If you loved Just Meats and you’ve been trying to find something similar since they closed, I think I may have found a real alternative worth talking about. It’s called The Chicken Pound, and after paying for my own order, unboxing it, cooking it, and eating it across multiple meals, I have a lot to say.
This review is based on real use, real meals, and real opinions. No hype. No sponsored talking points. Just what you actually get, how it tastes, what it costs, and whether it makes sense compared to cooking chicken yourself.
Table of Contents
Quick Verdict: Is The Chicken Pound Worth It?
If your goal is high protein, minimal effort, and consistent results, The Chicken Pound does exactly what it claims. The chicken is fully cooked, heats in about 60 seconds, and stays surprisingly moist for chicken breast. The flavors are solid, the macros are strong, and the convenience factor is real.
Is it cheap? No.
Is it convenient? Absolutely.
Would I order it again? Yes.
If you’re busy, training, meal prepping, or just sick of cooking chicken every week, this is one of the better ready-to-eat grilled chicken delivery services I’ve tried.
What Is The Chicken Pound?
The Chicken Pound is an online meal delivery company focused entirely on lean, pre-cooked chicken breast. Everything arrives frozen or very cold, fully cooked, and portioned so you can heat it up and eat within minutes.
They lean heavily into the fitness and athlete crowd, and it shows. High protein counts, clean ingredients, and simple prep are clearly the priority here. That said, after testing it myself, I don’t think this service is limited to athletes at all.
How The Chicken Pound Works
You can either:
- Build your own box
- Choose a curated box
- Subscribe and save 10%
You pick your flavors, portion sizes, and delivery cadence. You can pause or cancel anytime, which I always like to see with subscription food services.
Orders ship early in the week and arrive packed with thick insulation and dry ice. My box arrived very cold, with everything fully frozen and intact.
Who This Service Is Built For
Based on both their branding and my experience, this works well for:
- Athletes and bodybuilders
- People focused on high-protein diets
- Busy parents
- Anyone post weight-loss surgery who needs easy protein
- Campers or travelers who want quick meals
- Anyone tired of cooking chicken every week
What Comes in the Box
One thing I really liked is that you can choose exactly what goes in your box. I picked multiple flavors to get a real sense of consistency across their lineup.
Chicken Cuts, Portions, and Packaging
Everything I received was chicken breast, fully cooked and portioned. Most items came in 16-ounce packages with two 8-ounce servings. Some were vacuum-sealed packs, others were tray-style, similar to what Just Meats used to do.
Packaging was solid:
- Thick recycled cardboard insulation
- Paper layers
- Dry ice
- Everything arrived very cold
No complaints here.
Ingredient Quality and Nutrition Standards
The Chicken Pound uses:
- Antibiotic-free chicken
- No hormones
- Clean ingredient lists
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Real spices
Most flavors are gluten-free, with very low sugar. Protein content is strong across the board, with most 8-ounce servings landing between 60–70 grams of protein.
Taste Test and Flavor Reviews
This is the most important part. Convenience doesn’t matter if the food tastes bad.
Teriyaki Chicken Review
This was one of my favorites. The chicken stayed moist, the teriyaki flavor was balanced, and it didn’t taste overly sweet. For chicken breast, this held up extremely well. I would absolutely reorder this one.
Balsamic Chicken Review
Very juicy, with a lighter sauce than expected. This felt more like a balsamic vinaigrette flavor profile. It would work great on salads or wraps. Another solid option that reheated well without drying out.
Buffalo Chicken Review
Good heat, not overpowering. The sauce thins out a bit when heated, so coverage isn’t perfect, but the chicken itself was tender and flavorful. A thicker sauce would make this even better, but I’d still order it again.
Chicken Vodka Review
This one surprised me. Creamy, mild, and very different from the rest of the lineup. It worked better than expected and paired well with pasta. Definitely one of the more interesting flavors they offer.
The Chicken Pound Lemon Herb Review
This was another standout. Strong lemon flavor, but well balanced with herbs. The sauce looked heavier in the package but was actually pretty light once heated. Clean, fresh, and very easy to eat regularly.
Italian-Style Chicken Meatballs Review
These were good, especially considering they’re chicken. They don’t taste like beef or pork meatballs, but they hold their own. I’d probably heat them in sauce or a slow cooker rather than pan frying next time, but I’d still reorder them.
Cost Breakdown: The Chicken Pound vs Cooking at Home
This is where people will either love it or hesitate.
Price Per Pound Explained
I paid for my order with my own money. My first order was large, and shipping was extra unless you hit a higher spend threshold. Free shipping kicks in around the 20-pound range, which is a bit steep for some people.
Compared to cooking chicken at home:
- Raw chicken is cheaper
- But you’re paying for convenience, time savings, and consistency
They claim users save around 6 hours per week by skipping cooking, weighing, and portioning. For busy people, that matters.
Is the Free Shipping Threshold Worth It?
Personally, I think the free shipping threshold could be lower. Around $150–$200 would feel more reasonable. That said, if you’re already ordering in bulk for meal prep, it may not be a deal breaker.
The Chicken Pound vs Trifecta
This comparison comes up a lot.
- Full meals
- Less flexibility
- Higher cost per meal
- Protein-only focus
- More flexible
- Easier to build meals your way
If you want complete meals, Trifecta may make more sense. If you want control and just need high-quality protein, The Chicken Pound wins here.
Customer Service Experience
This is an area where The Chicken Pound really impressed me.
You can:
- Call them
- Email them
- Text them
Yes, text them.
When I needed to change my order due to an appointment, I got a response within minutes. That’s rare in this space and worth mentioning.
Who Should Order The Chicken Pound (And Who Shouldn’t)
This Is a Great Fit If You:
- Want high-protein meals fast
- Hate cooking chicken
- Track macros
- Meal prep weekly
- Train regularly
- Want consistent results
You May Want to Skip If You:
- Are on a very tight budget
- Prefer cooking everything from scratch
- Want full meals instead of protein-only options
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does The Chicken Pound chicken last in the fridge?
Once thawed, it’s best eaten within 5–7 days. Always follow the packaging instructions and store it properly.
Is The Chicken Pound good for athletes?
Yes. The high protein-to-calorie ratio, clean ingredients, and fast prep make it ideal for athletes and active lifestyles.
Are there coupon codes for The Chicken Pound?
Occasionally. Check my site and email cheat code newsletter for the latest deals when available.
Final Verdict: Would I Order Again?
Yes, I would.
The Chicken Pound fills a real gap left by Just Meats. It’s convenient, high protein, and actually tastes good. It’s not perfect, and it’s not cheap, but it delivers exactly what it promises.
For nights when I don’t want to grill, smoke, or cook, this is an easy win. If high-protein, ready-to-eat meals fit your lifestyle, The Chicken Pound is absolutely worth checking out.
If you try it, let me know what flavors you go with first.
