Many Christians and curious readers often ask: “Is chicken unclean according to the Bible?”
This question is important for those who want to follow biblical dietary laws or simply understand what the Bible says about food.
What Does Unclean Mean in the Bible?
In the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, God gave the Israelites laws about which animals they could and could not eat. These are often called the kosher laws or dietary laws.
- Clean animals were allowed to be eaten.
- Unclean animals were forbidden.
These rules are found mostly in:
- Leviticus 11
- Deuteronomy 14
The purpose was to keep Israel set apart, holy, and healthy.
What Leviticus 11 Says About Birds
Leviticus 11:13–19 lists unclean birds that must not be eaten. Here’s a short version of the list:
“These are the birds you are to regard as unclean… the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, the red kite, any kind of black kite, any kind of raven, the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat.”
Notice: Chicken is not on this list.
What About Deuteronomy 14?
Deuteronomy 14:11 says:
“You may eat any clean bird.”
Then verses 12–18 repeat the list of unclean birds, similar to Leviticus 11. Again, chicken is not mentioned.
This tells us: ➡️ Chicken is not considered unclean in the biblical law.
How Do You Know Chicken is a Clean Bird?
Let’s look at how chickens behave and why they would be considered clean:
1. Chickens Are Domesticated Birds
- They are not birds of prey (unlike owls or hawks).
- They don’t eat dead animals or scavenge.
- They eat seeds, insects, and grains.
2. Chickens Were Common in Jewish Culture
- The chicken was domesticated and used in ancient Jewish life.
- Roosters are mentioned in the New Testament (Matthew 26:74-75 — Peter’s denial).
- This proves they were familiar animals; not considered “unclean” by Jews.
Did Jesus Say We Should Follow the Old Testament Food Laws?
Now, let’s fast-forward to the New Testament and see what Jesus said.
In Mark 7:18–19, Jesus taught something powerful:
“Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them?… In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.”
This was a huge shift from Old Testament rules. Jesus taught that it’s not what you eat, but what’s in your heart that matters most.
What Did Peter’s Vision Mean? (Acts 10)
In Acts 10, Peter had a vision of unclean animals coming down from heaven. A voice said:
“Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
Peter replied, “Surely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
The voice said, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
Though this vision was about welcoming Gentiles into the faith, it also symbolized the removal of food laws.
Does the Bible Say It’s a Sin to Eat Chicken?
No. There is no verse in the Bible that says eating chicken is a sin.
In fact, the New Testament confirms:
- We are no longer under the Old Law (Galatians 3:24–25).
- All foods are clean (Romans 14:14).
- Each believer can decide for themselves (Romans 14:2-3).
So if you’re wondering whether eating chicken will offend God, the answer is no. What matters most is your heart, not the food on your plate.
Common Questions About Chicken and the Bible
1. Is chicken kosher?
Yes. In Jewish law, chicken is considered kosher, but it must be slaughtered and prepared the right way.
2. Did Jesus eat chicken?
The Bible doesn’t say directly, but it’s likely He did. Chicken was common in that region and culture.
3. Can Christians eat chicken?
Absolutely. There are no New Testament restrictions on eating chicken.
What About People Who Still Follow Old Testament Laws?
Some people, like Seventh-day Adventists or Messianic Jews, choose to follow the clean/unclean food laws today.
This is a personal or religious choice, not a requirement for salvation in Christianity.
Romans 14:3 says:
“The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does.”
So whether you eat chicken or not, don’t judge others. It’s a matter of personal conviction.
What Does This Mean for Christians Today?
Here’s a simple summary:
- Chicken is not unclean in the Bible.
- The Old Testament laws don’t apply to Christians under the New Covenant.
- You can eat chicken with a clear conscience.
- What matters most is faith, love, and obedience, not food.