What Is a Poussin?

A poussin is a very young chicken, typically slaughtered at around 28 days old and weighing between 400 and 600 grams. Because it is so small, it cooks significantly faster than a standard roasting chicken - usually under 20 minutes for a crown in a hot oven. The meat is tender and delicate, with a milder flavour than a mature bird. Poussin is commonly found in French and British classical cookery. It is sold whole and must be butchered before cooking; the crown specifically is the two breasts left on the bone after the legs, wings and carcass base are removed.