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    Home > Chicken

    Sumptuous Poussin Chicken

    Oct 27, 2023 by Judith Coates · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·Leave a Review

    Small Bird

    This little roast chicken or also known in other cuisines as Cornish hen and is a tasty, easy main dish to prepare for dinner that will make a meal into something special every time you serve it!

    Small whole chicken on white plate with vegetables and sauce.

    Poussin or young chicken, sometimes less commonly called coquelet, is a French butcher's term for a young chicken, less than 28 days old at slaughter and usually weighing 400 – 450 grams (14 – 16 oz) but not above 750 grams (26 oz).

    They are inexpensive in some places. These little birds make a delightful alternative to full grown chicken, being especially young and tender.

    This may not be the case in your area as Cornish Hens which are young male or female chickens despite the name, are sold in many countries and can be quite pricey. Allow one half or one whole poussin per person depending on the size of the bird and appetite of the guests.

    I have more delightful roast chicken recipes for you to enjoy. This Roasted Whole Chicken Recipe is very tasty and so easy to add other vegetables to the pan to make a complete meal. More wonderful chicken recipes below.

    Cook Up These Great Chicken Dishes

    • Sumptuous Coq Au Vin Recipe
    • Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Recipe
    • Heavenly Chicken With Grapes
    • Chicken With Tarragon Recipe
    Print

    📖 Recipe

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    Small whole chicken on white plate with vegetables and sauce.

    Sumptuous Poussin Chicken


    ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

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    • Author: Judith Coates
    • Total Time: 1 hour
    • Yield: 4 1x
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This is a tasty, easy dinner to prepare that will make a meal into something special every time you serve it.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 young chickens - poussin in French or cornish hens (one half to one whole chicken per person depending on the size of the bird and appetite of the diners.)
    • 1 green pepper, seeds removed
    • 1 small bunch of basil
    • 3 tablespoon olive oil or rapeseed oil
    • 4 tomatoes
    • 4 cloves of garlic
    • 50 gram pitted black olives
    • 1 bouquet garnish
    • Salt and pepper

    Instructions

    1. Peel the tomatoes, (the easiest way is to place tomatoes in boiling water for 10 seconds then in cold water to cool down, then the skins will slid off) remove the seeds and chop.
    2. Drain the olives; cut the pepper into strips; peel and crush the cloves of garlic.
    3. Cut the poussin in half lengthways.
    4. Heat 2 tbsps of oil in a casserole dish over a high heat, then brown the poussin for 5 minutes on each side; place to one side and keep warm.
    5. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the casserole dish and fry the peppers gently for 10 minutes.
    6. Wash the basil and add to the casserole dish, together with the garlic, tomatoes, bouquet garni, pepper and a little salt – keep some basil for the garnish.
    7. Add the poussin, cover and leave to cook over a gentle heat for 25 minutes, and then, 10 minutes before the end of cooking, add the olives.
    8. Serve in a dish with the tomato sauce, and sprinkle with basil.
    • Prep Time: 25 minutes
    • Cook Time: 35 minutes
    • Category: dinner
    • Method: stove top
    • Cuisine: French

    Keywords: poussin chicken, coquelet, cornish hen recipe, game hens, French food

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    Make this recipe then please show us by sharing and tagging us @lovefrenchcuisine on Instagram, so we can celebrate with you! 🤩

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    judith-coates-author

    Enchanté, Judith here, owner, home chef, food writer, & creator of this website offering appetizing French cuisine dishes. My goal is to remove all your misconceptions about French food being too finicky or too saucy, it's simply wonderful everyday eating! So, let us get cooking because that is what we are here for!

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    Here at Love French Food we love the diversity of individual people, religions, and cultures of the world. We celebrate the kindness of so many, something that is easy to miss. We try to step softly on our earth as it supports such an amazing array of creatures and landscapes that we want future peoples to enjoy. We financially support WCK, World Central Kitchen, Toronto Humane Society, Birds Canada, Nature Canada, The Heart and Stroke Foundation Of Canada, and our local London, Ontario Hospitals. Let us live and love together!

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