Chicken Consumption in India
When you think of food in India, you might picture vegetarian thalis or spicy curries—but chicken consumption in India, the rising intake of poultry across urban and rural households. Also known as poultry eating habits, it’s one of the fastest-growing food trends in the country, even in places where meat was once rare. Contrary to what many assume, India isn’t just a land of vegetarians. In fact, chicken is now the most popular meat, eaten by over 60% of households, especially in states like Kerala, West Bengal, and Telangana.
Why? It’s simple: chicken is cheap, easy to cook, and fits into almost every meal. A plate of butter chicken or grilled chicken curry costs less than a rupee per bite in many local markets. Unlike beef or pork, it doesn’t carry religious baggage, making it acceptable across Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and even some Jain communities. In cities like Delhi and Mumbai, chicken biryani and tandoori chicken are weekend staples. In coastal towns, fried chicken with chili garlic sauce is a street food favorite. Even in villages, where people once ate meat only during festivals, chicken is now a weekly protein source.
What’s driving this change? Younger generations are less tied to old dietary rules. Urbanization means more people eating outside the home, and chicken is the go-to option for quick, tasty meals. Delivery apps push chicken-based dishes hard because they’re profitable and popular. Meanwhile, poultry farms have scaled up dramatically—India now produces over 15 billion eggs and 8 billion chickens a year. The government even tracks chicken consumption as an indicator of rising incomes.
But it’s not just about money. There’s a cultural shift too. In Kerala, chicken stew with appam is a Sunday tradition. In Nagaland, smoked chicken is a ceremonial dish. In Goa, chicken cafreal is as common as fish curry. Even in parts of North India where beef is taboo and pork is avoided, chicken fills the gap. It’s the one meat that doesn’t divide families or spark debates.
You’ll find chicken in slums, in mansions, in roadside stalls, and in five-star hotels. It’s the only meat that crosses every line—caste, religion, income, region. And that’s why it’s not just food—it’s a quiet revolution in how India eats.
Below, you’ll find real stories, regional breakdowns, and surprising data on how chicken became India’s most loved protein—no myths, no fluff, just what people are actually eating.
