Chicken is one of the most common and delicious meats available for consumers, sparking a wide variety of different ways to cook and incorporate it into a meal. Virtually every culture’s cuisine has chicken somewhere in it, but some recipes are certainly better than others.

Starting off with number five, I would vote that roasted chicken is a staple for a good winter meal. To roast chicken, simply put meat in a pan and roast in the oven for a long period of time, usually with seasoning, potatoes and other root vegetables. I put this as number five for practicality; it’s both easy to make and enjoy.

My top fourth choice would be classic grilled chicken. The taste of smoky, charred chicken never fails to impress the neanderthalic instinct to enjoy meals cooked over fire. Grilled chicken is also very heart-friendly and generally considered better for your health since it has a shorter cooking time.

Entering top three, we start off strong with shawarma. Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern street food that is cooked on a slow-roasted vertical spit, shaved off and put into a wrap or plate, then served with sauces and vegetables. I find it to be incredibly tasty and convenient for a quick bite. I decided to put this for number three because I honestly don’t get the chance to eat shawarma as much as I want to.

For second best I chose the iconic cajun-style fried chicken. Anyone who has lived in the American South has probably tasted this spicy, deep fried food. Originating from Louisiana, cajun-style fried chicken is the process of covering the chicken with a thick, seasoned batter, then frying it in oil and sometimes serving it with a side of mac ‘n cheese or french fries. I picked this for number two because while I do think it’s delicious, it’s obviously unhealthy for our body to consume fried chicken all the time.

Finally, as my first choice I’m going to have to go with Peruvian-style slow-roasted chicken. I first tried it at Alpaca in Raleigh, and I immediately knew it was the best chicken I had ever tasted. Peruvian chicken is marinated in a flavorful brine for 24 hours, then slow-roasted over a wood charcoal fire for another several hours before being served with vegetables and sauces. I chose this as my first choice due to the shocking and delicious flavor that has stuck with me since I tried it.

While I have not been able to try every chicken-based meal, I highly suggest readers go out and give new recipes a try. Trying new recipes with familiar ingredients like chicken can aid in experiencing a variety of different flavors that can expand your taste palette and ultimately help one become more well-rounded.