Chicken is one of the most-widely eaten meats the world over. However, there is still sometimes confusion over whether or not it’s safe for Muslims to eat. If you’re thinking of preparing a tasty dinner but aren’t sure about white meat, is chicken halal or haram?
The simple answer is yes, chicken is halal. But there’s a bit more to this than meets the eye. Keep reading to find out more!
What makes chicken halal?
Chicken is not haram meat – unlike pork, for example, which is forbidden in all its forms throughout Islamic law. However, before eating chicken, you’ll need to make sure it’s prepared according to halal guidelines (following zabiha practices).
Chicken may be considered haram meat if it is killed in a certain way – it needs to be slaughtered according to the guidance of the Quran.
It’s a misconception that chicken is always halal – if there is any doubt, seek a halal-certified butcher or provider.
Muslims may slaughter chickens themselves in line with Sharia laws – but it’s a delicate practice. Many people prefer to simply purchase pre-slaughtered, halal-certified chicken meat outright. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Which UK chains sell halal chicken?
If you’ve ever looked for a restaurant only to find halal chicken is off the menu – or that chicken from your local supermarket isn’t prepared to the same standards – it’s worth doing a little research ahead of time.
Thankfully, there are many different chains and brands that sell halal-certified chicken fit for Muslim consumption.
You’ll be pleased to hear that both KFC and Nando’s – perhaps the two biggest names in chicken cuisine on the British high street – operate halal restaurants up and down the country. Nando’s, for example, has a list of restaurants that only ever use halal chicken.
KFC has, in recent years, also made it easier for Muslim customers to find halal branches near them. Currently, KFC operates around 130 different halal-certified restaurants at the time of writing.
Otherwise, it’s relatively simple to find halal eateries and butchers that provide halal chicken in your local area. TripAdvisor, for example, is a great place to start.
You may also find that some supermarkets trade in halal chicken. However, Tesco in particular states that they don’t sell their chicken as halal as it’s not officially certified.
Again, as a practising Muslim, you should only ever buy and eat chicken from a source that’s confirmed as halal certified.
Conclusion
Chicken, providing it is slaughtered correctly, is halal and safe to eat in line with Islamic practices. Always ask questions of your butcher or vendor – and if you don’t see the halal certified label, it’s worth looking into alternative sources.
Start looking for local butchers through TripAdvisor – or check out a participating KFC!