National Chicken Month
September 1 - September 30
About National Chicken Month
National Chicken Month is celebrated throughout September in the United States, dedicating an entire month to America’s most consumed meat. The observance was established by the National Chicken Council and the US Poultry and Egg Association to promote chicken as a healthy, versatile, and affordable protein choice, and to support the poultry industry during what had historically been one of its quieter trading months of the year.
How to Celebrate National Chicken Month
September offers a full month of opportunities to celebrate chicken in all its forms. Here are eight of the best ways to get involved in National Chicken Month 2026:
- Try a new chicken recipe every week – September has four full weeks, which makes it the perfect opportunity to work through four completely different cooking techniques or cuisines. Try a Moroccan chicken tagine one week, a classic French coq au vin the next, followed by a fiery Korean dakgalbi, and finish with a simple Sunday roast. Variety keeps cooking interesting and helps you get far more from this adaptable ingredient.
- Master the perfect roast chicken – If you have never achieved a truly golden, crispy-skinned roast, National Chicken Month is the time to get it right. The technique involves properly drying the bird before cooking, using high heat, and resting the cooked chicken before carving. Once mastered, a whole roast chicken becomes one of the most economical and satisfying meals you can make.
- Support local and free-range producers – Use National Chicken Month as an opportunity to buy from independent butchers or local farms that raise chickens to higher welfare standards. Free-range and pasture-raised birds typically deliver better flavour and support more sustainable farming practices than intensively reared alternatives.
- Explore international chicken dishes – Chicken is a global ingredient, featuring in the cuisines of virtually every country on earth. September is a great time to cook Japanese karaage, Indian butter chicken, West African peanut stew, or Peruvian pollo a la brasa. Each dish introduces you to new flavour combinations and cooking techniques.
- Cook with the whole bird – A whole chicken offers significantly better value than buying individual cuts. Roast or poach the whole bird, use the carcass for a rich stock, and you have the foundation for multiple meals from a single purchase. Reducing waste and maximising flavour are both worth pursuing during National Chicken Month.
- Visit a local farmers market – Many farmers markets stock fresh, locally raised chicken and poultry products. Buying direct from the farmer supports local agriculture and gives you the opportunity to ask how the birds are raised, what they are fed, and how they are processed.
- Learn about the US poultry industry – The US poultry industry employs over 1.5 million people and supports more than 25,000 family-owned farms. National Chicken Month is a good time to understand where your food comes from, the scale of the industry that produces it, and the welfare and environmental questions shaping its future.
- Share your favourite recipes online – Post your best chicken dishes throughout September using #NationalChickenMonth and #NationalChickenMonth2026. Recipe sharing is one of the most effective ways to inspire others to try something new and celebrate the month as a community.
What is National Chicken Month?
National Chicken Month is a month-long celebration of chicken as a food, observed every September in the United States. It was established by the National Chicken Council, the trade association representing broiler chicken producers and processors in the US, in partnership with the US Poultry and Egg Association. The month was created to promote chicken consumption during September, which had historically been a slower trading period for the industry, and to highlight chicken’s status as a nutritious, affordable, and endlessly versatile protein. Americans consume more chicken than any other meat, and National Chicken Month gives both the industry and food lovers a structured occasion to celebrate that fact. Those interested in how chicken fits into the wider American food calendar will find a natural companion event in National BBQ Day in May, where grilled chicken is always a centrepiece dish.
When is National Chicken Month?
National Chicken Month runs from Tuesday, 1 September to Wednesday, 30 September 2026. It is observed throughout September each year, making the entire month a celebration of America’s favourite protein.
The History of National Chicken Month
The origins of National Chicken Month lie in the economics of the American poultry industry. Chicken consumption in the United States has risen almost every year since the mid-1960s, but September had historically been a quieter month for sales. The peak of outdoor grilling season was winding down, and the holiday season had not yet begun. The National Chicken Council and the US Poultry and Egg Association identified September as an ideal month for a coordinated promotional campaign: one that could extend the grilling season mentality into early autumn and encourage consumers to think creatively about chicken throughout the month.
The campaign has evolved considerably since its early days as a straightforward industry marketing initiative. Today, National Chicken Month is embraced by food media, recipe developers, nutritionists, and home cooks across the country. In 2025, Americans consumed approximately 103 pounds of chicken per capita, nearly twice as much as beef or pork, and that figure is projected to continue rising toward 113 pounds per capita by 2035. The month now provides a platform for discussing not just chicken recipes but also the agricultural, environmental, and animal welfare issues surrounding poultry production in the United States, from the role of family farms to questions about free-range and organic production methods and the industry’s environmental footprint.
Fun Facts About Chicken in America
- Americans consume more chicken than any other meat, with per capita consumption reaching approximately 103 pounds in 2025, nearly double the amount of beef consumed per person.
- Two-thirds of US chickens are raised in just six states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas.
- The US poultry industry employs over 1.5 million people nationwide and supports more than 25,000 family-owned farms across the country.
- US poultry producers generated over 59.3 billion pounds of chicken in 2022, with exports accounting for approximately 4.4 billion dollars in revenue and representing around 16 per cent of global production.
- Chicken consumption in the United States has risen almost every single year since the mid-1960s, while beef and pork consumption has steadily declined over the same period.
- The development of industrial broiler farming in the 1920s and 1930s transformed chicken from a luxury item, once reserved for Sunday meals and special occasions, into an everyday staple accessible at all income levels.
Why National Chicken Month Matters
National Chicken Month matters because it draws attention to one of the most important sectors of American agriculture: a sector that feeds millions of families, supports rural economies, and provides a lean, high-protein food accessible across most income levels. It is also an opportunity to reflect on how chicken is produced, the welfare standards applied to broiler farming, and the environmental footprint of large-scale poultry production. Raising these questions during National Chicken Month encourages more informed consumption throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Chicken Month?
National Chicken Month is an annual September observance in the United States celebrating chicken as a food and highlighting the poultry industry. It was established by the National Chicken Council and the US Poultry and Egg Association to promote chicken consumption during a historically slower trading month and to extend the enthusiasm of the grilling season into early autumn.
When is National Chicken Month in 2026?
National Chicken Month runs throughout September 2026, from Tuesday, 1 September to Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
How much chicken do Americans eat?
Americans consume approximately 103 pounds of chicken per capita per year, making it the most consumed meat in the United States. This figure is expected to continue rising and is projected to reach approximately 113 pounds per capita by 2035, reflecting a long-term shift away from red meat consumption.
Spread the Word
Share your favourite chicken dishes and recipes throughout September using #NationalChickenMonth and #NationalChickenMonth2026. Tag friends, challenge them to try a recipe they have never cooked before, and help celebrate the ingredient that feeds more American families than any other.
Related Awareness Days
- Better Breakfast Month – Also observed throughout September, Better Breakfast Month encourages nutritious morning meals, and chicken is an excellent high-protein breakfast ingredient in dishes from frittatas to breakfast burritos.
- National BBQ Day – Observed on 16 May, National BBQ Day is one of the biggest occasions for grilled chicken in the American food calendar, celebrating outdoor cooking and the full range of BBQ traditions.
- World Food Day – Observed on 16 October, World Food Day highlights global food security and sustainable nutrition, themes directly relevant to the role of poultry farming in feeding the world’s growing population.
Links
- Visit the National Chicken Council for facts, recipes, and industry information
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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