Chicken

The most common poultry eaten in the world, chicken is such a versatile ingredient that it can be used in a variety of ways. Nearly the entire bird can be eaten and can be roasted, fried, broiled and stewed. The breast meat is often looked at as lower in fat, but doesn't usually deliver as far as flavour compared to the leg and thigh meat. Chickens are also important for the eggs that they produce, with Britons eating an average of 172 each year.

Chicken is great when cooked up in a quick stir-fry, slow braised in a rich sauce or covered in a spicy rub and thrown on the barbecue. It's also lovely in curries of all kinds, from Thai to Indian. Also try roasting a whole chicken for your Sunday roast, simple and delicious! Pasta is also great when paired with chicken, so try it out with a nice creamy sauce. Of course, when you need comfort food, there is nothing more warming and wholesome than chicken soup.

Check out ITV Food's ultimate guide to chicken .