Food Network star Chef Jet Tila shares his five favorite chicken dishes.
When it comes to cooking flavorful, juicy, restaurant-quality chicken, few chefs know their way around the grocery store like Chef Jet Tila, author, Food Network Personality and owner of Dragon Tiger Noodle Co. From quick weeknight dinners to extravagant weekend meals, Chef Jet knows how to create wow-factor Asian dishes that always delight. From Thai basil chicken to orange, the celebrity chef delivers bold, memorable flavors with every bite — and shares his favorite grocery store chicken varieties to help home cooks bring that same flavor to their kitchens.
Mary’s Free Range Chicken
Mary’s Free Range Chicken has outstanding flavor, meets animal welfare standards, delivers consistent cooking and offers a cleaner, more reliable product than many conventional grocery store options. The brand is a favorite of Chef Jet and he says, “many chefs use this in their restaurants.”
He explains, “This is as close as you can get to restaurant-quality chicken at the grocery store. The texture is firm, it’s not waterlogged, and it actually browns the way it’s supposed to brown. You get a clean flavor and hold whether you’re roasting, grilling, or cooking at high heat.”
Clever Chicken
Smart Chicken raises its birds without antibiotics or added hormones, comes from farms with high social standards, and delivers consistently juicy, flavorful meat that’s cooked reliably in a variety of dishes. Its clean ingredients and ethical practices give consumers confidence while making food preparation easy.
“This is a solid, reliable option that works across the board,” says Chef Jet. It has a clean flavor and performs well in almost any application. Think of it as a reliable everyday chicken that won’t let you down.”
Chicken D’Artagnan
D’Artagnan Chicken is a high quality, humanely raised chicken with a rich, full flavor and excellent texture – qualities that appeal to home cooks and chefs alike.
According to Chef Jet, “This one has more depth and richness than your average bird.” He explains, “The texture is firm and the flavor stands out on its own. It’s great when the chicken is meant to be the star of the dish.”
HEB Chicken
HEB is one of the best grocery store options. From its friendly customer service to its amazing product selection, the Texas-based store deserves the high praise it receives.
“If you’re in Texas, this is one of the best grocery stores you can find,” says Chef Jet. “It’s fresh, versatile, and well-priced for everyday cooking. It handles everything well—from weeknight meals to big prep—and gives you solid results without overthinking it.”
Tyson Chicken
Tyson Chicken is a go-to for many households. It’s been a trusted product for decades and Chef Jet reminds us that it’s not the ingredient alone, but the hands—and the heart—behind it that make the magic happen.
“Tyson is widely available and reliable, which is important,” he says. “It’s not a boutique product, but it’s consistent and gets the job done. If you know your way—the seasoning, the heat, the time—you can still turn this into a great dish.”
Heather Newgen
Heather Newgen has twenty years of experience reporting and writing about health, fitness, entertainment and travel. Heather currently freelances for several publications. Read more about Heather
