Sources

The best ingredients, provided by our network of trusted farmers.

A Taste of Excellence: Citarella Chicken

At Citarella, we believe that knowledge is power—and it’s important to know (and trust) where your food comes from. Which is why we put the utmost care into sourcing our chicken. Over the years, we’ve gone through a rigorous vetting process to partner with family-owned farms who set the standard for quality, freshness, and taste. The result? Three exceptional varieties:

Antibiotic-Free
The classic Citarella chicken, locally grown and sourced from small Amish and Mennonite family farms in Pennsylvania. It’s vegetarian-fed, G.A.P (Global Animal Partnership) Level 2-certified, gluten-free, and all-natural—aka, minimally processed, with no artificial ingredients. That means no antibiotics. No growth hormones. Just high-quality meat.

Organic
These free-range chickens are Certified Humane, G.A.P. Level 3-certified, and Non-GMO Project-verified. We source them from a family-owned business that’s been raising poultry for three generations in California—and that level of care is apparent in every single cut. 

Like our Antibiotic-Free line, this chicken is vegetarian-fed and gluten-free. It’s also air-chilled (as opposed to water-chilled) to help reduce moisture absorption and dry out the skin. The result? Flavorful meat, and skin that cooks up to a gorgeous, crispy golden-brown.

Heirloom
Our all-natural heirloom chickens come from a heritage breed—reminiscent of the French Label Rouge chicken, which was a favorite of Julia Child’s. Their feathers are red, matched by tender pink meat and yellow skin.

They’re pasture-raised on Amish and Mennonite family farms in Lancaster, where they enjoy a 100-percent vegetarian diet. And we’re also proud to say that they’re antibiotic-free, Certified Humane, G.A.P. Level 4-certified, and slow-grown twice as long as conventional chickens. We offer a variety of air-chilled cuts. But if we had to pick, we’d recommend roasting a whole chicken. It makes for a truly unforgettable meal.