. Chicken can endure a wide range of cooking methods without tasting tough or overdone, making it a powerhouse for new and experienced cooks alike.
Veal
One of the top challenges when cooking veal is avoiding overcooking. Many veal recipes call for thin-sliced cuts like veal cutlets, so every second in the pan counts. Veal is best prepared when it’s thinly sliced into veal cutlets and cooked lightning-fast with light seasonings and marinades like lemon zest, capers, garlic, white wine, and mushrooms. Cuts like veal loin (entrecote) and veal breast have a visible layer of fat. When cooking these cuts, leave the fat on to lock in the tender juices, and wait until after cooking to trim the fat before serving. Veal is best prepared by sautéing, pan-frying, braising, or broiling.
Chicken
Chicken holds up better to high, dry heat without becoming as gamey as veal if overcooked. However, chicken cuts like breast can dry out fast, but darker meat like chicken thighs is more forgiving. The differentiation between white meat and dark meat chicken makes it easy to cook in a variety of ways, such as slow cooking, sautéing, pan-frying, and grilling.
Popular Dishes & Recipes
Here are a few recipes you can try with veal and chicken:
Veal
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Scaloppine (veal cutlets)
Chicken
Veal vs Chicken: What Should You Pick?
When you want a versatile, forgiving meat that you can cook a variety of ways with any type of seasoning, chicken will always be the ultimate go-to selection. If you want meat with a more elevated, refined taste and delicate flavors, veal cutlets are a great selection. In terms of health benefits, veal packs more nutrients and is a better alternative to a high-fat, hearty steak. Ultimately, your pick depends on your recipe. By choosing the best meat for your dish, you’ll bring out the meat’s natural flavors, instantly enhancing your meal.
High-Quality Veal Cutlets and More Available at Piccinini Bros
At Piccinini Bros, we believe every great meal begins with quality proteins. As a Manhattan institution for over 100 years, we take pride in supplying top-tier veal to both local families and the city's finest restaurants. Whether you are looking for veal cutlets, osso buco, or a custom cut, our expert butchers ensure unmatched quality in every order. Experience the difference for yourself by calling 212-246-8277 or shopping online.
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