Best way to cook 4 year old chicken

[Joski1995]

Any tips on cooking 4 yr old chicken. I know the meat will be tuff. Is there anyway to cook it so it comes out tender. Also any canning tips?

 

[tantricdragon13]

Crock pot?

Stew it up real nice and make enchiladas.

 

[Joski1995]

I d

Crock pot?

Stew it up real nice and make enchiladas. 

i do have a crockpot I haven't used it much. would i need to just cover the meat with water cook on high till it boils then turn it to warm...... for how long?

 

[tantricdragon13]

I d
i do have a crockpot I haven't used it much. would i need to just cover the meat with water cook on high till it boils then turn it to warm...... for how long?

Hmmm...the last chicken I stewed came out super tender (maybe even a little too much so) at 8 hours, though she was not as "mature" as your bird. I would guess the 8 hours (on low) would be perfect for you. Cover with water or even chicken broth, throw in some spices and you're good to go. No need to bring to a boil first. Make sure you have a good slotted spoon - if you throw the bird in whole the bones get loose and tend to fall apart.

Just a side note, this also works fabulous for pork loin shredded burritos. Just sear on cast iron, then throw it in the crock pot with spices and onions.

 

[Joski1995]

Thank

...

Hmmm...the last chicken I stewed came out super tender (maybe even a little too much so) at 8 hours, though she was not as "mature" as your bird. I would guess the 8 hours (on low) would be perfect for you. Cover with water or even chicken broth, throw in some spices and you're good to go. No need to bring to a boil first.  Make sure you have a good slotted spoon - if you throw the bird in whole the bones get loose and tend to fall apart. 

Just a side note, this also works fabulous for pork loin shredded burritos. Just sear on cast iron, then throw it in the crock pot with spices and onions.   
[/qThank you so much!!!!!! I love this forum

 

[donrae]

I did a 4 year old rooster in the pressure cooker, shredded and had enchiladas.

For your bird, I wouldn't cover in liquid, that doesn't make them more tender in the crockpot. I'd maybe add a little liquid to the bottom, wine or such, and lay bacon over the breast.

 

[tantricdragon13]

For your bird, I wouldn't cover in liquid, that doesn't make them more tender in the crockpot. I'd maybe add a little liquid to the bottom, wine or such, and lay bacon over the breast.

Oooohhh.. can't go wrong with bacon.

 

[Elke Beck]

If you want to try canning, this is a good bird to do it with. For me, young, tender birds become almost pasty when they are canned.

I use the raw pack method from one of Ball's books. I think it is Home Canning, but I am at work so I can't check (I am on a break! Geeze!) It is very simple, and the results taste great. Be prepared for the chicken to shrink a lot when you can it raw. Since I use it mostly for a soup starter, having a lot of broth in the jar works for me. If you want to have more meat, then I recommend hot packing instead of raw packing.

You do need a pressure canner to put up chicken.

 

[Joski1995]

That's good to know thanks