Poulet de Racan

Name: Poulet de Racan
Brand: MARCHE DE CHEFS
SKU: FZPRC1700
Price: 45.00 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

£45.00

Loire Valley Free-Range Chicken IQF Frozen

Premium French chicken from Loire Valley's Pays de Racan featuring distinctive blue-legged hens raised outdoors on non-GMO cereals and wild berries. This exceptional breed develops unique flavour rivalling guinea fowl, prized by Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe for its firm, succulent meat and superior quality.

Premium French chicken from the Loire Valley, featuring distinctive white hens with blue legs born and raised outdoors in the picturesque Pays de Racan. Fed on non-GMO cereals and wild berries, these free-range birds develop a unique flavour profile that rivals guinea fowl, prized by gastronomes and featured on Michelin-starred restaurant menus across Europe.

Raised to the highest welfare standards in a natural diet and stress-free environment, Poulet de Racan delivers firm, succulent meat with rich taste and superior texture. The outdoor rearing and natural feeding programme create exceptional quality that sets this breed apart from conventional poultry, making it a favourite among discerning chefs and home cooks who appreciate authentic French poultry excellence.

Producer: Raised in the Pays de Racan region of the Loire Valley, where traditional free-range farming methods and natural feeding programmes maintain the exceptional quality standards that have made this breed renowned among French gastronomy.

Origin: Loire Valley, France

Preparation: All of our poultry is expertly prepared in-house. We process each bird on the day it arrives from France, ensuring maximum freshness. Using traditional trussing techniques, we carefully bind the birds into the ideal shape for oven roasting. This method closes any cavities, promoting even cooking throughout. Please note that these birds are oven-ready and do not include giblets, making them convenient for immediate use in your kitchen.

Frozen Poultry: For optimum freshness, we prepare our poultry immediately upon arrival from our suppliers. Each bird is carefully wrapped and rapidly frozen to -30°C using a blast freezer. This advanced quick-freezing method prevents the formation of ice crystals within the meat, ensuring the bird remains in perfect condition when defrosted. As a result, you can expect exceptional quality and cooking results, preserving the premium taste and texture of our Poultry.

Net: 1.7kg±

Preparation: Remove from freezer and defrost slowly in refrigerator for 24-48 hours depending on size. Remove from packaging and pat completely dry with kitchen paper. Bring to room temperature for 30-45 minutes before cooking for even results.

Whole Roast (recommended): Preheat oven to 180°C. Season generously inside and out with salt and pepper. Stuff cavity with lemon halves, fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, or tarragon), and a knob of butter. Truss if not already done to ensure even cooking. Place breast-side up in roasting tin and roast for approximately 20 minutes per 500g plus additional 20 minutes. Baste every 20-30 minutes with pan juices.

Temperature guide: Internal temperature should reach 74°C at the thickest part of the thigh. Juices should run clear when pierced. If browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil.

Jointed cooking: Cut into portions and pan-fry skin-side down in heavy pan for 6-8 minutes until golden, then turn and finish in 180°C oven for 15-20 minutes. Perfect for coq au vin or fricassee preparations.

Slow roasting: For ultimate tenderness, roast at 160°C for longer — approximately 25 minutes per 500g. This gentler approach preserves the meat's natural moisture whilst developing exceptional flavour.

Resting: Always rest the bird for 10-15 minutes after cooking, loosely covered with foil. This redistributes juices throughout the meat for optimal texture.

Serving suggestions: The rich flavour pairs beautifully with seasonal vegetables, roasted root vegetables, or classic French accompaniments like dauphinoise potatoes. The natural cooking juices make an excellent gravy base.

Order Cut-Off Times & Delivery Date Selection

Orders placed before 2 PM (Monday to Friday) are dispatched the same day, unless you select a future delivery date at checkout.

Our Delivery Service

We use reliable third-party express courier services and high-quality insulated packaging. While our couriers are generally excellent, occasional delays can happen. We pack everything to stay fresh, even if transit takes a little longer.

Time-Sensitive & Event Orders

Can we guarantee delivery on a specific day? Unfortunately not - we rely on third-party couriers and can't control their schedules. All items leave us in perfect condition with good use-by dates, but final timing depends on the courier.

If your order is for a specific event, let us know in the notes section at checkout. We can often dispatch a day earlier to give you the best chance of timely arrival.

DELIVERY Changes After Dispatch

Once dispatched, your package is with the courier and we're unable to redirect it or change delivery details.

Saturday Delivery

Saturday delivery is available, though please note our couriers don't operate phone support at weekends and our office is closed. For event-critical orders, a weekday delivery gives us more flexibility to help if any issues arise.

Full delivery details and shipping rates: here

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