Anyone try cooking a Bresse Chicken?

[vernplum]

Hello!

For Christmas Day, I bought a frozen 1.5kg Bresse Chicken which I've never tried before, expecting great things. I brined it overnight, then did a French-style Poulet Roti (lemon/garlic/herb stuffing).

I wonder if anyone else on CB has tried this chicken? To be honest, it was ok, but I wasn't amazed - I found it to be quite skinny with small breasts (sorry - couldn't think of another way to say that), and had some quite thick chewy tendons in the drumsticks. The thighs were ok and probably the best part of it.

The web says that these chickens have a good meat-to-bones ratio but I found it to be the opposite - a lot of skeleton (which admittedly did make a good stock) with not a super large amount of meat. While I could tell it was different (I would say the flavour 'was earthier') The taste didn't make me think 'this is a 10x chicken' which is the about the order of magnitude in its cost difference - about $70 USD it set me back.

A month ago I had a non-AOC imported corn-fed French chicken for a third of the price which I thought was better tasting and better value than it.

What's your opinion on the Bresse chicken? Should I try again a different way? (ala creme?)

 

[Morning Glory]

I've been tempted to buy one but they are hugely expensive so I've always thought. 'Oh gosh, what if I spend all that money and it isn't that good?' I mean, how good can a chicken be?

So $70 in UK money that is around £50. In Euros its 57€. Big money indeed. I doubt they are available in the USA but not sure. I think the last time I saw one was fresh - and it was around £45.

 

[vernplum]

I doubt they are available in the USA but not sure. I think the last time I saw one was fresh - and it was around £45.

I read that in the US breeders have created what is known as 'American Bresse' apparently, though I expect France is also exporting some over there and charging astronomical prices.

 

[Morning Glory]

Just searched and I can get one delivered frozen for a lot less:

Maybe I will take the plunge!

 

[vernplum]

That seems a bit more reasonable - and that's a whopper - +/- 2kg? If you do get one, let us know what you think and how you cooked it please.

 

[Morning Glory]

That seems a bit more reasonable - and that's a whopper - +/- 2kg? If you do get one, let us know what you think and how you cooked it please.

Of course. I am going to order one for next weekend. I'm nor sure what +/- 2kg means...

 

[ChefBasics]

+/- just means about 2kg, they wont declare exact weight as it varies slightly from animal to animal

 

[Morning Glory]

+/- just means about 2kg, they wont declare exact weight as it varies slightly from animal to animal

Doh! I should have known. Have you ever eaten or cooked one?

 

[ChefBasics]

Doh! I should have known. Have you ever eaten or cooked one?

Yeah many times by request of people with more money than sense. Over rated and over priced. Dont get me wrong, they are nice but I will take a corn fed chicken for 8 quid over these though.

 

[epicuric]

Just searched and I can get one delivered frozen for a lot less:

View attachment 53992

Maybe I will take the plunge!

Is the price per bird, or per kilo?

 

[Morning Glory]

Is the price per bird, or per kilo?

Per bird. At least I'm pretty sure it is...

 

[flyinglentris]

Any real difference in flavor/texture for a free range chicken?

 

[vernplum]

To me, it tasted like any other free range chicken, maybe a bit ‘earthier’. I think my taste buds might not be sophisticated enough to appreciate it yet.

 

[caseydog]

I don't think I could spend that much for a chicken. I'll pay a premium for a USDA Prime steak, or even more for a Wagyu steak, but not for yardbird.

CD

 

[rascal]

Never heard of it and at those prices won't. I've never seen them here. Free range organic are nice birds. I use what the wife gets, she knows my tastes.

Russ