Roaster, fryer, broiler—what’s the difference when it comes to chicken? Actually, knowing the difference will help you serve better meals, because you’re choosing the type of poultry that matches the recipe.

It’s worth knowing!

Most of the chickens raised for meat in America today are from the Cornish (a British breed) and the White Rock (a breed developed in New England). Broiler-fryers, roasters, stewing/baking hens, capons and Rock Cornish hens are all chickens.

The following are definitions for these:

• Broiler-fryer - a young, tender chicken about 7 weeks old that weighs 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 pounds when eviscerated. Cook by any method.
• Rock Cornish Game Hen - a small broiler-fryer weighing between 1 and 2 pounds. Usually stuffed and roasted whole.
• Roaster - an older chicken about 3 to 5 months old that weighs 5 to 7 pounds. It yields more meat per pound than a broiler-fryer. Usually roasted whole.
• Capon - Male chickens about 16 weeks to 8 months old that are surgically unsexed. They weigh about 4 to 7 pounds and have generous quantities of tender, light meat. Usually roasted.
• Stewing/Baking Hen - a mature laying hen 10 months to 1 1/2 years old. Since the meat is less tender than young chickens, it's best used in moist cooking such as stewing.
• Cock or rooster - a mature male chicken with coarse skin and tough, dark meat. Requires long, moist cooking.

So, now that you know your chickens from your roosters, how about planning a nice roast chicken for dinner sometime soon?

Published 04/04/07