Birmingham-based Skinny Butcher, a plant-based brand, has launched a line of restaurant-quality Crazy Crispy Chicken Breasts, Tenders, Nuggets and Patties at Costco Wholesale throughout Michigan, at all Gordon Foodservice Outlets, and at Spartan Nash Corporate. announced that it is now available in shop.
Founded by Dave Zilko, Mike Griffin, and the late Jack Aronson (whose wife Annette is still active in the company to this day), Skinny Butcher sells independent food products through Lipari Foods’ distribution network of more than 700 stores in 27 states. It is also sold in the market.
The alternative chicken line-up began when Aronson adopted a vegan diet after being diagnosed with cancer in 2018. This is around the same time that plant-based food offerings started gaining popularity.
Skinny Butcher uses Aronson, a vegetable fiber strain found in Italy, combined with pea protein, a proprietary spice blend, and a special double breading method to give Skinny Butcher products their signature crunch. . Product does not contain soy or palm oil.
“Skinny Butcher is the crispiest and closest thing to the taste and texture of real fried chicken on the market,” says Zilko. “Our unique double breading process packs a crunch that consumers cannot experience with other breaded chicken or plant-based chicken products.”
The company strives to reduce its carbon footprint with its plant-based products, and its sustainability factor uses 96% less water and less land than real chicken. 97% less and claims to emit 86% less greenhouse gases.
The company’s 8-count, 2-pound boxes of Crazy Crispy Chick’n Breasts sell for $13.99 at Costco. The suggested retail price for a package of Skinny Butcher Crazy Crispy Chicken Nuggets, Tenders, Patties and Breasts is $5.99 at traditional retailers.
Zilko expects the Skinny Butcher product line to be in more than 1,000 Michigan grocery and specialty markets in 2023.